Core Values:
Beyond our historical roots, which help define who we are, each local church holds certain values in high regard. That is why, you may even visit two different churches with the exact same name, but recognize that each one is still unique. For us, these additional priorities are also biblically based. These are the values that define who we are and how we approach ministry as a body. While we have many good things to focus on which are not listed, our core values reflect the issues we desire to keep in front of us.
We are committed to...
• Biblical Truth & Authority – We believe neither man nor tradition can take priority over the revealed Word of God. Any opinion or question about ministry, life choices, and individual viewpoints comes back to, “what does God say about this?”
• Authentic Worship – We believe worship is doing anything for the glory of God. And in every form – personal and corporate – it is His desire to communicate with us, and us with Him. He also gave us the forms of celebration, prayer, praise, confession, thanksgiving, and petition to keep and deepen our relationship with Him.
• Discipleship – We believe doing “good” things without a clear Biblical purpose will not advance God’s kingdom nor serve one of four key components of discipleship: Win, Build, Equip, & Send. To live for Christ, think like Christ, and bring others to Christ is a lifestyle. In order to maintain the priority of the “Great Commission” we are commanded to invest ourselves in others so they too will become followers of Christ (evangelism) and through God’s Spirit they can mature into those who will lead others to become disciples (mission).
• Gift-Oriented Service – Service to Christ means serving His Church – the local body – with the gift(s) each believer is given by God. Our on-going ministries should develop from a God-given passion and humility, not from programs or guilt. Our talents, spiritual gifts, experiences, personality traits, etc are all part of how we are “wired” and allow us to uniquely minister to others. We serve so that the body can be built up and those in the surrounding community may develop a hunger to know God from what they see in His Church.
• Stewardship – We believe God has blessed us with spiritual and earthly gifts and He is trustworthy, continually supplying all of our needs. Our time, talents, and financial resources all belong to God and we will be accountable how we invest those gifts in God’s Kingdom.
• Strong Families – We believe God has designated the family as the primary unit for social stability where one man and one woman join together in marriage for life. Our ministries, ministry schedule, and keeping children together with adults as often as possible are to be a reflection of the priority of the family.
• Healthy Relationships – We believe the “one anothers” commanded in the New Testament can only be fully lived out when individuals know each other on a significant level. Small group communities, ministry teams, and prayer partnerships are where believers are challenged, encouraged, matured, and held accountable.
• Excellence – We believe God is a God of excellence. Each member of the local church is called to give his/her best in ministry to others with humility, commitment, and personal responsibility.
If you want to know more, our doctrinal statement has more information.
Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:23-25
John 4:24, Acts 2:43-47, Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:16, 23
Matthew 10:16-23; 28:18-20, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 14:25-35, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 2:1-8
Matthew 20:28, John 13:1-17, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:12, 1 Peter 4:9-11
Matthew 6:19-24; 13:22; 19:24, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:7-11
Gen. 2:8-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:21-6:4, Col. 3:18-21, 1 Timothy 5:1-8, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:1-7
Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:21, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Peter 1:22
Proverbs 15:31, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 10:31, Galatians 6:4, Colossians 3:17; 23, 2 Timothy 2:15