Core values represent the desired culture that we are striving for as followers of Jesus. A commitment to the characteristics listed below is essential as we reach toward our desired vision. Our goal is that they would become foundation for everything we do as a community of Christ followers. While it may be possible to include other values, these are the bedrock values that we believe are most important.

LOVING

We commit to be a people who passionately love God and our neighbors. The two great commandments sum up the entire teaching of how we are to live as followers of Jesus:

Matthew 22:37-40 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

PRAYERFUL

We commit to frequent, honest and heartfelt prayer. Open conversation with God is the essence of a growing relationship with Him. In prayer we express our love for God, we learn of his desires for our lives and we tap into the unlimited resources of God for the work of ministry.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

COMPASSIONATE

We commit to compassionately care for and accept all people just as they are. God is concerned for the physical, economic and social well-being of people and not just the spiritual. Exercising mercy and working for justice for all is a mandate for God’s people.

Romans 15:7 “Therefore accept one another just as Christ has accepted you, for the glory of God.” Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

TRANSPARENT

We commit to creating an environment where people can be open and honest with one another without fear of judgment or rejection. We are all imperfect people and without honesty we will not grow in our faith. Honesty builds trust and trust leads to authentic community.

James 4:6 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”

SELFLESS

We commit to honor God and others above self. Selflessness is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of others first

James 4:6 “But God gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.”