Core Values
In addition to our doctrinal commitments, these seven Core Values define the priorities and style of our church:
We value God’s glory above all else.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. (1 Peter 4:11)
We desire to be a people committed to the highest of all purposes, God’s glory. We will ask, “What does God want?” rather than “What will work?” or “What will make us comfortable?” Believing Jesus Christ to be the Chief Shepherd of our church, we will prayerfully trust Him to provide us with guidance in all aspects of church life through his Word and through his Spirit. We hope to speak only with His words, and act only with His strength, so that others might glorify God alone.
We value biblical teaching that changes lives.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Psalm 19:7-8)
Viewing the Bible as the final authority on all things of which it speaks, we look to the Scriptures first to guide our congregational and individual lives. In our worship services and community groups, we will foster teaching that allows the power of God’s Word to be the changing force in our church, rather than the wisdom of man. We desire to be a church that longs for the pure milk of the Word and stands as a beacon of truth in the community.
We value worship that is centered on God.
I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is; his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
Reflecting a continual dependence on the Holy Spirit, our weekly worship services will be the culmination of our continuous individual worship of sacrificial living. Our worship through music will be more about God than us, more about His attributes than our actions. We will look to the Scriptures to see how God wants to be worshiped, primarily expressing our worship through the methods and means He has designed.
We value authentic community that is marked by grace and love.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. (John 17:20-21) ::: Thanks be to God, who through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
We desire our church fellowship to create a fragrant aroma in which believers minister to others with Christ-like love. Our community groups will be the heartbeat of our church, where our people will be connected to each other for encouragement, growth, and accountability. Our church family will be a place where judgment is overcome by grace, conflict is overcome by forgiveness, interpersonal and intercultural differences are overcome by respect, and selfish control is overcome by generosity.
We value relational evangelism that addresses the whole person.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matt. 9:35-36).
We desire to see our members sharing their faith with friends and neighbors through servant-hearted action and boldly loving words. Just as Jesus addressed the needs of the whole person, we will strive to meet physical and emotional needs along with spiritual needs, so that people can see the love of God in action through our deeds. We will teach the good news of the kingdom in our weekly services, and we will facilitate events and small groups that will allow Christians to lovingly share their lives with their non-Christian friends.
We value team-based leadership that multiplies ministers.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4-6)
Believing in the power of God to unite his people’s leaders for his own glory, a group of coequal full-time and lay ministers will lead the church. To avoid quenching the Spirit’s work, we will seek out leaders who are pursuing God passionately and walking closely in His shadow, so that His will is evident in their lives and consequentially in the life of the church. We will actively equip the saints for ministry, and train new leaders to be workers in the harvest.
We value simplicity in ministry as we proclaim the mystery of Christ.
Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 5:31-33)
The work of God’s Kingdom will take priority in our ministry over all other worries. While we will not shy away from the complexities and nuances of the gospel, a commitment to simplicity will guide all our decisions. Our budget, meeting location, material resources, and leadership structure will serve the gospel, rather than the all-too-tempting opposite.
