BELIEFS- CORE VALUES
Lordship of Christ: We acknowledge and celebrate Christ as the Head of our church. As His body, we submit our lives, decisions and ministries to Him.
Eph 1:22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior., 1 Cor 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God., 2 Tim 2:21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work., 1 Peter 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do
Worship and Praise: We acknowledge God's supreme value and indescribable worth by entering into the presence of God through an authentic attitude of admiration and reverence.
1 Thess 5:16 Be joyful always, Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Prayer: As a people of prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God by making prayer central to our lives and ministries.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer., Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God., 1 Thess 5:17 Pray continually, 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
The Great Commission Christ has commanded us to make disciples. We desire to create an appealing and exciting environment that will reach non-Christians and develop them into fully committed followers of Christ.
Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2 Cor 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, Col 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ., 2 Tim 2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer.
Bible-Centered Preaching and Teaching: We believe Scripture is God's inspired and authoritative Word. The Bible is timeless and relevant to the lives of all people. We are committed to communicating God's truths through godly leadership, preaching and teaching which are grounded in the Bible.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer., Eph 4:12-13 ...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ., 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth., 2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work., 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction., Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart., 2 Pet 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
Ministries: We believe that every member is a minister and the purpose of all ministries is to call people to Christ. We therefore seek, through a spirit of servant-based love, to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our congregation, community and world.
Rom 12:4-8 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. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully., 1 Cor 12:4-6, 27-28 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Relationships: We believe in a spiritual environment that fosters genuine love, wholesome relationships and authentic interaction. Fellowship is a means to strengthen our congregational bonds and encourage one another.
Acts 2:44-46 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,, Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Grace Oriented: The kindness of God leads us to genuine repentance. We therefore emphasize God's mercy, acceptance and forgiveness through personal faith in Jesus Christ and attempt to motivate people through love and thankfulness rather than guilt or shame.
Rom 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?, 1 Cor 10:23 "Everything is permissible" but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" but not everything is constructive. , 1 Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres., Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace., 1 Thess 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
