What We Believe at Hillside Church
At Hillside Church, our beliefs shape how we worship, how we live, and how we walk together as a church family. They are rooted in Scripture, centred on Jesus, and lived out through grace-filled faith.
As part of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada, our core beliefs reflect historic Christian faith and the theological commitments we share with a wider family of churches. What follows is a clear summary of what we believe, along with fuller doctrinal statements for those who wish to explore further.
The following beliefs reflect the historic doctrine of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada and are fully affirmed by Hillside Church.
The Bible (The Holy Scriptures)
We believe the Bible is inspired by God and is authoritative for faith and life.
(2 Timothy 3:16–17)
God (The Eternal Godhead)
We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
Humanity and the Fall (The Fall of Man)
We believe humanity was created in the image of God, but through voluntary disobedience fell from that original perfection.
(Romans 5:12)
God’s Plan of Salvation (The Plan of Salvation)
We believe that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us — offering forgiveness and salvation to all who believe in Him.
(John 3:16; Romans 5:8)
Saved by Grace (Salvation Through Grace)
We believe we are saved not by our own righteousness, but by trusting fully in the righteousness of Christ alone.
(Ephesians 2:8)
Repentance and Faith (Repentance and Acceptance)
We believe that through sincere repentance and wholehearted faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified before God.
(1 John 1:9)
New Life in Christ (The New Birth)
We believe the change that takes place in a person’s heart and life through conversion is real and transformative.
(2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20)
Growing in Christ (Daily Christian Living)
We believe it is God’s will that believers grow daily in faith, holiness, and obedience as part of an ongoing journey of sanctification.
(Hebrews 6:1)
Baptism and Communion (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper)
We believe baptism by immersion is an outward expression of an inward work of grace.
(Matthew 28:19)
We also believe in remembering the Lord’s Supper through the symbolic use of bread and the cup.
(1 Corinthians 11:24–25)
Empowered by the Holy Spirit (Baptism with the Holy Spirit)
We believe the baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers believers for life and ministry, consistent with the experience described in Scripture.
(Acts 2:4)
Living a Spirit-Filled Life (The Spirit-Filled Life)
We believe it is God’s desire that believers live daily under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 4:30–32)
Spiritual Gifts and Fruit (The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit)
We believe the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers and produces spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life.
(1 Corinthians 12:1–11; Galatians 5:22)
A Life of Balance (Moderation)
We believe the Christian life and spiritual experience should be marked by balance, avoiding extremes or fanaticism.
(Philippians 4:5)
Healing Through Christ (Divine Healing)
We believe divine healing is available through the power of Christ in response to prayer offered in faith.
(James 5:14–16)
The Return of Christ (The Second Coming of Christ)
We believe in the personal and imminent return of Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
Life in the Church (Church Relationship)
We believe it is our responsibility and privilege to be connected to the visible body of Christ through the local church.
(Acts 16:5; Hebrews 10:25)
Respect for Authority (Civil Government)
We believe governing authorities should be respected and upheld, except where obedience would contradict the will of God.
(Romans 13:1–5)
Eternal Accountability (The Final Judgment)
We believe all people will one day stand before God for judgment, resulting in eternal life or eternal separation.
(2 Corinthians 5:10)
Our Eternal Hope (Heaven)
We believe heaven is the eternal dwelling place of all who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ.
(John 14:1–3; Revelation 7:15–17)
Eternal Separation (Hell)
We believe hell is the place of eternal separation for those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior.
(Revelation 20:10, 15)
Sharing the Good News (Evangelism)
We believe sharing the message of salvation in Jesus Christ is one of the Church’s highest responsibilities.
(James 5:20)
Generous Living (Tithes and Offerings)
We believe God’s work is supported and advanced through the faithful giving of tithes and free-will offerings.
(Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
Women in Senior Leadership
"I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy"
Acts 2:17
Hillside Church affirms and celebrates the calling of women into leadership at every level of ministry. We believe this conviction is rooted in Scripture and consistent with God’s ongoing work through His Spirit in the life of the Church.
As part of the Foursquare Church, we share a long-standing commitment to recognizing and releasing women into leadership. Since its founding in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson, the Foursquare movement has affirmed that God calls and equips both women and men to lead, pastor, and serve according to the gifts He gives.
Based on careful study of Scripture and the broader witness of the Bible, we believe women can faithfully serve — and succeed — in any role of leadership within the local church, ministry, or Christian organization.
For those who would like to explore the biblical foundations behind this conviction more deeply, we have provided the following resources. These materials reflect thoughtful, faithful engagement with Scripture and represent the theological position of the Foursquare Church.
Recommended Resources
Women in Ministry Leadership – Booklet
This resource outlines the biblical foundation and theological reasoning behind the Foursquare Church’s commitment to empowering women as equals in ministry leadership, including serving as senior pastors and lead missionaries.
Leaders from the Foursquare Doctrine Committee — including Pastors Jack Hayford, Jim Adams, John Mazariegos, and Jim Scott — articulate the denomination’s approach to training, equipping, and releasing women into all levels of ministry.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR READ THE BOOKLET
Exegesis: 1 Timothy 2:9–15
Exegesis involves careful and contextual interpretation of Scripture. This academic paper by Helen Winter examines one of the most frequently cited passages in conversations about women in leadership. It explores Paul’s words to Timothy, the cultural setting of the text, and how these instructions have been understood within the broader message of Scripture.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR READ THE PAPER
Video Teaching
Pastor Jerry Dirmann
Pastor Jerry Dirmann, founder of Solid Lives Ministries and co-pastor of The Rock Foursquare Church alongside his wife Kimberly, shares biblical teaching on women in leadership. The Rock Foursquare Church is a global community where women serve in leadership roles at every level.
Watch these teachings to explore a biblical perspective on women in senior leadership.
1 Timothy with Pastor Nate Poetzl
What does the Bible teach about women in leadership? What does Paul mean by “saved through childbearing”? In this video series, Pastor Nate Poetzl — senior pastor of Faith Chapel Foursquare Church and Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Foursquare Church — unpacks the cultural context and biblical meaning of 1 Timothy 2:9–15.
PODCASTS
Same Jesus Podcast
Senior Pastor Russell Joyce and theologian A.J. Swoboda explore how Foursquare empowers people of all genders, ages, cultures, and backgrounds to live into God’s calling. These conversations include celebrating women in senior leadership and raising up leaders around the world.
Know Your Role
In this three-part podcast series, Pastor Brad of Hillside Church examines the biblical perspective on women in church leadership. The series explores how Scripture is interpreted, the qualifications for leadership found in the Bible, and the passages most often discussed in this conversation.
