Church Inclusion
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Church Inclusion Policy for OregonChurch.net
OregonChurch.net exists to help both Christians and non-Christians find welcoming churches where Jesus Christ is clearly at the center of faith and worship. The goal is to connect visitors with congregations that share the historic Christian message, honor the Bible as God’s Word, and see themselves as part of the wider body of Christ—different in expression, yet united in purpose. Churches listed on the site should welcome all who seek God without implying that salvation depends on joining their particular denomination.
Churches that claim a special revelation, exclusive authority, or superior standing among Christians are not included. This includes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and denominations such as the Seventh-day Adventists whose theology identifies themselves as the sole “remnant” of true believers. While such groups may use Christian language, their belief that other churches are spiritually deficient conflicts with OregonChurch.net’s mission of unity within biblical Christianity.
Movements that promote “many paths to God,” such as Unitarian, pantheistic, or New Age–influenced churches, are also excluded, as the directory focuses on congregations whose worship centers specifically on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Such teachings invariably water down the uniqueness of Jesus and deny His exclusive saving power.
Churches that deny the Trinity are also excluded from this directory. There are legitimate arguments from those who emphasize Jesus’s humanity in order to elevate the worship of the Father as God, especially Jesus's own words in the Gospel. However, there is a profound mystery in the divine nature of Jesus—including Jesus's own words in the Gospel—and the Trinitarian formulation remains the most faithful way to acknowledge that truth. This perspective does not prevent a Christian from focusing on Jesus’s humanity as part of their relationship with Jesus and worship of God, but to officially proclaim an anti-Trinitarian position is to deny the mystery that clearly exists and to separate oneself from the unity shared by the vast majority of Christians throughout history.
Catholic and Orthodox churches are included as they represent some of the most ancient and historically rooted branches of Christianity and share core beliefs in Christ’s divinity, the Trinity, and Scripture as sacred. The Catholic Church, in particular, affirms that non-Catholic Christians are “brothers and sisters in Christ,” reflecting a spirit of shared faith. Orthodox congregations are also included at this time, recognizing their rich heritage and deep continuity with early Christianity; however, if a specific Orthodox body presents itself as the only true expression of faith and discourages fellowship with other believers, its inclusion may be reconsidered in the future.
In summary, OregonChurch.net features churches that share faith in Jesus Christ, uphold the authority of Scripture, warmly welcome visitors who wish to know Jesus, and do not intimidate visitors with a policy that their salvation is better than someone else's from a different denomination.