Our Core Values
Steadfast Covenant Love
Steadfast covenant love is the love God shows to us, asks from us and desires us to show to the world. Steadfast covenant love exists only in relationship to another and is action, not merely emotion. Steadfast covenant love is the interaction of love, strength and constancy and includes both obligation and generosity, both loyalty and mercy.
We receive steadfast covenant love from God. It is grace, a free gift that had its fulfillment in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In gratitude, we share this love with each other and with those who do not know that such love exists and is available to all who choose to receive it.
Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:37-39, John 13:34-35, I John 3:1, Ephesians 5:1-2, John 1:12
Spiritual Formation for Transformed Living
Spiritual formation is the process and journey of becoming more Christ-like. Spiritual formation promotes authentic spiritual growth and maturity. Spiritual formation helps give balance and meaning to life and leads us into the wisdom of God, which is right living.
In spiritual formation, we practice spiritual disciplines in order to experience God in our daily lives as individuals and as a community of Christ. We are transformed by our encounter with God, made a new creation in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". We see God in action in our lives and Jesus living in us.
Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:1-2, Matthew 18:3-4, II Corinthians 5:17, John 14:6, Colossians 2:6-7, II Peter 3:18
Community
Community is made up of all ages, all ethnicities and cultures, all educational and all socio-economic levels. Community is people of different backgrounds coming together in unity around the One Table of Christ. Community does not mean we are all the same, but it does mean that we are all one in Christ, just as Jesus and the Father are one.
We gather together to share our love of God, our joy in Christ and our unity in the Holy Spirit. We recognize, affirm and celebrate our differences as a blessing given by God in order to build up the community. We are the kingdom of God on earth, the body of Christ and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:3-6 and 11-13, Luke 17:20-21, John 10:30, John 17:22-23, Romans 12:4-5, I Corinthians 3:16, 12:4-7, and 14:12
Worship
Worship glorifies God, allows us to enter into and experience His presence and is relevant to our daily lives. Worship is centered on the proclamation of the Word through the Bible and the Lord's Supper. Elements of worship include music and singing, prayer, liturgy and preaching Holy Scripture so that it is relevant to our everyday lives.
The more fully we know God the more we express our love to God in worship. Worship is the joy and awe of being with God. Through worship, we give glory and honor and praise to God our Creator, Christ our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Guide and Comfort.
Psalms 46:10, Hosea 6:6, I John 1:1-4, Revelation 14:7, Pslams 100:2
Children and Youth
Children and youth are both our present and our future. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" and "...unless you change and become like little childre, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven". Children see God with innocent eyes and are in God's special care. As Jesus said, "Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father."
The culture around us often doesn not value children and youth, but we believe that the kingdom belongs to them. Look into the eyes of a newborn and you can get a glimpse of God, because that child has so recently seen God's face. We love, nurture, and treasure our children and youth.
Matthew 18:3-6 and 10, Mark 10:14-15
|
