We believe every person is made in the image of God and carries sacred worth and dignity.

Genesis 1:26–27; James 3:9

Because of that, Summit believes unborn life matters deeply. We believe the unborn should be protected, valued, and treated as human life worthy of care.

Psalm 139:13–16; Job 31:15; Luke 1:41–44

At the same time, we also believe women matter deeply. We do not want to speak about abortion in ways that ignore the fear, pressure, trauma, complexity, or pain many women experience. Some women face overwhelming circumstances, lack support, carry shame, or have been wounded by others. We want to respond with compassion, truth, and practical care.

Matthew 9:36; Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2; 1 John 3:17–18

Our desire is not to control people politically or reduce this conversation to a culture-war issue. Our desire is to reflect the heart of Jesus by advocating for both women and the unborn.

Micah 6:8; Proverbs 31:8–9; Matthew 22:37–39

We believe the church should be a place where life is honored, women are supported, men take responsibility, families are strengthened, and people facing difficult decisions are met with dignity, love, and help.

James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 5:25; 6:4; Colossians 3:12–14

We also recognize that many people carry pain connected to abortion. If abortion is part of your story, we want you to know that shame does not have the final word. Jesus offers mercy, healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

Psalm 147:3; Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Summit seeks to hold this conviction with humility and compassion. We want to protect life, care for women, support families, and walk with people toward hope and healing in Jesus.

Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 3:12–14; 1 Peter 3:15–16

We believe followers of Jesus should live with wisdom, self-control, love for others, and sensitivity to conscience.

Ephesians 5:15–18; Galatians 5:13; Romans 14:13

Summit does not teach that all alcohol use is sinful. However, Scripture clearly treats drunkenness, addiction, recklessness, and the misuse of freedom in ways that harm ourselves or others as sin.

1 Timothy 5:23; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:19–21; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23–24

Because we want to create a welcoming, wise, and distraction-free environment for ministry, Summit is a dry campus. Alcohol is not served or consumed at official Summit gatherings or on Summit property.

Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31–33

Faithful Christians may reach different personal convictions on alcohol. We encourage people to make wise, Spirit-led decisions that honor Jesus, protect others, and reflect maturity.

Romans 14:2–4, 21–22; 1 Corinthians 10:23–24, 31; Galatians 5:22–23

We believe baptism is an important act of obedience for followers of Jesus.

Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 2:38, 41

Summit practices believer’s baptism by immersion. Baptism publicly identifies a person with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and celebrates the new life we receive through Him.

Acts 8:12, 36–39; Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12

We recognize that faithful Christians differ on the timing, mode, and meaning of baptism. While our church practices believer’s baptism, we want to approach this conversation with humility and charity toward the broader body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1–6; Colossians 3:12–14

We believe communion is a sacred practice given by Jesus to His Church.

Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

When we take communion, we remember Christ’s death, proclaim the gospel, examine our hearts, and celebrate our unity in Him.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:26–29

Summit welcomes followers of Jesus to participate in communion. We recognize that faithful Christians differ on exactly how Christ is present in communion, but we agree that this practice should be received with reverence, gratitude, and faith.

Acts 2:41–42; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:27–29

Summit is an elder-led church.

Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5

We believe qualified elders are called to shepherd, guard, teach, and lead the church under the authority of Jesus, who is the true head of the Church.

Acts 20:28–31; Titus 1:7–9; 1 Timothy 5:17; Colossians 1:18

Elder leadership is not about status or control. It is about responsibility, accountability, humility, and care.

1 Peter 5:1–4; Hebrews 13:17

We believe healthy leadership should reflect the character of Jesus and should never be used to manipulate, shame, or control people.

Mark 10:42–45; 1 Peter 5:2–3

We believe God is the Creator of all things and that creation is good because it comes from Him.

Genesis 1:1, 31; Colossians 1:16–17

We believe humanity is uniquely made in the image of God and that Adam and Eve were real historical people who play a meaningful role in the biblical story of creation, sin, and redemption.

Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2–3; Romans 5:12, 18–19; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22; 2 Corinthians 11:3

Faithful Christians differ on the age of the earth, the length of the creation days, the mechanisms of creation, and how to understand the relationship between Scripture and science.

Summit does not require agreement on one specific creation model. We affirm that God created, humanity bears God’s image, Adam and Eve are historical, sin has corrupted the world, and God is redeeming and restoring all things through Jesus.

Genesis 1:1, 26–31; Romans 5:12, 18–19; Colossians 1:16–20; Revelation 21:5

We believe marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to reflect faithfulness, love, sacrifice, and unity.

Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14; Ephesians 5:25

Because of that, Summit does not approach divorce casually. We believe God’s desire is for marriages to be marked by faithfulness, repentance, forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation wherever possible.

Matthew 19:4–8; 1 Corinthians 7:10–11; Romans 12:18

Scripture explicitly recognizes circumstances such as sexual immorality and abandonment in discussions of divorce. We also believe abuse, violence, and danger must never be minimized, and that protecting people from harm may require immediate separation and careful pastoral, legal, and professional intervention.

