Our Values
We Value All People : Belonging to Christ: gives us hope, inviting others in shares it.
We Seek Ongoing growth: Seeking God grows our faith, discipleship forms it.
We bear Christ's name: Leading by example teaches us humility, graciousness shows it.
We live active faith: Serving our community shows us the need, self sacrifice fills it.
We graciously love: Reaching all people is our purpose, loving our neighbour is how we do it.
We Seek Ongoing growth: Seeking God grows our faith, discipleship forms it.
We bear Christ's name: Leading by example teaches us humility, graciousness shows it.
We live active faith: Serving our community shows us the need, self sacrifice fills it.
We graciously love: Reaching all people is our purpose, loving our neighbour is how we do it.
Belonging
We belong to God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
He makes us who we are – we come to Him in belief, repentance, and baptism to new life (freedom) in Christ. We recognize his immeasurable gift to us through communion and the outflowing of that is participation within the body
Romans 7:4: “Likewise my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”
We belong to one another in the church
Recognizing our equality in Christ, we strive to respect our differences and generously exercise our unique gifts. This is manifested in participation in the membership covenant through worship, service, discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship; to do as a group, what we cannot accomplish as individuals.
Romans 12:3-5: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
He makes us who we are – we come to Him in belief, repentance, and baptism to new life (freedom) in Christ. We recognize his immeasurable gift to us through communion and the outflowing of that is participation within the body
Romans 7:4: “Likewise my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”
We belong to one another in the church
Recognizing our equality in Christ, we strive to respect our differences and generously exercise our unique gifts. This is manifested in participation in the membership covenant through worship, service, discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship; to do as a group, what we cannot accomplish as individuals.
Romans 12:3-5: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Seeking God
We seek God intentionally We believe it is of utmost importance to continually seek to know God more and to actively discern His direction for our lives. We do this primarily through prayer, scripture, and worship.
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seeking through prayer and scripture
Prayer is our direct connection with God – our lifeline – and is at the foundation of everything we do, individually and collectively. It involves both speaking with God and listening for His guidance and direction through the Holy Spirit (Psalms 46:10; Ephesians 3:2-6). Scripture is God’s Word to us. It enables us to gain further understanding of who God is and how He wants us to live. Scripture is our guide for living out our faith in our daily lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2 Chronicles 7:14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Seeking through worship
We are in awe of God and worship Him first and foremost because of who He is – all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and perfect (Psalms 68:4-6; Psalms 95:1-7). Part of worship is also giving thanks to God for what He has done. We believe that every area of life can be an act of worship to bring glory to God, and we seek to live this out daily.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Seeking through prayer and scripture
Prayer is our direct connection with God – our lifeline – and is at the foundation of everything we do, individually and collectively. It involves both speaking with God and listening for His guidance and direction through the Holy Spirit (Psalms 46:10; Ephesians 3:2-6). Scripture is God’s Word to us. It enables us to gain further understanding of who God is and how He wants us to live. Scripture is our guide for living out our faith in our daily lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2 Chronicles 7:14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Seeking through worship
We are in awe of God and worship Him first and foremost because of who He is – all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and perfect (Psalms 68:4-6; Psalms 95:1-7). Part of worship is also giving thanks to God for what He has done. We believe that every area of life can be an act of worship to bring glory to God, and we seek to live this out daily.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Leading By Example
As people of the church, we will lead:
As followers of Christ, we will lead:
As leaders, we will lead:
Peter 5:2-3: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
- in speech... the way we communicate
- in manner of life... the way we conduct ourselves
- in love... the way we respond to God and people
- in faith... the way we trust God
- in purity... the way we confront temptation & sin in our lives
- in work ethic... the way we serve
- in goodness... the way we demonstrate integrity
As followers of Christ, we will lead:
- in humility... how to treat people with the heart of a servant (John 13:15; Philippians 2:5-8)
- in perseverance... how to endure suffering or adverse circumstances without losing joy (1 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 12:1-4)
As leaders, we will lead:
- in attitude toward serving... with an impassioned heart, not discouraged by the time and effort it takes
- in attitude toward money... with an undivided heart toward God, not distracted by greed in having or making money
- in attitude toward the people we serve... with a humble heart, not delusional about our importance and influence over others.
Peter 5:2-3: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Serving Our Community
We will serve our community inside the church
We are all gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve the Body of Jesus Christ, and it is through our service that the Body becomes strong, healthy, and life-giving.
Romans 12:6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.
We will serve our community outside of the church
As we grow in faithfulness serving in the Body, we will joyfully serve our community outside the church so that they too may experience the redemptive grace of our Lord Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We are all gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve the Body of Jesus Christ, and it is through our service that the Body becomes strong, healthy, and life-giving.
Romans 12:6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.
We will serve our community outside of the church
As we grow in faithfulness serving in the Body, we will joyfully serve our community outside the church so that they too may experience the redemptive grace of our Lord Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Reaching People All People
We seek to save the lost
The purpose of the church is to share Jesus with everyone, through seeking out those that are not yet following Christ, through a loving and gracious relationship with them that shows Christ, through a full awareness of the cost to choose Christ, and an invitation to accept the cost and follow Him.
Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
1 Corinthians 9:19, 22: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
Striving for unity
We seek that all may be saved, including those within the body who have hurt others in the church through wrong-doing knowingly or unknowingly. We strive to follow the Spirit and be so humbled to forgive and welcome back those who repent and return to Christ.
Matthew 18:15: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
We seek to save the lost
The purpose of the church is to share Jesus with everyone, through seeking out those that are not yet following Christ, through a loving and gracious relationship with them that shows Christ, through a full awareness of the cost to choose Christ, and an invitation to accept the cost and follow Him.
Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
1 Corinthians 9:19, 22: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
Striving for unity
We seek that all may be saved, including those within the body who have hurt others in the church through wrong-doing knowingly or unknowingly. We strive to follow the Spirit and be so humbled to forgive and welcome back those who repent and return to Christ.
Matthew 18:15: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”