Our Core Values
What we value helps shape and form our church culture. These values are not laws that stop us doing new things, but rather are a framework that help us navigate the way ahead. They help us to keep on track and move forward effectively. We like to think of these values under five sub-headings.
(1) Grace
- Value (1) Priority of Evangelism
A healthy church grows and reproduces.
Growth: a passion for outreach. We are committed to working together to bring lost people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We know that lost people belong to God, therefore they matter to us as a church.
(Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 18:14)
- Value (2) Commitment to Missions
All people are important to God. We show His love by meeting physical and spiritual needs locally, nationally, and globally. We possess God's love for the people of this world, expressed through a lifestyle committed to communicating the reality of Jesus Christ to the lost peoples of our world!
(Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:47-49)
(2) Growth
- Value (3) Biblical Integrity
The Bible is God's word to us, it shows us the way to live. We must know what it says, emphasise what it emphasises, and, most of all, do what it says!
We are, therefore, committed to clear and accurate communication of God's word, in a way that ministers grace and urges obedience. We also believe that anointed teaching and preaching is the catalyst for transformation in individual lives and in the church.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:23-25; Romans 12:7)
- Value (4) Impacting Worship and Prayer
Dynamic and creative worship honours God, builds community, cultivates spiritual growth, celebrates salvation, and calls us to mission.
Prayer is essential to seeking God's will and direction. Prayer undergirds all ministry. We recognise our dependence on God through prayer!
(Psalm 95:1-7; John 4:23-24; Matthew 7:7-8; Acts 2:42)
- Value (5) Whole Life Discipleship
Full devotion to Jesus Christ is normal for a believer. Therefore, we teach all Christians to believe Jesus' words, obey His commands, and do His works. We aim first to grow disciples of Jesus ourselves and then to make disciples of others. We believe that followers of Jesus should manifest an authenticity and a yearning for continuous growth.
Jesus Christ calls us to passionately follow Him in all areas of our lives. This devotion is expressed in our commitment to:
- Regular worship, including public worship services, personal Bible reading, meditation, and prayer.
- Our lives being given over to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so that His gifts and His fruit are evident in our daily lives.
(Colossians 3:1-17; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:25-26,32; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 1:6)
- Value (6) Commitment to Excellence
As a church we believe that excellence honours God and inspires people. All we do is to honour God. Our lives, in attitude, word, and action, reveal our commitment to honour God - whether we are ministering within the context of 'church' or simply during our 'normal' life.
(Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Proverbs 27:17)
(3) Groups
- Value (7) Inclusive Community Fellowship
Life groups (or small groups) are vital for a believer's spiritual growth. Some of the best life-change happens in a life group! Life groups give us an environment to practice the disciplines of a healthy spiritual life. These include accountability to other believers, development of meaningful relationships, participation in prayer, and application of God's word. Therefore, we are committed to seeing life groups grow in number as the church grows - that we may provide care, encouragement, and opportunity for both spiritual growth and the reaching of lost people.
(Acts 2:42-47; Luke 6:12-13)
- Value (8) The Local Church
Through the local body of Christ, God will reveal Himself to this world. The local church is the hope of the world! Therefore, we are committed to being a church that is culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure.
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
(4) Gifts
- Value (9) Biblical Leadership
We believe that the church should be led by people with leadership gifts. Therefore, leadership is responsible to provide leadership. God requires leadership to challenge, encourage, motivate, and equip the church to be His arm of redemption in the world. God has given gifted leaders to lead and equip the saints for the tasks of service - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
(Nehemiah 1-2; Romans 2:8; Acts 6:2-5; Ephesians 4:11-13)
- Value (10) Every Member Ministry
Every member is to be an active and important part of the ministry of the church. Every Christian is a minister. We are commissioned by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit to display who God is to the world. We are therefore committed to a team model of ministry and organisation that equips and empowers every member for ministry.
(Ephesians 4:11-16)
(5) Giving
- Value (11) Good Stewardship
God's work is sustained by the return of at least a tithe (10%) of our God-given resources of time, talents, and money. This is to be payed into the house of God (local church). Our attitude is to be that giving is the core of acknowledging personal faith. Thus it is to be done in a cheerful and generous way, not under compulsion.
(Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
- Value (12) Committment to Service
Each Christian has spiritual gifts for ministry. Therefore, as a church it is important for us to help our members discover what their gifts are and how to use them. This way we will help the church function as a body and help the members of the body value their inter-personal relationships. Then the church will operate as a unified community of servants with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Ephesians 4; Psalm 133:1)