DRAFT
The six Core Values we have decided on are the following:
Here are the draft definitions of each of the Core Values.
Christ-Centered
Christ liberates us from our sin-bound existence into a life of freedom, abundance and wholeness. The weight of sin and unhealthy living is lifted and our spirits grow more whole as we walk in Christ’s presence daily.
We look to Christ as our example for daily living. While on earth, Christ provided the example of a person completely whole in all aspects of what a person is. We desire to follow in His example.
Our understanding of Christ-centeredness comes from John 15:1-17. In this passage, Jesus shared that He is the vine and we are the branches. We exist and are sustained by Christ’s active loving interest in us.
We have a deep, abiding, and intimate fellowship with Christ. It is our joyful privilege to worship God. It is in Christ’s presence that we find healing and wise solutions to life’s problems. We find comfort and care. We find rest.
Our understanding of our relationship with Christ comes from the Bible, from some Christian traditions, and from direct revelation of the Holy Spirit in our spirit. This relationship causes us to grow into the being God intended and drives us toward doing all that we do.
Fellowship
It is in fellowship where all other values take on personal meaning. Fellowship takes place in all areas of the church, our faith community.
Fellowship is communion, sharing, nurturing, and caring. We willingly give and receive from one another. Our fellowship is characterized by love and concern for one another. In a real sense it is an extended family. We share the experiences of life good and difficult, eternal and temporal.
Love one another(Romans 12:10), Communion(I Corinthians 11:23-26), Kindness(Ephesians 4:22), Comfort(II Corinthians 1:4)
Healing
Our goal is to progress from brokenness or illness to wellness.
Our church, the faith community, is a spiritual hospital of sorts; a place of liberation and of healing. We find liberation in the promises of Christ. Christ promises freedom from sin and the results of un-forgiven sin. “Jesus said, ‘I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!’” Then Jesus said to those who “claimed to believe in him. ‘If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you… So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.’” (John 14:6; 8:31-32, 36; MSG1)
Christ promises freedom and abundant life. This is life liberated from anything that would inhibit your spiritual growth and is a life healed of spiritual illness.
Wholeness
When we speak of wholeness, we find meaning on the individual level, familial level, small group, and the community level.
Individual Wholeness
For the Individual, wholeness embodies all dimensions of the self. It is easy for us to think of the person being comprised of body, mind and spirit. Our spiritual dimension is that which is eternal and therefore authentic. Everything else is an expression of our spirit, or more clearly, our spirit operates through the facility of our minds and bodies.
The Faith Community
Cultivating wholeness is akin to cultivating a garden. In order to grow healthy plants to maturity three things are needed. One, you need the ground in which to plant the seeds; two, there are be seeds to be planted; three, people to tend to the garden. Our church, the local faith community, is the ground in which all of us are planted and grow. The faith community provides a safe, compassionate, and nurturing environment in which to learn and grow. There is a spirit of oneness and giving. The Small Group provides a safe and intimate setting in which each individual can grow toward Wholeness.
Families are a special part of the community. It is in the family that all the aspects of wholeness are learned. In the family learning leads toward understanding which brings freedom and wisdom. We deeply desire to help families become more whole, more complete, more healthy. Through our faith community, couples learn healthy ways of relating and living with each other. All of our core values support the establishment and nourishment of couples and families.
Spiritual Growth
If placed in the proper nourishing environment, given care, all plant and animal life will grow. It is God’s design that we grow. All living things will grow to their optimum size for the environment they are placed in.
We assist individuals to develop to their full potential in all facets of their lives. We help couples and families establish healthy, loving ways of relating. We work diligently to see that the church at large experiences these same ways of caring, nourishing living.
All growth in the church is founded upon spiritual growth. We expect to see increases in inspiring worship, holistic small groups, church property and buildings, staff and organizational structure, and loving relationships. All growth is guided and centered around Christ and His teachings.
Education
Hebrews 13:20a, 21b: “May the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will…”
In order to be whole and help others do the same, we must be equipped. In order to be equipped, we delight in Christ’s teachings on Abundant Living as applied to every life stage and variety of circumstances. We embrace growth of leadership from within via openness to a variety of educational situations. Some are ad hoc and/or experimental. Others, such as Bible study classes and discipleship mentoring programs, are permanent fixtures.
Given the fact that Education supports all other core values, it is a work in progress. In keeping with healthy growth, we regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our education ministry. Input toward the educational ministry from the church at large is welcome.
References
1 Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.