Our Core Values
As our leadership assembled and prayed in March of 2008, we derived a listing of 20 or so core values. As we began to combine them, they all fell under the following 8. These are the foundational aims that filter all that we do from ministries to missions.
1. GOSPEL FOCUS
We value a biblical understanding of the Gospel in that Jesus and Him crucified is foundational to the life of all believers. Christ is ENOUGH and more VALUABLE than everything. His GRACE is sufficient for all our needs, desires and deeds. Our mission is Gospel Centric and anything that deviates from this focus is quickly derailed.
(1 Corinthians 2:2, 15:1-5; Romans 1:16)
We value a biblical understanding of the Gospel in that Jesus and Him crucified is foundational to the life of all believers. Christ is ENOUGH and more VALUABLE than everything. His GRACE is sufficient for all our needs, desires and deeds. Our mission is Gospel Centric and anything that deviates from this focus is quickly derailed.
(1 Corinthians 2:2, 15:1-5; Romans 1:16)
2. EVANGELISTIC / GREAT COMMISSION MINDED
We value the Church’s call to preach the Gospel without apologies and with power. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power to change lives as it is the Power of God (Romans 1:16) of which we are not ashamed. Therefore, the natural result of God’s grace is sharing our faith within the “body” and the community.
We value the Church’s call to preach the Gospel without apologies and with power. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power to change lives as it is the Power of God (Romans 1:16) of which we are not ashamed. Therefore, the natural result of God’s grace is sharing our faith within the “body” and the community.
3. IMAGE GOD’S GLORY
We value knowing biblical Theology so that we can understand what is revealed about God, His nature, character and will for mankind. His glory is visible in Christ Alone (Col 1:15) and the “body of Christ” is to reflect that Glory. (Eph 3:10)
4. BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP
We value true discipleship. Not just church work and ministry, but supernatural transformation of the heart and understanding of the Grace and Glory of God. Discipleship comes in many ways but is established in the heart by God. A true believer is one who grows in Grace and learns to rightly divide the word of truth. A disciple of Christ is one who is willing to ‘take up his cross’ and follow Christ. John paints for us the correct picture of a disciple in 1 John. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:31-32; Ephesians 4:17-24, 2Timothy 3:16-17)
We value true discipleship. Not just church work and ministry, but supernatural transformation of the heart and understanding of the Grace and Glory of God. Discipleship comes in many ways but is established in the heart by God. A true believer is one who grows in Grace and learns to rightly divide the word of truth. A disciple of Christ is one who is willing to ‘take up his cross’ and follow Christ. John paints for us the correct picture of a disciple in 1 John. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:31-32; Ephesians 4:17-24, 2Timothy 3:16-17)
Part of discipleship is understanding true church growth isn’t strictly numerical but more importantly foundational. We value building on the foundation of scripture and not the philosophies of the world. (1 Cor) When the true church grows in Grace, it multiplies as a result. This is organic growth.
5. BIBLICAL PREACHING/TEACHING
We value the scriptures as God’s inspired Word and therefore it must be taught in such a way not to diminish the intent of its content. The expositional teaching of scripture is a must in every group of believers. Failure to properly teach and preach scripture has created a damning ‘church’ model that does not preach a true Christ that saves. (2 Tim 4:1-5)
We value the scriptures as God’s inspired Word and therefore it must be taught in such a way not to diminish the intent of its content. The expositional teaching of scripture is a must in every group of believers. Failure to properly teach and preach scripture has created a damning ‘church’ model that does not preach a true Christ that saves. (2 Tim 4:1-5)
6. GENUINE FELLOWSHIP/MEMBERSHIP – LOVE FOR OTHERS
We value the desire to live life and to pursue Christ together, encouraging maturity to Jesus Christ as Lord. Our deepest friends and mentors should be found in this body. We must exhort, admonish, encourage, and instruct one another, holding one another accountable before God with deep humility and love. Because we care for the souls of one another, we actively practice church discipline. We value true family and hold firm to the unity of the body of Christ. In doing so, true conversion is always required for membership and understanding how a person is saved is a key value and desire. (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37; Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 3:12-14; Hebrews 10:24-25)
We value the desire to live life and to pursue Christ together, encouraging maturity to Jesus Christ as Lord. Our deepest friends and mentors should be found in this body. We must exhort, admonish, encourage, and instruct one another, holding one another accountable before God with deep humility and love. Because we care for the souls of one another, we actively practice church discipline. We value true family and hold firm to the unity of the body of Christ. In doing so, true conversion is always required for membership and understanding how a person is saved is a key value and desire. (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37; Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 3:12-14; Hebrews 10:24-25)
7. HAVING JOY IN CHRIST – WORSHIP
We value the Joy that is found only in Christ and admonish one another to rejoice in all things. When we worship together throughout the week we value truth, not tradition as a means to truly worship. Anything that stands apart from ascribing worth and bringing praise to God is avoided during our worship services. True worshippers do not gather for themselves but rather for God and are the givers, not the recepients during worship. (John 4:22-24; Eph 5:15-21)
We value the Joy that is found only in Christ and admonish one another to rejoice in all things. When we worship together throughout the week we value truth, not tradition as a means to truly worship. Anything that stands apart from ascribing worth and bringing praise to God is avoided during our worship services. True worshippers do not gather for themselves but rather for God and are the givers, not the recepients during worship. (John 4:22-24; Eph 5:15-21)
8. KNOWING AND OBEYING CHRIST
The purpose of man on this earth is to glorify God, honor Him and obey Him. We value truth and holiness as virtues that Christians should desire understanding that they come only throught he power of the Holy Spirit. We understand that our mission and vision cannot be our will but God’s will for His glory in all things.
In knowing and obeying Christ, the church must value and adhere to biblical leadership and govern itself according to the examples found in scripture. Pastoral or ‘elder’ leadership is the biblical model of oversight within the body and we value the calling of those who teach and shepherd the flock. In accordance with Hebrews 13:17, they keep watch over the congregation as men who must give an account to God. According to the same text, the congregation is to obey them and submit to their authority so that their work will be a joy and not a burden.
