Timbers Statement of Faith
The following is the foundation of beliefs on which Timbers is based. They will be unapologetically taught in various ways through all grade levels. Secondary or divisive doctrines and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When these types of doctrine or issues arise, they will be referred back to the family and local churches for final authority.
1. We believe the Bible alone to be the Word of God, the ultimate and infallible authority for faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is omnipotent; that is, He can do all things. He is omnipresent; that is, He is present to all creation, and has under His immediate authority all things which are in Heaven, in the earth, and under the earth. He is omniscient; that is, He knows all things. He readily exercises His power which is present everywhere, and to Him there is nothing that is impossible or unknown, that is, He knows what has been from eternity, what now takes place everywhere, and what will be to all eternity.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that, for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary.
5. We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone.
6. We believe that faith without works is dead.
7. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
8. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved to the resurrection of life, and those that are lost to the resurrection of damnation.
9. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
SECONDARY DOCTRINE
These guidelines apply to all Timbers teachers in their capacity as teachers at Timbers.
Secondary doctrine: eschatology, baptism (infant vs. adult), and Calvinistic vs. Arminian soteriology.
1. Classroom discussion of secondary doctrine should be on an informative, non-partisan level. Teachers must honor and defer to parents if these topics arise.
2. Presentation of all sides of an issue is encouraged.
3. The teacher should encourage the students to follow up any questions they have with their parents and pastor.
STATEMENT ON GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably created each person as distinctly male or female (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:18-25; 5:1, 2). These two distinct and complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. To reject one's biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person and is a sin against God. We believe that marriage was created and sanctioned by God in which God joins one man and one woman in a single and exclusive union. (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Any form of sexual intimacy outside of marriage is immoral and is a sin against God. (1 Cor. 6:15-7:6; Eph. 5:3-7) Sexual immorality includes, but is not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, and pornography.
STATEMENT ON SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.)
STATEMENT ON FINAL AUTHORITY FOR MATTERS OF BELIEF AND CONDUCT
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Timbers Co-Op faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Nine Mile Falls Community Church board is the final interpretive authority on the Bible's application. The Nine Mile Falls Community Church Doctrine, can be found in full at www.ninemilechurch.com/what-we-believe.html
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Although most Christian schools would agree on certain fundamentals, it is imperative that parents scrutinize the foundational beliefs of any school in which they may enroll their child. Therefore, below are the most important philosophical elements that we at Timbers Co-Op believe distinguish our approach to education. We believe that the Bible clearly instructs parents, not the church or state, to "bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." The church's commission is essentially to spread the Gospel and train believers (Matt.28:18-20). The state has been directed to enforce God's laws and protect the innocent (Romans 13). The church trains parents and the state protects families. The family raises and educates children (Eph.6:1-4). Therefore, under the delegation of the family, we seek to teach and discipline in a manner consistent with the Bible and a godly home environment. We believe that God's character is revealed not only in His Word but also in every facet of the creation.
Admission Procedures
Upon completion of the application, an interview with the family will be arranged with the director. Entrance exams are administered to new students in K - 8* grade. The director will make the admissions decision. Admission Requirements for the Student: A child must be four years old by June 1 of the fall in which he would be entering Preschool (five years for Kindergarten, six years for Ist grade, etc.). Based on the entrance exam, some transfer students are admitted to a lower grade than was anticipated. Our goal is the long-term success of the student in an academic environment as opposed to automatic promotion based on age. We will not accept any student less than fifteen years of age if it requires that student to board with another family for an extended period of time.
Admission Requirements for the Parents:
At least one parent of each applicant must profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, express belief in and agreement to the Timbers Co-Op statement of faith, and consistently attend a local Christian church. In addition to this, parents should have a clear understanding of the Biblical philosophy and purpose of Timbers. This understanding includes a willingness to have their child exposed to the clear teaching (not forced indoctrination) of the school's Statement of Faith in various and frequent ways within the school's program. The parents should be willing to cooperate with all the written policies of Timbers Co-Op.
Learning Disabilities
Children with a severe learning disability may not be admitted to Timbers due to the lack of adequate staff, funding, and facilities. Children with a severe learning disability may not be admitted to Timbers due to the lack of adequate staff, funding, and facilities. However, discussion with families will help us make the final decision.
Sexual Education
Due to thE extremely sensitive and intimate nature of human sexual relations, discussion and instruction on this topic generally will be limited to human reproduction in biology (5* and 10h grades), and biblical principles and references, as they arise in appropriate class contexts. All other instruction on this topic will take place at home. As a support and extension of the family unit, Timbers considers the family to be of first importance to a
child. Therefore, we are continually seeking ways to actively involve parents in the school.
