I think there is a great deal of confusion regarding these terms being used together. Also, both terms carry some baggage that we do not like, but the terms apply to us, nevertheless. I will try to explain the basic tenets of Sovereign Grace Church.

Reformed
By reformed, we mean that we hold to the basic doctrine that God is sovereign over all things, including those who will come to Jesus and be saved. This is commonly called Calvinism (although we do not hold to everything that John Calvin espoused), or the Doctrines of Grace. We believe that this is, simply put, the Bible view of salvation.

We would distance ourselves from anyone claiming to be reformed that does not heartily believe in, and practice evangelism of the lost. Christians have the privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel with those who do not know Jesus Christ.

Charismatic / Spirit-filled
By charismatic, we mean that we believe in the need today in the local church for the Holy Spirit's presence and gifts to be made manifest. We believe that we are unequipped to do spiritual ministry without His special help and His spiritual gifts. We believe that all of the giftings of the New Testament church are available and needed still today. Some churches take an "open by cautious" stand on these gifts. We believe that the Bible teaches that we must pursue these gifts openly. Sovereign Grace Church believes that these gifts must be administered under the authority of the local church body (the elders) and that they must be done in accordance with Scripture.

We would distance ourselves from those who wear the name charismatic but take the focus off of Jesus and put it on themselves, on spiritual power, on the Holy Spirit (the Spirit puts the focus on Jesus), on whatever else. A ministry that is not Jesus focused is a ministry out of balance at best. Also, all gifts must be practiced according to Biblical standards.

Baptist
By baptist, we actually mean baptistic since we are not actually a Baptist church. We primarily mean that we believe in baptizing only Believers, and that the mode of baptism should be immersion.

I hope this clarifies Sovereign Grace's position on what kind of a church we are and want to be.

Hidden in Christ,
Scott