This was last updated on May 5, 2026.
LILY'S CHURCH THEOLOGY & PRACTICES
Theology of Lily's Church
Scripture
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. They are the final and sufficient rule for faith, life, and practice, revealing God’s character, His saving work in Christ, and His will for His people.
Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12.
God
We confess one eternal, almighty, and sovereign God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally in three co-equal and coeternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune God is perfect in holiness, justice, wisdom, and love.
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5–6; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is both fully God and fully man. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, revealed the Father, died on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners, rose bodily on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return in power and glory to judge and reign.
Scriptures: John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:9–11.
Salvation
Salvation is the gift of God’s grace, received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. By His death and resurrection, Christ accomplished forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life for all who trust in Him. Salvation cannot be earned by works, but is wholly of grace, produced by the power of the Holy Spirit a transformed life of obedience and discipleship in those who trust in Christ.
Scriptures: Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 3:19; Romans 3:23–26; Titus 3:5–7.
The Church
The universal Church is the body of Christ, composed of all believers across time and nations, joined to Him as the Head. This body finds local expression in congregations that gather under Christ’s authority to worship, proclaim the gospel, practice the sacraments, exercise discipline, and serve one another and the world.
Scriptures: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22–23; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, making them temples of God. He convicts of sin, regenerates, sanctifies, empowers for witness, and bestows gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. The Spirit leads the Church into truth and equips her for mission until Christ returns.
Scriptures: John 14:16–17; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Galatians 5:22–23.
Restoration
We affirm the bodily resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous: eternal life in the presence of God for the redeemed, and eternal judgment apart from God for the unrepentant. Christ’s return will bring about the consummation of His kingdom and the renewal of creation.
Scriptures: John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Revelation 20:11–15; Revelation 21:1–5.
Marriage
We believe marriage is a covenant instituted by God between one man and one woman, designed for companionship, mutual help, procreation, and as a living parable of Christ’s sacrificial love for His Church.
Scriptures: Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4.
Divorce & Remarriage
We affirm that God hates divorce, for marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant. Yet Scripture permits divorce in cases of sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. Remarriage is permissible under these biblical grounds, but always approached with prayer, pastoral care, and accountability in the Church.
Scriptures: Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15.
Parents & Discipleship
We believe that parents bear the primary responsibility for the discipleship of their children, with the support of family and church to equip, support, and encourage them in this God-given calling.Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5.
Practices of Lily's Church
Leadership Offices
We believe that Christ has given leadership gifts and offices to build up His Church: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors/Teachers, and Deacons. These offices are entrusted to both men and women, as the Spirit distributes gifts without partiality. We affirm the full participation of women in every leadership office. We recognize that the terms Pastors, Teachers, Elders, and Overseers in Scripture describe the same role of caring for and teaching the local flock. Scripture also models shared, plural leadership—a pattern that strengthens accountability, nurtures unity, and equips the saints for ministry. Wherever possible, we encourage plurality within each leadership role so that no single person carries the burden alone, and so that Christ’s body is built up through mutual submission and service. Ephesians 4:11–13; Philippians 1:1; Acts 13:1–3; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4.
Baptism
We believe baptism is commanded by Christ as an outward sign of inward faith, testifying to repentance, forgiveness, and union with Him. Immersion symbolizes participation in Christ’s death and resurrection—dying to sin and rising to new life. Baptism is administered to those who personally confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12.
Apprenticeship
We believe the biblical pattern for forming leaders is apprenticeship—combining teaching in sound doctrine with hands-on ministry and imitation of godly examples. This pattern is seen in Moses with Joshua, Elijah with Elisha, Jesus with His disciples, and Paul with Timothy. Gardens in Exile commits to training leaders through this holistic pattern of life-on-life apprenticeship. Deuteronomy 31:7–8; 2 Kings 2:1–15; Mark 3:13–15; 2 Timothy 2:2; Philippians 3:17.
Generosity
We believe giving in Christ is not bound to Old Covenant tithing but flows freely from grace. The people of God are called to Spirit-led generosity, giving cheerfully, sacrificially, and abundantly to care for the poor, support the Church, and advance the gospel. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; Acts 4:32–35; 1 Timothy 6:17–19.
Free Ministry
We reject the commercialization of the gospel. Ministry is to be offered freely as an act of service, not for profit. Just as Christ commanded His disciples to give freely what they had received, so we offer teaching, preaching, and service without charge, trusting God to provide through His people. Matthew 10:8; Acts 20:33–35; 1 Peter 5:2.
The Gathering of the Saints
We believe the regular in person gathering of believers is essential to the life of the Church. In gathering, the whole family of God—adults, youth, and children—worships together through teaching, prayer, fellowship, and the breaking of bread, both in meals and in the Lord’s Supper. Gathering is a testimony of our unity in Christ and must not be neglected. Acts 2:42 47; Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
Politics & Exiles
We confess that God’s people are exiles and sojourners in this world, awaiting the new creation where Christ reigns forever. Our ultimate allegiance is not to earthly nations or political systems but to Jesus Christ as Lord. As exiles, we seek the good of the places where we live, honour governing authorities, and live as witnesses of Christ’s kingdom, embodying humility, holiness, and hope. The Church's mission is to make disciples of the Nations, not turn Nations into Christian States. 1 Peter 2:11 12; Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 13:1–7; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 21:1–5.