The following is the foundation of beliefs on which Timbers is based. They will be unapologetically taught in various ways through all grade levels. Secondary or divisive doctrines and issues will not be presented as primary doctrine. When these types of doctrine or issues arise, they will be referred back to the family and local churches for final authority.
1. We believe the Bible alone to be the Word of God, the ultimate and infallible authority for faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is omnipotent; that is, He can do all things. He is omnipresent; that is, He is present to all creation, and has under His immediate authority all things which are in Heaven, in the earth, and under the earth. He is omniscient; that is, He knows all things. He readily exercises His power which is present everywhere, and to Him there is nothing that is impossible or unknown, that is, He knows what has been from eternity, what now takes place everywhere, and what will be to all eternity.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that, for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary.
5. We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone.
6. We believe that faith without works is dead.
7. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
8. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those that are saved to the resurrection of life, and those that are lost to the resurrection of damnation.
9. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
SECONDARY DOCTRINE
These guidelines apply to all Timbers teachers in their capacity as teachers at Timbers.
Secondary doctrine: eschatology, baptism (infant vs. adult), and Calvinistic vs. Arminian soteriology.
1. Classroom discussion of secondary doctrine should be on an informative, non-partisan level. Teachers must honor and defer to parents if these topics arise.
2. Presentation of all sides of an issue is encouraged.
3. The teacher should encourage the students to follow up any questions they have with their parents and pastor.
STATEMENT ON GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND SEXUALITY
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably created each person as distinctly male or female (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:18-25; 5:1, 2). These two distinct and complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. To reject one's biological gender is a rejection of the image of God within that person and is a sin against God. We believe that marriage was created and sanctioned by God in which God joins one man and one woman in a single and exclusive union. (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Any form of sexual intimacy outside of marriage is immoral and is a sin against God. (1 Cor. 6:15-7:6; Eph. 5:3-7) Sexual immorality includes, but is not limited to adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, and pornography.
STATEMENT ON SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps. 139.)
STATEMENT ON FINAL AUTHORITY FOR MATTERS OF BELIEF AND CONDUCT
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Timbers Co-Op faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the Nine Mile Falls Community Church board is the final interpretive authority on the Bible's application. The Nine Mile Falls Community Church Doctrine, can be found in full at www.ninemilechurch.com/what-we-believe.html
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Although most Christian schools would agree on certain fundamentals, it is imperative that parents scrutinize the foundational beliefs of any school in which they may enroll their child. Therefore, below are the most important philosophical elements that we at Timbers Co-Op believe distinguish our approach to education. We believe that the Bible clearly instructs parents, not the church or state, to "bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." The church's commission is essentially to spread the Gospel and train believers (Matt.28:18-20). The state has been directed to enforce God's laws and protect the innocent (Romans 13). The church trains parents and the state protects families. The family raises and educates children (Eph.6:1-4). Therefore, under the delegation of the family, we seek to teach and discipline in a manner consistent with the Bible and a godly home environment. We believe that God's character is revealed not only in His Word but also in every facet of the creation.
Admission Procedures
Upon completion of the application, an interview with the family will be arranged with the director. Entrance exams are administered to new students in K - 8* grade. The director will make the admissions decision. Admission Requirements for the Student: A child must be four years old by June 1 of the fall in which he would be entering Preschool (five years for Kindergarten, six years for Ist grade, etc.). Based on the entrance exam, some transfer students are admitted to a lower grade than was anticipated. Our goal is the long-term success of the student in an academic environment as opposed to automatic promotion based on age. We will not accept any student less than fifteen years of age if it requires that student to board with another family for an extended period of time.
Admission Requirements for the Parents:
At least one parent of each applicant must profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, express belief in and agreement to the Timbers Co-Op statement of faith, and consistently attend a local Christian church. In addition to this, parents should have a clear understanding of the Biblical philosophy and purpose of Timbers. This understanding includes a willingness to have their child exposed to the clear teaching (not forced indoctrination) of the school's Statement of Faith in various and frequent ways within the school's program. The parents should be willing to cooperate with all the written policies of Timbers Co-Op.
Learning Disabilities
Children with a severe learning disability may not be admitted to Timbers due to the lack of adequate staff, funding, and facilities. Children with a severe learning disability may not be admitted to Timbers due to the lack of adequate staff, funding, and facilities. However, discussion with families will help us make the final decision.
Sexual Education
Due to thE extremely sensitive and intimate nature of human sexual relations, discussion and instruction on this topic generally will be limited to human reproduction in biology (5* and 10h grades), and biblical principles and references, as they arise in appropriate class contexts. All other instruction on this topic will take place at home. As a support and extension of the family unit, Timbers considers the family to be of first importance to a
child. Therefore, we are continually seeking ways to actively involve parents in the school.
Photo from chimpwithcan