Our Beliefs
Theological Statement
As an organization, the Upstream Collective affirms the Nicene Creed, the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy, and the Lausanne Covenant, as well as the theological statement below. Our organization, staff members, and church partners are evangelical* in conviction and belief, gospel-centered, missionally driven, and committed to the gospel reaching every people group and place on earth.
The Upstream Collective is not denominationally-affiliated and encompasses a diversity of churches and cultures in its sending network—all aligned under the aforementioned creeds and statements and the following theological statement.**
Scripture
The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of himself, consisting of 66 books found in the Old and New Testaments. It is infallible, trustworthy, supremely authoritative, and effective in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Psalm 19:7; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 7:24-29).
Sin
The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, sinfully rebelled against God, became spiritually dead, and incurred God’s just wrath. Their sin nature and its consequences has thus been passed down to every human being, rendering them in need of salvation. Apart from a person’s conscious repentance and faith in Jesus and his work on the cross, there can be no salvation from sin and eternal death (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-13; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:23; Matthew 7:13-14)
The Triune God
We believe in one God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
​​
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became a man through virgin birth, lived a sinless life, performed divine miracles, died on a cross, was buried, and physically rose from the grave to redeem sinful humanity. He ascended to heaven, is mediating on our behalf, and will one day return in power and glory (John 1:14; 1 Peter 2:21-22; Acts 4:10; Philippians 2:7-11; Luke 23:26-24: 53; Acts 1:6-11).
​​
We believe the Holy Spirit is the eternal Lord who applies salvation to sinful people: regenerating, indwelling, sanctifying, empowering, and sealing them until the day of Christ’s return (John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 5:18).
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to humanity by grace alone, and received through personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It was accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ to pay the penalty for sin, satisfy the wrath of God, and regenerate to new life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:4-9; Acts 2:38; John 6:37-40; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 5:1-11; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:1-8).
Church
We believe the church is a spiritual family made up of all those who follow Jesus everywhere for all time. The church consists of diverse members—different nationalities, ethnicities, languages, walks of life, and spiritual giftedness—who joyfully live and serve under the headship of their Chief Shepherd.
The establishment of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament. Local churches are visible flocks of those reconciled to God, and to one another, by Jesus Christ. Healthy churches gather together for regular worship and community; teach God’s authoritative Word; are under the leadership of God’s undershepherds, pastors/elders; served by deacons (lead servants); practicing the ordinances of baptism and communion; and living out the mission given to them in the Great Commission (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).
Human Gender & Sexuality
We believe that God created human beings in his own image. All people possess intrinsic dignity and worth. We also believe that God created human beings male and female. Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of God’s particular gift of human embodiment. Moreover, we believe that God created humanity for relationship—relationship with God and relationship with one another (Genesis 1:26-31; 1 John 1:1-4).
We believe that marriage—the union of one man and woman in a covenant union—ultimately serves as a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. The Bible limits sexual intimacy to the marriage relationship between one husband and one wife. All other forms of sexual desire and intimacy are a result of the fall and contrary to God’s good design (Ephesians 5:21-33; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Romans 1:26-27).
Missions
We believe that God has given his church a mission to fulfill in the world as seen in the Great Commission and the grand narrative of Scripture—to fill the earth with God’s glory by making disciples and planting churches among all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Christ commanded (Habakkuk 2:14; Malachi 1:11; Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8).
The mission God has given his church is rooted in God himself. Because God is a sending God, we as his children are a sent people. The Father, in union with the Spirit, sent Jesus into the world to redeem it. The Father and Son sent the Spirit to bring conviction of sin and provide life to the church. Finally, the Triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit) sends the church out on mission to the world. Therefore, all followers of Jesus are sent ones, compelled and empowered to take the gospel out to others, and some are called and affirmed to be cross-cultural missionaries (John 20:19-21; Acts 13:1-4; Acts 14:26-28).
Restoration
We believe Jesus Christ will return to earth in power and glory. At Christ’s return, all people will be resurrected to give account of their lives before God. Followers of Jesus will be resurrected to everlasting life and joy in the presence of God. Those who have not turned from their sins to follow Jesus in this life will be resurrected to judgment and everlasting punishment in hell. When Jesus comes again, he will make all things right. He will fully establish his kingdom and his followers will live forever with the triune God in the new heaven and new earth (Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 21:1-8; Revelation 22:20).
​​​
*By “evangelical” we are referring to a broad movement of churches holding to salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, an authoritative and infallible view of the Bible, and the proclamation of the gospel.
**This theological statement has been written with the help of Gregg Allison, Bradley Bell, Nathan Sloan, and Hari Chhetri. A host of others provided insight and editing. The framework and language have been modeled after and at times adapted from other organizations’ statements of faith including The Gospel Coalition, Harbor Network, Pioneers, Serge, TEAM, and Sojourn Church Midtown.