he most significant factor of any church or ministry is its value system. Identifying the core values that define us as a community of faith is of crucial importance. These values will guide our pursuits of what we want to accomplish and will define the ways in which we seek to accomplish various ministry objectives. In essence, core values are the bottom line for what our church will do and not do, and are the driving force behind our church behavior and our very culture. Our core values will play a crucial role in such vital areas as making ministry decisions, risk taking, problem solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, and priorities setting for ministry.
| Trinity and Christ |
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To our God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — as the object of our devotion. (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 10:30
,38; 1Co. 3:11; 1Co. 8:6; 1Co. 11:3; Eph. 1:5). We believe that nothing, including our Christian beliefs and experience, can replace
God as the object of our devotion and worship.
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To Jesus Christ our Savior, Example, Friend, and Master. (1Co. 11:1; jn. 15:15; Ro. 15:5; Ro. 10:4; Php. 4:13). We believe that our lives are to mirror that of our Lord; that we may enjoy an intimate relationship with Him; and willingly give our full allegiance to Him as our trustworthy Guide.
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To serve Christ by continuing His ministry in the world. (Mt. 28:18-20; 2Co. 5:20; Eph. 6:7; 1Pe. 5:2; 1Co. 4:1). We believe that we serve God best by proclaiming Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Savior, and by bringing His love, peace, and hope to our community and the world.
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| Scripture |
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To the primacy of Scripture as the authoritative Word of God and the ultimate rule of our faith and practice. (Mt. 5:17-18; 2Ti. 3:16; 2Pe 1:20). God revealed Himself and His will through the special revelation of Scripture. There is no greater authority on matters of belief and conduct than the Bible, and we believe it to be infallible and trustworthy.
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To the study and application of Scripture in our lives individually and corporately. (2Ti. 3:15; Jas. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 1Co. 15:1-5). We believe that the quality of our Christian walk depends largely upon nourishing ourselves through Scripture on a daily basis.
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To the clear and relevant communication of Scriptures to our church and the world. (Ac. 2; Ac. 17:15-34; 1Co. 9:20-22). We believe that our efforts to bring the Good News to the church and, particularly, to our community must be culturally meaningful and pertinent. Relevant communication will also involve the use of modern technology. What we say and the way we say it must reflect the needs of the people of our community, as well as answer the important questions of life.
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| Prayer |
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To claiming the power of prayer individually and corporately. (2Th. 1:11-12; Eph. 3:16; Eph. 6:18). We believe that our God is a personal God who listens and responds to prayer. Therefore, prayer transforms us at all levels and testifies to our faith that we worship a living God.
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| Church |
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To worshiping God in reverence, with openness, creativity, and integrity to our beliefs (Ps. 95:6; Isa. 56:7; Jn. 4:23; Heb. 12:28; Heb. 4:13; Ro. 7:6; Tit. 2:7 - NEB). We believe that the church is a community of believers who respond to the biblical appeal to welcome "all people" in worship. This inclusive experience allows for diversity in thought and practice, while ensuring that worshipers will not be compromised by the negative aspects of contemporary culture in approaching the One and only object of worship.
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To godly servant-leadership that mentors and equips the members of the church for ministry. (Eph. 4:11-12; Jn 13:13-17; Mk. 10:42-45; 1Co. 11:1; 2Th. 3:8-9). We believe that Christ's leadership models the ideal for all members of His body, both pastors and members. He was Friend and Teacher. His servant-leadership is clearly stated in Isa. 61:1-3.
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To accepting all people as they are and providing a caring environment where they will be safe to be themselves. (Jn. 13:34-35; Ro. 12:10; Mt. 22:37-39; 1Pe. 3:8). We believe that Christ's redemptive ministry was predominantly involved in building relationships with people from all sectors of human experience. We hold that He commissions His disciples to create a welcome and save environment for all persons seeking peace with God, with themselves and in community with others.
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To personal relationships that are open and respectful, with integrity, love and a willingness to listen and forgive. (1Co. 2:11; Mt. 18:15-17). We believe that Christ modeled the ideal in interpersonal relationships. His approach to relationship building is clearly expressed in the following invitation. "Come unto Me, all you who are wearly and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). He further states that the burdens of life become bearable in a relationship with another who honesty and faithfully shares the load.
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To the growth and development of all who will follow Christ to spiritual maturity. (Php. 1:6; Heb. 13:20-21; 2Ti. 2:15; 1Pe. 3:15; 2Pe. 1:5-7; Eph. 4:12-15). All Christians should expect to attain spiritual maturity. The Church should be the community in which believers can encourage on eanother as they grow in Christ.
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To being faithful stewards of all resources entrusted to us by God. (Mt. 25:20-23; Mt. 6:19-21; Mal. 3:10; Ge. 41:48-49; 45:6-7; 1Ki. 17:13-14; 1Ti. 4:14). We believe that the resources we have are not our own, but belong to God. He has entrusted them to us to provide both for our own needs and the needs of the gospel. Such resources include, but are not necessarily limited to, finances, time, and talent. The exercise of responsible stewardship is part of spiritual growth.
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To creating an environment to honor God through the expression of the arts and an appreciation of nature. (Ge. 1:25-26; Psa. 33:2-3; Mt. 22:37). Our human experience is pervaded by order and beauty, in spite of the presence of sin. We believe that our Christian faith ought to cultivate interest in nature and the arts (e.g., music, drama, poetry, painting, various liturgical elements, etc.). They provide touchstones for reflection through which we connect with God, the ultimate Source of beauty and creativity.
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| World |
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To the salvation of all people, beginning with our neighbors. (Ac. 18:24-28; Ac. 2:44-47; Mt. 28:18-20). We believe we have been commissioned to pursue the mission of God on this earth and attempt to reach those in our immediate community, through an intentional witness of word and lifestyle.
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To being hospitable and accepting of those whom God brings into our church. (Heb. 13:2). We believe it is our responsibility to create a warm, kind, and inviting atmosphere in our church for visitors.
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To providing for the poor in our community. (Ac. 9:36; Eph. 4:28; Deu. 14:28-29). We believe we continue Christ's ministry when we alleviate physical and economic needs in the world. This mission becomes particularly significant when we understand that Christ consciously spent much of his time ministering to the poor and the oppressed.
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To active ministry for children. (Deu. 6:6-7; Pr. 22:6; Mt. 19:14; Eph. 6:4b). We believe that Christ has a special interest in children, and it is our purpose to introduce Him to them.
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To Bible-based teaching and evangelism. (Deu. 6:6-7; Mt. 22:37; 28:19-20; Jn. 6:63; 1Pe. 3:15b; Col. 4:6.). We believe that the Bible-based message of God's plan of salvation through Christ must be at the heart of all our outreach efforts. An authoritative biblical foundation is essential to the credibility of our message.
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To being good stewards of God's creation. (Ge. 2:15; Psa. 8:6; 1Pe. 4:10). We believe that we honor our Creator when we exercise responsibility with regard to His creation, so we strive to be ecologically conscious and accountable.
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To a positive relationship with our society. (Ge. 41:39-40,44-45;Psa. 24:1; Jer. 29:5-7; Dan. 1:19-21; Mt. 22:21; Ro. 13:1-7, 14:14; 1Co. 9:19-23.). We believe that, while we have a responsibility for corrective dialogue with our culture, we desure to assume toward it a positive and constructive disposition.
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