Life Values
Intimacy with God
The first priority is worship. It is the ultimate practice that leads to all other Christian habits and disciplines. The Christian life flows from a heart that is fully surrendered in worship to our Creator. Worship flows from relationship, not religion. God wants to be wanted, by those who give Him their full devotion.
“Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God.” Psalm 95:6
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6
Authentic Relationships
If our spirituality isn't authentic, then it is fake and phony. The Christian life is the "real" life, where it works seven days a week as we seek to live in God's ever-present kingdom, in His love and grace.
“We loved you so much that we gave you not only God’s good news, but our very lives as well.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8
“So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth, because we belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25
Life Transformation
Jesus wants each of us to grow up in the faith. It wasn't a positive thing when Jesus told the Twelve, "oh you of little faith." Jesus wants to lead us into a bigger faith, where we grow to maturity in Christ.
D.L. Moody, "The Bible wasn't given for our information, but for out transformation.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God continually transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2
“You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy and true.” Ephesians 4:24
Uniquely Designed Members
God created each person with Divine dignity. Each person has value and worth, being created in the image of God. The body of Christ functions best when each unique member contributes to the body as a whole. Every person is important and valued as part of the whole.
“He is the one who gave these gifts to us to be apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers, to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things that he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Sacrificial Living
Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). God so loved the world that He gave... (John 3:16) God held nothing back when He gave to us... (Roman 8:32).
“No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as they had need.” Acts 4:32
"All the believers were of one heart and mind." Acts 2:44
Community Impact
We understand that God’s calling on our church is to go beyond just serving inside the walls of our church. We are constantly looking for opportunities to honor God by serving others.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain glowing in the night for all to see.” Matthew 5:14
”When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7
Guiding Principles:
People matter to God. (Luke 15)
Everybody is to be cared for by somebody (Acts 4:34-35; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)
The church is to be externally focused (Acts 6:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:8)
Expect the unexpected (Hebrews 11:6)
Irrelevance is irreverence (Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 9:22b)
Playing it safe is risky (Luke 12:13-21)
Nothing begins without prayer (John 16:24, Matthew 7:7-8))
You cannot out-give God (Luke 6:38)
Maturity does not equal conformity (1 Corinthians 12:18-20)
Maturity is for ministry (Ephesians 4:12-13)
It's never too late to be who you might have been (Phil 3:12-14)
Truth is stronger than error (John 8:32)
People must be treated gently and respectfully. (1 Peter 3:15)
