Our Beliefs and Shared Values
Our VISION
Following Christ Together
As Diverse Communities
Our Beliefs
Our beliefs influence everything about who we are, what we do, and what we don’t do. They are the building blocks alongside faith in our Triune God that shape our Church.
What do we believe?
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
Acts 4:10
“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”
Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Corinthians 12:12
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
Mathew 28:16-20
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Our Shared Values
As Christians, our worth is not determined by wealth, power, or fame. We are determined to find stronger support to help us move beyond our fears, anxieties, and weaknesses. As we seek, day by day, to live out our faith, these aspects of life are held to higher standards. These important principles shape us as Christians and help us to live a full life, which is given to us by Christ.
Dependence on God
We increase our dependence on God with the help of the Holy Spirit through hearing, studying, and living God’s word, and faithful prayer, worship, and fellowship.
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Authentic Community
We act with love and care in personal relationships, small groups, and ministry teams by encouraging and being accountable to one another under Christ.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
Diversity With Justice
We celebrate diversity in community as God’s gift to us, and pursue reconciliation with justice among ourselves and in our society and systems as our response to God.
“Christ’s purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” – Ephesians 2:15b-16
Gift-Based Serving
We all are equally valuable image-bearers of God, regardless of ability, age, gender, and race, and serve God and one another with Christ-like passion and Spirit-conferred gifts.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Kingdom Impact
We advance Christ’s Lordship by developing disciples and leaders for serving in multicultural settings, and by reciprocal partnering with other congregations and ministries.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Local-Global Outreach
We share God’s love by actions and words in the neighborhood of each congregation, and with our neighbors throughout our city, our nation, and the world.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20a
