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Core Values

(MATTHEW 28:19-20)

Every Person, Called to Discipleship.

The reason it is imperative to remember this truth is that it is so easy to get smug about the blessings occurring at our church - people being saved, the worship center full, God's Spirit present. Yet, the reason we feel at times so successful is because we compare ourselves with other churches and think that we are really doing it. However, when we compare ourselves with the Great Commission that Jesus gave to us, we realize that we still have a long ways to go. If we are going to get serious about fulfilling the Great Commission, then we have to begin to move ministry out to our neighborhoods, schools, and work places - into the daily relationships that we all have.

Ministry Best Occurs Through Relationships

This makes sense, and yet most Christians do not develop ministry around the natural webs of relationships - those who are in a common vocation, common family, common location or have a common interest. Christians are to minister as they go. Our sovereign God has surrounded us in our daily life with people who need our love and Christ's love

This means meeting people's spiritual needs, but more. We must deal with people's emotional, relational and physical needs. God's basic desire is to heal the hurts of people. Only as we pay the price of involvement in people's lives, do we earn the right to minister to them.

It is not a matter of whether we should evangelize or disciple, because we are commanded to do both. The Bible makes it clear that the only reason for the delay of Jesus' return is so that more people can come to faith in Christ (2 Peter 3:9 ). Also, discipleship always begins with evangelism, and the goal of discipleship is for the disciple to become an evangelist. Evangelism is why we are here.

The separation of the church into laity and priesthood is a leftover from Judaism and Catholicism. People have almost gotten the idea that unless they are full time in ministry, God cannot really use them. This is not what the New Testament teaches. Rather, all Christians, by the fact of the rebirth, have received God's Spirit and are commissioned to be ministers in their daily lives.

Over ten times in the book of Acts, the reference is made to the church meeting collectively in a large gathering, and then in small groups, house to house. People have a great desire to be a part of a large group gathering. In fact, the more packed it is at a basketball game, football game or a worship service, the more exciting it is to be there. Yet at the same time, people can fear large groups because we all desire to be more that just a number. They also desire the relationships and fellowship that a small group can offer.