About Us \ Values \ More Values

TRUTH

We believe that there is a central and unifying truth that God has revealed to His church so that we could live in relationship with Him. This truth is found in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our responsibility as followers of Jesus is to seek how the truth that has been revealed applies to our daily life. This revelation happens through increasing our understanding of the Bible and through wisdom and direction granted us by the Holy Spirit. While we do believe in truth that is revealed, we also believe that truth often leads us to places of mystery, awe, and wonder. Resting and wrestling with this truth is beneficial for us both as individuals and the church as a whole. (John 14:6, John 8:31-32, Hebrews 1:1-3, John 1:1-5,14)

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

We believe that as we follow Jesus we will become more like Him in character and in nature. The language that we as a church have chosen to help us understand this value is “to grow as learners, lovers, and givers.” As we deepen our knowledge and understanding (learner) of God’s love and grace for us, then we are compelled to respond with love for God and His creation (lover). As we grow in that love, we are moved to offer of ourselves from all that we have been given (giver). This allows us to show the world around us the body of Christ and bring glory to God. (Colossians 2:2-3, 6, 1 John 4:19, 1 Corinthians 13, John 15:13, John 15: 5 - 8, Ephesians 5:1-2)  

MISSION

We believe that from the beginning of creation, God has had a desire for the world to know Him and understand that for which they (we) were created. It is clear that the world is broken and in need of rescue. God has offered this rescue through His son, Jesus. Jesus spoke frequently of God’s Kingdom as the place where God has control and His will is done. We look to participate with Jesus in His work to have the Kingdom advance in our lives and our culture in all its dimensions… spiritual, emotional, and physical. (Matthew 4:17, Matthew 13, Matthew 25:24-46, Luke 24:26-29, Matthew 28:18-20)  

INTERDEPENDENCE

We believe that a picture is painted throughout the New Testament of the church as the “Body of Christ” with each individual serving as a different body part with different “gifts” to contribute. This picture implies a series of interconnected and interdependent elements working together in service of a common mission. This understanding should create in us a burden to discover what we have been given and how we are to give it back for the common good of the Body of Christ and the world around us. It also should create in us a sense of humility resulting from the understanding that we need each other in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives. (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12)  

SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

We believe that our culture is increasingly uncomfortable with the concept of authority. However, scripture models a benevolent authority throughout its pages. We see this in the trinity, in Jesus’ commissioning His disciples, in the church of Acts, and in many other places authority is dispensed with the mandate of acting not in the best interest of the one who holds the authority, but in the best interest of the one being led. We believe that there is an authority structure necessary in the church, starting with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, testified to in the bible, and flowing through a church leadership structure involving elders and deacons. Submitting to this structure will allow us to be more effective in accomplishing the mission set out before us. (Genesis 1-3, Mark 14:36, Matthew 16: 17-19, Matthew 20:25-28)