FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1: Why does the Mountain State Directory of Sovereign Grace Congregations exist?
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A1: The Mountain State Directory of Sovereign Grace Congregations exists to connect Reformed, Calvinistic, and Sovereign Grace Christians with local churches in West Virginia. Along with personal connections, we also aim at corporate connections in making churches aware of churches for the purpose of fellowship, building relationships, partnering in ministry, and praying together for revival. In addition, we offer resources such as a pulpit supply, job board, articles on the church in West Virginia, and evangelistic material to assist both the pastor and the ordinary Christian in proclaiming the gospel in their communities.
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* The Mountain State Directory of Sovereign Grace Congregations is not affiliated with Sovereign Grace Churches (formerly Sovereign Grace Ministries).
Q2: Is the Mountain State Directory of Sovereign Grace Congregations a denomination?
A2: No, the Directory is not a denomination, nor is it a network, nor an alliance, but rather an online directory that lists various Reformed, Calvinistic, and Sovereign Grace congregations located in the state of West Virginia.
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* The Directory does not speak for any church, denomination, network, or alliance.
Q3: Is the Directory a ministry of a particular church listed on the Directory?
A3: While the founder of the Directory is a member of a listed church, the Directory itself is not a ministry of that particular church, nor of any denomination, network, alliance, or association.
Q4: Are all West Virginia Reformed, Calvinistic, and Sovereign Grace churches listed in the Directory?
A4: No, if a church is not listed it is likely due to one of the following:
• A church holds to a doctrine, ideology, practice, system, or worldview that goes against the Directory’s standard
• A church has declined a listing
• A listing is currently pending for that church
• The Directory is simply unaware of that church’s existence
Q5: Does the Directory list Arminian churches?
A5: No, the Directory does not list Arminian churches, as Arminianism is directly opposed to Reformed, Calvinistic, and Sovereign Grace soteriology.
Q6: What does a church have to affirm & embrace to be listed in the Directory?
A6: A church must affirm & embrace the following:
• The Doctrines of Grace
• The Five Solas of the Reformation
• Nicene Christology
• Evangelism
Q7: What are the Doctrines of Grace?
A7: The doctrines of grace are summaries of five biblical soteriological doctrines which declare salvation to be all of grace. They are often, for the sake of convenience, presented in the acronym TULIP:
Total Depravity (also called Radical Corruption): As a result of the sin of Adam, the entire human race was shipwrecked into sin; thus all of Adam’s descendants are born spiritually dead and by nature rebels against God and His holy law. This does not mean, however, that man is as bad as he could be (utter depravity), or even that man is unable to do anything morally good; but rather, even the good that man does is tainted by sin and are as filthy rags because it is not done by faith and to the glory of God.
Unconditional Election (also called Sovereign Election): God from eternity past has chosen those whom He will save from their sin and those whom He will leave in their sin. Election (God’s decree of salvation) is one side of the coin of predestination, with reprobation (God’s decree of judgement) being on the other. Election is unconditional in that it is not contingent on man’s free-will and response to God’s grace. Because of man’s spiritually dead condition he would never choose God; therefore, God must act first if man is to be saved; and that first move is seen in God’s gracious choice of mercy and salvation towards His elect.
Limited Atonement (also called Definite Atonement or Particular Redemption): The purpose of Christ’s atoning death on the cross was not to make sinners “savable,” but to actually save them! The purpose of the atonement was to save everyone for whom it was intended: those whom the Father predestined to salvation from before the foundations of the world. The word “limited” has often times been confusing, as it can convey the idea that Christ’s saving power is limited; but that is not what the doctrine teaches; rather, that which is “limited” concerns the elect, for whom Christ shed his blood. This is why Definite Atonement or Particular Redemption is often preferred over Limited Atonement. The atonement was “definite” in that it saved all that it intended to save, and it was “particular” in that it saves a particular people (the elect) whom the Father has given to the Son. Not one drop of Christ's blood was shed in vain.
Irresistible Grace (also called Effectual Calling): All whom the Father has given to the Son will come to the Son. This does not mean sinners are dragged into heaven kicking and screaming, but rather they are regenerated (born again) by the Holy Spirit, and, having their eyes opened, they freely come to Christ. This is not to deny that the Holy Spirit can be resisted, for the Spirit is resisted by men everywhere, everyday; but rather, if it is God’s will to save, that man’s spiritually dead nature and corrupt will is certain to be overcome by the Holy Spirit in God’s perfect timing. Just as God said “Let there be light” at the creation of the world, so He also says “Let there be light” in the hearts of His elect. While the call to believe for many is external, the call for God’s elect is internal and effectual.
