Core Values: There are many beliefs and values that define the character of our church, but we fold five "Core Values" to be essential.

• The Bible
• Genuine Faith
• Loving Relationships
• Empowered Involvement
• Pursuing Excellence

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Membership: Since the word "membership" implies so many different ideas to different people, we refer to three distinct "Member Profiles" to clarity participation in the life of the church.

• Church membership is a very open and informal inclusion of all who profess Christian faith and choose to declare this as their regular "home" church. In addition to an active listing in our directory of members to receive information about church life, this distinction is helpful for determining status regarding provisions for use of facilities, weddings, care and accountability, as well as other church member benefits.
  
• Corporation Membership. Columbia Community Church, Inc., is a registered corporaton in the state of Washington that functions in compliance with laws governing non-profit tax status and the holding of real estate. For this reason, the corporation by-laws stipulate requirements for the conducting of business meetings and membership eligibility for voting privileges.
  
• P.A.R.T.N.E.R. Commitments "Involvement" is the key ingredient to effectiveness in the church! Life together as a church body is a partnership with God and each other as we pursue the cause of Christ in our lives and in our world. Each letter in the acrostic represents one of seven mutually accountable commitments we share as church. By providing a means to enter various levels of involvement with clear understanding of the mutually help expectations, we are better able to preserve the open receptiveness that has become the character of our church without diminishing our effectiveness.

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Columbia Community Church is a non-denominational congregation affiliated with the growing movement known as the Church of God with general offices in Anderson, Indiana. We maintain association with the Church of God at state, regional, and national levels and cooperate with its efforts in missions worldwide.

The doctrines held by the Church of God place primary emphasis upon Christian unity and personal holiness. As a result, our church is composed of believers from diverse religious backgrounds, or no religious background, who are eager to pursue a life-style according to the principles of the Bible.

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About the Bible: We believe the Bible is the uniquely inspired Word of God and that it teaches truth regarding how to believe and how to live.

About God: We believe there is one God who created all things and who exists in the three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

About the Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit is at work both to fill the lives of believers with His presence and the power to live a godly life, and to accomplish God’s will in the world.

About Eternal Life: We believe that human sin is forgiven only be trusting in Jesus Christ and that believing in Him creates new life in the human spirit that does not end with death but continues for eternity in heaven.

About the Church: We believe in the spiritual unity of all those who live with Jesus Christ as Lord in their lives. He alone is head over the church.

About Prayer: We believe prayer is the means of communicating with God, who hears and honors the prayers of his people. In prayer there is power for spiritual life and peace, for strength and physical healing, for change and life transformation, and for encouraging confidence of faith.

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Established in 1947, Columbia Community has grown from a small Tuesday home prayer meeting to a thriving church family of hundreds at our current location in South Richland. The character of the church today continues, as it has for six decades, to be built on people of vision and faith who look forward, giving of themselves to reach the community.

TIMELINE

• 1947: Tuesday home prayer meeting started in Richland.
• 1948: Richland Church of God holds 1st public Sunday services.
  
• 1953-57: Church moves to West Kennewick and changes name to Highlands Church of God.
• 1974: Church introduces drive-in services and again changes name to Columbia Community Church.
• 1978: Church breaks ground at current Gage Blvd. location.

PASTORAL STAFF

• 1948-62: Harold Lougheed.
• 1962-78: Bill Todd.
• 1978-80: Ralph Johnson.
• 1980-85: Ken Smatlack.
• 1986-92: Rick Martinez.
• 1993-07: Jerry Marvel.

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Each letter in the acrostic P.A.R.T.N.E.R. represents one of seven Christian commitments, which we identify as central to shared life together in the church.

• P- Profess Christian faith!
• A- Attend gathered worship!
• R- Relate with others in small group!
• T- Team with others in ministry service!
• N- Nurture personal spiritual growth!
• E- Embrace Biblical Stewardship!
• R- Reproduce faith in others!

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