CORE VALUES
Christ-Exalting Expository Preaching
At the heart of every healthy church is Christ exalting, expository preaching. Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith is the only one who is sufficient for our everyday life. He is the bread of life, the living water, the good shepherd, the vine, the resurrection and life, and the light. As Christ is held high in our services, we behold his glory and are being transformed from one degree of glory to another. Christ is the one through whom we live, move and have our being. Jesus himself said that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The inerrant, inspired Word of God produces our daily nourishment. As we look to the Word, it is a sword that pierces, a mirror that reveals, a seed that germinates, milk that nourishes and lamp that shines, all producing sanctification as we are conformed to the image of God. Christ is exalted and his words are exposited and illuminated to glorify Him.
God-Glorifying, Believer-Edifying Worship
Worship is an expression of praise and adoration that flows from the work of the Spirit of God. It is thanksgiving, adoration and exaltation. “We praise what we prize.” Worship is no longer done at a single place, but through Jesus Christ worship to the Father is possible in Spirit and in truth. As those who offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God our desire is to exalt God at all times, specifically at corporate worship. Songs are lyrics put to a melody and we desire that these songs be edifying to your soul and exalting the work of Christ. Our goal is to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Gospel-Centered Small Groups
As is essential to our vision, edifying believers is a core aspect. We are never under the impression we can make it on our own as the New Testament teaches that the church is there for “one another,” and that is specifically the purpose for which Christ put us in one body. We are all sinners saved by grace. We all need the gospel, not only as the door of salvation, but the ongoing power of our growth! We believe community is vital as the first church gathered for the breaking of bread, fellowship and prayers. The church is a body made up of many members where each member plays a vital role in the local congregation. Small groups give an opportunity for every member of the local body to be accounted for, find their gifting, and serve in the local church. God has placed His redeemed in close knit community to help one another, grow, and exalt Him together.
Spirit-Empowered Personal Discipleship
The bible teaches that God has chosen us to conform us into the image of His son. But as believers we know we are not perfect and are striving day by day to be more like Christ, produce fruit of the Spirit, and live for the Father’s glory. We are called to work out our salvation, dependent on the grace of God. We are called to “exhort one another every day” so that we are not hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Taking the biblical example of the Apostle Paul, we are to pass down and preserve the truth from one generation to the next. As Paul taught Timothy to entrust to faithful men, today men are called to pass down the truth. Women are to teach younger women and so adapt this biblical model of discipleship.
Glory-Driven Local Missions
As Christ commissioned the few, He commissions us today. As those who have been saved by grace and have had the overwhelming weight and guilt of sin removed, our desire is for others to experience the same. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and we strive to be the local spiritual hospital in our community. The power of the gospel is for salvation for all who believe, and our responsibility is to share it first and foremost in our local community. God has many people in every city who are his elect that he will redeem. The call of the church is to make the gospel known and exemplified within the community of believers, producing disciple who are ready to be taught the whole counsel of God.
Glory-Driven Global Missions
The call to make disciples is not limited by a geographical region. Church planting is about reaching people where they have not yet been reached. The glory of God is a global call, reaching people of all nations, for there will come a day when the ransomed of God from every tribe, language, people, and nation will give him glory. As Christ said, the goal is to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is a commitment to local discipleship as well as global, all possible through preaching the power of gospel which is sufficient for salvation.