The Perseverance of the Saints (also called the Preservation of the Saints): All whom are predestined and effectually called by God will persevere in the faith and never be lost. This doctrine does not deny that they may “backslide” into seasons of unrepentance and grieve the Holy Spirit, but all-the-more affirms that they will always return to their Father in true faith and repentance, as He will preserve them forever, and they will never be plucked from His hand. Christians will ultimately continue in life-long obedience, though imperfect in many ways, with many ups and downs. Those predestined (chosen by God for salvation) are called (effectually drawn by the Spirit), justified (declared righteous), and ultimately glorified (the final removal of sin, either at death, or at the Second Coming). All that God decreed for His elect in eternity past, He will bring to perfection for them into eternity future.
Q8: What are the Five Solas of the Reformation?
A8: The Five Solas of the Reformation are five summaries which distinguished the faith of the Reformers from the faith of Rome. The Solas can be (and have been) held by those not confessionally Reformed, but yet are Calvinistic and Sovereign Grace. They are the following:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): The 66 books of the Bible are the church’s sole authority for Christian doctrine, faith, and practice. The Scriptures are the inspired Word of God and are therefore inerrant, infallible, and perfectly profitable and sufficient for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
Solus Christus (Christ Alone): Salvation is found in none other than Christ alone. No one can come to the Father except through Him.
Sola Fide (Faith Alone): It is not by works that we are saved, but by grace through faith. Even our faith is a gift, as it is the instrument by which we are justified (declared righteous) and by which we please God.
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone): Salvation from beginning to end is all of grace (God’s pure and unmerited favor towards His people). Grace is a gift, lest anyone should boast, and because it is God’s grace shown to sinners who do not deserve it, it can never be taken away — for this same grace perseveres and preserves. God is faithful, and that which He began in the church He will bring to perfect completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone): Because salvation is the work of God alone, Christians, whether in vocation or Sunday morning worship, are commanded to live every part of their lives in worship to the glory of God alone.
Q9: What is Nicene Christology?
A9: Nicene Christology is the Christology expressed in the ancient Nicene Creed. Though not divinely inspired like the Scriptures, the Nicene Creed does however accurately and beautifully reflect what the Scriptures teach about the nature and work of Christ. Any shift from Nicene Christology is to be considered unbiblical and unorthodox. The following is what the creed declares about the Lord Jesus Christ:
There is one Lord Jesus Christ
He is the only Son of God
He was begotten from the Father before all ages
He is God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God
He was begotten, not made
He is of the same essence as the Father
Through Him all things were made
He came down from heaven for us and our salvation
He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate
He suffered and was buried
The third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures
He ascended to heaven
He is seated at the right hand of the Father
He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead
His kingdom will never end
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* In embracing Nicene Christology there is a necessary condemnation of heresies such as Docetism, Sebellianism, Modalism, Arianism, Monophysitism, Nestorianism, Apollinarism, Ebionism, and Socinianism.
Q10: What goes against the Directory’s standard?
A10: The Directory does not and will not list a church that embraces the any of the following:
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Doctrine:
Annihilationism & Universalism
Arminianism / Semi-Pelagianism
Easy Believism
Hyper Calvinism
Federal Vision Theology
Female Eldership & Deaconship
Full Preterism
Open Theism
Pelagianism (the denial of original sin)
Psilanthropism (the denial of the virgin birth)
Theistic Evolution
Unitarianism
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Ideologies, Practices, & Worldviews:
Abortion
Critical Race Theory
Feminism
Homosexuality & Same-Sex Marriage
Transgenderism
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Other:
King James Onlyism
Landmarkism (Baptist Successionism, Baptist Bride Theology, Heritage Theology)
Theonomy & Reconstructionism (including Christian Nationalism)
Q11: Do the churches listed in the Directory agree on everything?