Matthew 19:8–9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:19; Psalm 82:3–4

We do not believe anyone should be pressured to remain in an unsafe or destructive situation. Protecting the vulnerable matters deeply.

Psalm 82:3–4; Proverbs 27:12

When divorce has occurred, remarriage requires wisdom, honesty, repentance where needed, pastoral care, and careful discernment. We do not treat every situation the same because every story involves real people, real pain, and real complexity.

Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:10–15, 39; Galatians 6:1–2

Our desire is to honor the covenant of marriage, pursue reconciliation where it is possible and safe, protect people from harm, and walk with individuals and families toward healing, restoration, and faithfulness to Jesus.

Romans 12:18; Galatians 6:1–2; Ephesians 4:31–32

We believe Jesus will return, evil will be judged, the dead will be raised, and God will restore all things.

Acts 1:10–11; John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 21:1–5

Faithful Christians differ on many details related to the millennium, tribulation, rapture, Israel and the church, and the timeline of Revelation.

Matthew 24:21, 29–31; Romans 11:1–2, 25–29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 20:1–6

Summit does not require agreement on a detailed end-times system. We hold these details with humility while remaining anchored in the central Christian hope: Jesus is coming again, and He will make all things new.

Titus 2:13; Revelation 21:1–5; Revelation 22:20

We believe everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and followers of Jesus are called to steward their time, talents, influence, opportunities, and resources for His glory.

Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:11–14; Ephesians 5:15–16; 1 Peter 4:10

Giving is an expression of worship and trust. It is one way we acknowledge God's ownership, place Him first, and participate in His mission.

Proverbs 3:9; Philippians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 9:12

In Scripture, tithing refers to giving a tenth, or ten percent, and was one of the ways God’s people financially supported worship, ministry, and care for those in need. Faithful Christians place different emphases on how tithing applies under the New Covenant, but we believe it remains a helpful biblical benchmark for consistent and proportional generosity.

Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21; Deuteronomy 14:22, 28–29; 1 Corinthians 16:2

At the same time, we believe the New Testament calls followers of Jesus beyond mere percentages toward lives marked by joyful, sacrificial, and Spirit-led generosity. The question is not simply, “How much should I give?” but, “How can I faithfully steward everything God has entrusted to me?”

2 Corinthians 8:2–3, 9, 12; 9:6–8

As 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches, giving should not come from pressure or reluctance, but from a willing and grateful heart.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Generosity is about more than money. It includes serving others, using our gifts, investing our time, caring for those in need, and faithfully stewarding every opportunity God provides.

Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 4:10

We encourage every believer to grow in generosity, support the mission of Jesus, care for those in need, and use their resources in a way that reflects the heart of God.

Acts 4:34–35; 2 Corinthians 9:10–12; 1 John 3:17–18

Every gift entrusted to the church should be handled with integrity, transparency, and accountability, and giving should never be motivated by guilt, fear, or manipulation.

2 Corinthians 8:20–21; 9:7; 1 Peter 5:2

At Summit, we do not teach that giving ten percent guarantees financial blessing. We do not teach that Christians who give less than ten percent are automatically living in sin.

Luke 12:15; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7; 1 Timothy 6:5–6

Our desire is to help people become faithful stewards who increasingly reflect the generosity of God in every area of life.

2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Peter 4:10

We believe Scripture should shape what we teach, not merely support what we already want to say.

2 Timothy 3:16–17; 4:2–4

At Summit, our teaching is often “expositopical.” Expository teaching begins with a biblical text and lets the meaning of that text drive the message. Topical teaching begins with a subject or question and brings together biblical truth related to it. Expositopical teaching combines the two: we may begin with a topic, question, or theme, but we anchor the message in a primary passage of Scripture and seek to let that passage shape what we say.

Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2

We value both biblical depth and real-life application. Our goal is not simply to give information, inspiration, or advice. Our goal is to help people understand Scripture, see Jesus more clearly, and follow Him faithfully where they live, work, study, and play.

Matthew 7:24; 28:19–20; James 1:22–25; Colossians 1:28

Sometimes we teach through books of the Bible. Sometimes we teach through themes or topics. But in every case, we want Scripture to set the agenda, shape the message, and form us into people who live like Jesus.

Acts 20:27; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16–17

We believe Jesus is Lord over every part of life, including how we think about justice, power, citizenship, and public life.

Colossians 1:16–18; Micah 6:8; 1 Peter 2:13–17

At the same time, Summit is not aligned with any political party. Our allegiance to Jesus must be deeper than our allegiance to any earthly nation, party, ideology, or platform.

Mark 12:17; Acts 5:29; Philippians 3:20

Faithful Christians may reach different conclusions about many specific policies and political strategies. We want to engage culture with biblical conviction, humility, courage, and love.

Micah 6:8; Romans 14:1–4; Ephesians 4:1–3

Our goal is not to form people into a political tribe. Our goal is to form people into the likeness of Jesus.

Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:20

We believe every person is made in the image of God and should be treated with dignity, compassion, honesty, and love.

Genesis 1:27; James 3:9–10; Ephesians 4:15

Summit holds to the historic Christian view that marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman, and that sexual intimacy is designed by God for that covenant.

Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5

We understand male and female embodiment as a meaningful part of God’s created design. At the same time, we recognize that questions surrounding sexuality and gender can be deeply personal and complex.

Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4

We recognize that some thoughtful Christians interpret Scripture differently on these issues. Our current position reflects our elders’ best understanding of Scripture and guides our teaching, leadership, and pastoral care.

1 Peter 3:15–16; Acts 20:27

People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or who have questions about sexuality and gender, are people to know and love—not projects, political issues, or problems to solve. Every person is welcome to move toward Jesus in community with us.

Mark 2:15–17; Romans 15:7

We will not mock, shame, demean, or dehumanize people. We will also not hide what we believe. We want to hold conviction and compassion together by speaking the truth in love, with gentleness and respect.

Ephesians 4:15, 29; Colossians 4:5–6; 1 Peter 3:15–16

As people move into leadership, we ask for increasing alignment with Summit’s doctrine, mission, values, positions, and posture.

1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:7–9

We believe the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Church for the purpose of serving others, building up the body of Christ, and advancing the mission of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7; Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Peter 4:10–11

Summit does not believe Scripture gives us reason to conclude that all supernatural gifts have ceased. At the same time, we recognize that faithful Christians disagree about how spiritual gifts function and apply in the Church today. We want to hold our position with humility while remaining open to the work of the Spirit and submitted to Scripture.

1 Corinthians 14:1, 39–40; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22

We believe spiritual gifts should be practiced with humility, order, maturity, discernment, and accountability.

1 Corinthians 14:26, 29, 32–33, 40; 1 Thessalonians 5:21

We believe spiritual gifts operate best in relationships where people are known, trusted, accountable, and where their gifts can be recognized and affirmed over time. For that reason, we encourage spiritual gifts to be practiced and developed in environments such as small groups, ministry teams, prayer groups, discipleship relationships, and pastoral care.

1 Corinthians 14:29; Ephesians 4:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Anonymous or disconnected expressions of manifestation gifts and practices—such as prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, healing, or deliverance—can easily lead to confusion, disorder, or harm when practiced without relationship, accountability, and discernment.

1 Corinthians 12:8–10; 14:26–33, 40

Because of that, we want to create environments where the Spirit is welcomed, people are cared for, Scripture is honored, and gifts are practiced in ways that strengthen rather than distract from the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:12, 26; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22; 1 Peter 4:10–11

We want to avoid both neglecting the work of the Spirit and overemphasizing spiritual experiences in ways that become confusing, manipulative, or unhealthy.

1 Corinthians 14:33, 40; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22

We believe final judgment is real and that rejecting God carries eternal consequence.

John 5:28–29; Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 20:11–15

Faithful Christians differ on how to understand the exact nature and duration of hell, including eternal conscious punishment, annihilationism, and other views.

Matthew 10:28; Mark 9:43–48; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 14:10–11

Summit does not require complete agreement on every detail of this doctrine for belonging or most leadership roles. We want to be humble about the details Christians interpret differently while holding firmly to what Scripture clearly teaches.

1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Timothy 2:23–25

What we affirm clearly is that sin is serious, judgment is real, salvation is found in Jesus, and eternity matters.

John 3:16–18, 36; Acts 4:12; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27

We believe men and women are equally made in the image of God, equally loved by God, equally recipients of the Holy Spirit, and equally essential to the mission of Jesus.

Genesis 1:27; Acts 2:17–18; 1 Corinthians 12:7

Throughout Scripture, women serve, lead, pray, prophesy, teach, disciple, show courage, and play vital roles among God’s people. We want women at Summit to be honored, equipped, empowered, and released to use their gifts for the good of the church and the mission of Jesus.

Acts 18:24–26; Romans 16:1–4; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Peter 4:10

Summit has women serving in significant leadership roles, including pastors, directors, ministry leaders, teachers, and staff members. We are grateful for the wisdom, leadership, and spiritual gifts women bring to the life of our church.

Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7

Summit currently practices male eldership. At the same time, our elders are actively studying and discerning the biblical questions surrounding women and eldership. We recognize that faithful Christians and faithful churches have reached different conclusions, and we want our practice to be shaped by Scripture rather than tradition, culture, or pressure from either direction.

1 Timothy 2:11–12; 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; Galatians 3:28

Eldership is not about power, status, privilege, or control. It is a call to self-sacrificial service and a weighty responsibility to shepherd, protect, teach, pray, and care for the church under the authority of Jesus.

Mark 10:42–45; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4

When someone serves as an elder at Summit, we do not view that as a higher value or greater importance. Elders carry a particular responsibility before God to serve the church with humility, tenderness, courage, and accountability.

Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2–4

This includes a responsibility to honor, support, protect, and advocate for women, children, marriages, families, and every person entrusted to our care.

Mark 10:42–45; Philippians 2:3–5

Women are vital to Summit’s ministry, discipleship, leadership, and mission. Whatever structure we use for eldership, we want every person to be equipped and encouraged to faithfully use the gifts God has given them.

Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7; 1 Peter 4:10