The church is a vibrant community
Acts 2:42,43  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
The literal rendering of the Greek word translated as “church” is, “the called out ones.”   The emphasis is on people living their lives together in a way that promotes spiritual growth and involvement in the community.
The church is not a place or an organization.

​

Every member has a role
Ephesians 4:16  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
When Paul (one of the New Testament authors) describes a healthy church, he uses the metaphor of a human body.  The body parts represent individuals, and their interdependence and health leads to a vibrant church community.  In the same way, we believe every member has the opportunity to grow and contribute to the advancement of the church.  We believe people who don’t have the opportunity to find their role in the body of Christ never reach their full God-given potential and will always feel empty.

​

The Bible matters, a lot
2 Timothy 3:16,17   All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God p may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We believe God spoke and preserved his words in the bible for our good.  Therefore we seek to learn, apply, and teach his word.  We are not bound by institutions, rituals, or traditions created by others.

 

Jesus is the way

John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus, as the son of God, made it possible for all people, of all time, to be personally and eternally related to God.  Many religions embody various spiritual realities, but cannot provide truth which leads to God.

​

Mentoring makes a difference
2 Timothy 2:2 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.

People need the guidance and love of close friends to grow spiritually.  God also created us to give to others.  Giving and receiving love through mentoring is at the core of our lives.  People rarely grow in difficult spiritual and personal areas without the regular input of a mentor.

​

We care about people and the world around us.
Titus 3:14  Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
We use our talents and resources to do what we can locally and globally to make lives better.  The church should not remain isolated from the concerns and problems of the larger society.

​

Worship is a way of life

Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
True worship is a way of life completely committed to, and oriented toward, following God.  Gathering for a service can facilitate worship, but biblical worship is a life committed to God.