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A11: While the Directory only lists those churches that already hold to a particular doctrinal standard (see Q&A 6, 7), this does not intend to suggest 100% agreement on every doctrine and practice. There is most certainly agreement on the primary doctrine of the Christian faith, but there are a variety of differences and disagreements on both secondary and tertiary doctrine and practice, such as: ecclesiology, the ordinances/sacraments, the biblical covenants (including the law and the Sabbath), liturgy (including music), spiritual gifts, eschatology, creation, and the use of creeds, confessions, and statements of faith.
Q12: Why is Sovereign Grace added along with Reformed and Calvinistic? Does it not mean the same thing?
A12: While the label sovereign grace has often in Appalachia been used to refer to Hyper Calvinists and Landmarkers, the Directory does not use that label with those groups in mind, as we are evangelistic and believe in a universal church. We use the label to refer generally to those whose doctrine is monergistic (rather than synergistic), who may not be confessionally Reformed, or do not prefer the label Calvinist. Sovereign Grace as both a doctrinal term and theological label has a beautiful and rich heritage, as it was commonly used by giants of the faith such as the Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, John Newton, John Gill, Benjamin Keach, William Gadsby, Charles Spurgeon, and A.W. Pink. We hope that over time sovereign grace will be reclaimed and Appalachians will once again use it in the same way that our forefathers in the faith once did.
Q13: Why such an emphasis on sovereign grace?
A13: It is most certainly true that emphasizing sovereign grace beyond the Scriptures can (and has) led to unbiblical shifts, not only in doctrine, but also in practice — an example being a congregation that has drifted both doctrinally and practically into Hyper Calvinism, or fatalism (see Q&A 14). Yet, we at the Directory also understand that at one time the majority of American churches held to the biblical truth of God’s sovereign grace, and while there has certainly been a great revival of the Doctrines of Grace in the past two decades, we recognize West Virginia still to be among the least affected, making it rather difficult and frustrating in one’s search for a church in our state that embraces these biblical truths. It is for this reason that we hope the Directory will serve West Virginia Christians with these particular doctrinal distinctives in connecting them with like-minded churches: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Q14: How does the Directory define Hyper Calvinism?
A14: Defining Hyper Calvinism is not an easy task. There have been many articles, books, and lectures published on the topic that are extremely helpful and worth while, and many that are unhelpful and sadly slanderous; yet, even among the more helpful, none have reached a definite and unanimous understanding of the position, including the Directory. With this being said, the following is what the Directory believes Hyper Calvinism looks like both doctrinally and practically:
We believe Hyper Calvinism to be a distortion of biblical Calvinism that is in direct opposition to the biblical command to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20), a denial of "duty faith" and the undermining of man’s responsibility (Acts 17:30-31), and a perversion of the biblical doctrine of double predestination in embracing the doctrine of equal ultimacy.
Opposition to Evangelism & Missions: This includes the unbiblical practice of only evangelizing those who have given “proof” of their election, regeneration, and justification. J.C. Ryle has a strong word for the Hyper Calvinist: “Men have no right to put words in Christ’s mouth which He has not used. He does not say, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that are elect.’ He addresses all the laboring and heavy-laden ones without any exception!” It is not our job to decipher who is elect and who is reprobate, but instead we are to preach the gospel to all men without distinction and rest in the Spirit’s work in bringing whosoever He wills to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Duty Faith" & Man’s Responsibility: Concerning "Duty Faith:" since God commands sinners everywhere to repent of their sin and believe in Christ, then faith most certainly is the sinner's "duty." To disobey is unbelief, and unbelief is sin. Concerning man's responsibility: the Hyper Calvinist neglects the reprobate’s duty and responsibility to love God and does not see the reprobate’s own personal sin as the cause of his damnation (as does the Calvinist), but rather, the cause of his damnation being solely due to God decreeing him to damnation, usually without considering him as a fallen creature, but as one most unfortunate under God’s decree of reprobation. While God has decreed to leave the reprobate in their sin, it is nevertheless their own personal sin they continue living in, and they are therefore held personally accountable for loving their sin more than their Creator, and receive not mercy, but judgement. The biblical truth that God is sovereign and man morally responsible is not a contradiction, but a great mystery, and was a stumbling block for the early church heretic Pelagius when he scorned Augustine for praying, "Lord, command what You will, and grant what You command."
