STATEMENT OF VALUES
WE VALUE CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS
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We exist for Jesus Christ. In every person and program, Jesus Christ is first; he is experienced and he is to be honored. We constantly have Jesus on our mind and in our conversation. Public gathering to worship is a primary expression and personal Godly living is equally important. (John 1:1-14, 14:1-16; 2 John 9 and 1 Timothy 2:5)
WE VALUE EXPOSITORY PREACHING
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word, the authoritative and trustworthy rule of faith and practice for Christians. The Bible is both timeless and timely, relevant to the common needs of all people at all times and to the specific problems of existential or contemporary living. Therefore, we are committed to equipping Christians through the expository preaching and teaching of the Word. (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Romans 1:16-17)
WE VALUE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
We believe ministry does not take place in a vacuum, but within a socio-economic matrix. Therefore, we believe the church’s purpose is to expose and/or empower the community to the life changing power of God’s grace and love. (Luke 4:18-19)
WE VALUE UNCHURCHED PEOPLE
We believe unchurched people (those who have stopped attending or have never attended a church) are valuable to God and, therefore, should be equally valuable to us. We spend time and energy on that which we value; therefore, we should spend time and energy pursuing lost people as Christ did when He was on the earth. Therefore, we desire to create a non-threatening environment in which they are free to explore the Christian faith at their own pace. (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 7:34, 15:1-32; John 3:16 and Matthew 28:15-20)
WE VALUE EXCELLENCE
We believe God deserves the best we have to offer. Excellence honors God and inspires people. This includes the concepts of evaluation, critical review, intensity and excellence (Colossians 3:17); Malachi 1:6-14; and Proverbs 27:17). Therefore, in the ministries and activities of Light of the World church, we will seek to maintain a high standard of excellence to the glory of God. This will be achieved when every person is exercising his or her own God-given spiritual gifts to the best of his or her ability (1 Corinthians 12).
WE VALUE PRAYER
We believe God desires God’s people to pray and that God hears and answers prayer. Therefore, the ministries and activities of this church will be characterized by a reliance on prayer in their conception, planning and execution. (Matthew 7:7-11 and James 5:13-18)
WE VALUE DISCIPLE-MAKING
Christians are disciples – believers who are learning and changing to be more like Jesus Christ. Disciple-making happens when our members live in a Christian manner, especially under stress, and in demonstrating Christian love in relationships with others. Our church is a university for disciple-making – offering courses, networking relationships, providing community, and offering a context for continuous disciple-making opportunities at other churches or through outside organizations. (Ephesians 4:11-16 and Matthew 28:18-19)
CONCLUSION
Sharing the values is more than articulating the values. Yes, every member should be able to say them, but that’s not enough. As every member commits to our values, we will pray, work, give and do whatever needs to be done in order to turn the values we believe into experiences we share. Therefore, we call people to Jesus Christ and the values rather than enrolling members, recruiting teachers or raising money. Those who share the values will want to become a part of our team. Those who want to make more disciples will be glad to serve. And money will follow the values. Frankly, most of us would rather join a movement than a membership list, work for a cause rather than sigh up for a job, and give to a vision rather than a budget.