Embracing the Doctrine of Equal Ultimacy: This doctrine holds that there is symmetry, not only in the decrees of God, but also in how they are exercised — the latter being the distortion, which goes much further than the biblical doctrine of double predestination. While God sovereignly creates spiritual life and gives the gift of faith to the elect, He however, does not sovereignly create in the reprobate spiritual death, sin, and unbelief. As the Scriptures declare: all men are born ruined sinners (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:9-18); therefore, God does not need to bring the reprobate into spiritual death since they are already from birth (even conception) in that condition. This also means that God does not need to create in the reprobate sin and unbelief since they are by nature unbelieving sinners. This is vastly different than God not opening the eyes and heart of the reprobate for the purpose of keeping him under judgement as a vessel of wrath, as the Scriptures so speak (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matt. 13:10-17; Rom. 9:22; 2 Peter 2:9). The Scriptures are clear concerning God’s decree of reprobation: God gives them up (Rom. 1:24-32); meaning, God decrees the reprobate to willfully continue in their sinful course, and, as J.I. Packer has said, at length “gives them enough rope to hang themselves.” The reprobate are ultimately damned because of their own sin and unbelief, not because God created in them those things.
* While the acceptance of eternal justification and supralapsarianism and the denial of common grace and the well-meant offer of the gospel are commonly embraced by Hyper Calvinists, we at the Directory do not believe accepting or denying any of these doctrines makes one a Hyper Calvinist, as some of the most faithful gospel preachers have in various ways both accepted and denied some or all of these doctrines, examples being: the Reformer, Theodore Beza; the Puritan, William Perkins; the pastor/theologian, John Gill; the hymn-writer & humanitarian, William Gadsby; the writer, Arthur Walkington Pink; the former Prime Minister and theologian of the Netherlands, Abraham Kuyper; the professor/theologian and mentor to R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner; and the pastor/evangelist, Henry Mahan.
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* One congregation’s emphasis on sovereign grace over another’s does not necessitate the charge of Hyper Calvinism, and neither should High Calvinism be equated with Hyper Calvinism.
Q15: How do I add my church to the Directory?
A15: If you are an elder at the church you wish to add to the Directory, please follow these steps:
1.) First, begin by clicking the DIRECTORY APPLICATION link.
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2.) Second, fill out all of the fields and then submit the application.
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3.) Third, your application will undergo a review to see if your church meets the basic standard for a listing.
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4.) Fourth, a simple interview will be scheduled via email or phone to further the process.
After all of these steps have been taken, and if your church's application is approved, it will then be officially listed within one week.
* The Directory will never ask a church for money. All listings are 100% free of charge.
* If you are not an elder at your church, please do not submit an application. It will be rejected.
Q16: If the leadership of a church decides they no longer wish to be listed in the Directory, will its listing be removed?
A16: Yes, once the leadership from that church contacts the Directory with the details of its decision, we will respectfully remove its listing.
Q17: What will happen if a church listed in the Directory is reported to have shifted in a way that is contrary to the Directory’s doctrinal standard?
A17: If this happens we will contact that church, and based on the testimony of that church’s leadership it will then be decided if that church still meets or does not meet the Directory’s standard. If they do, their listing will remain active; if they do not, they will be notified and their listing removed.
Q18: If my church is seeking a full-time pastor, will the Directory post a listing?
A18: If your church is listed in the Directory and not a part of a denomination where a governing body conducts and oversees the search for a pastoral candidate, then, with its leadership’s consent, we will be most happy to assist your church by posting a job listing to the JOB BOARD section of the website. Please keep the Directory updated if or when this spot is filled so the website may stay up-to-date.
Q19: If I’m a pastor or evangelist looking for preaching opportunities, will the Directory post my information so churches may contact me if they are in need of filling the pulpit?
A19: Yes, the Directory will post your name, a short bio, and preferred contact information onto the PULPIT SUPPLY section of the website.
* The Directory will not act as a mediator, middle-man, or negotiator between a minister and a church.
Q20: How can I support the Directory?
A20: First and foremost, we desire your prayers, that God would use the Directory for the spread of Christ’s kingdom and the edification of His saints in the Mountain State. We ask also that the churches would pray for one another and encourage one another with gospel truths. And lastly, while the Directory is a 100% free service, financial donations are indeed a blessing, as they keep the website running and help us to print resources. If you desire to make a financial donation to the Directory, please click the GIVE link.