These 12 UNIFYING PRACTICES represent a detailed declaration of our philosophy and response to the call of Jesus; a distillation of the core, basic functions of the Kingdom of God in this world. In a church culture filled with an endless array of proprietary, branded language; this is meant to represent a strictly Biblical, universal, and holistic framework around which any individual or group can build their discipleship in Jesus.
“Because we value ...”
Jesus Christ - we worship Him, build community in Him, and continue His mission.
We affirm that Jesus is the King. Before, and in all things, we value Him alone as the image of the invisible God. The way of Jesus is our way. We long to worship Him by imitating His life and ministry. Both our theology and practice are relentlessly Christological. Jesus is our model, mentor, hero, mediator, savior, judge, and ruler of everything. All of our values flow from what we understand about His character, concerns, and the practices of His ministry. In a world of relativity and plurality, Jesus is without peer or alternative. (Ac. 4:10-12, 2Cor. 5:14-21, Jn. 14:6, Col. 1:15, 1Tim. 2:5)
The Harvest - we activate & send each other into the world to live on-mission.
We affirm that Jesus is always at work in the world all around us, and he invites us to join Him as agents of His Kingdom. Jesus’ mission, and thereby our mission, is to seek and save those who are lost without Him, drawing people into relationship with the Father. We help every believer to serve as Jesus’ ambassador in his/her own circle of influence. In addition, we empower groups to organize and mobilize in innovative ways to reach specific neighborhoods, workplaces, social groups, communities, areas of need, etc. As we partner with Jesus in His work; the light of His values, behaviors, and power are reflected to the world through us. When we look like Jesus, many people will take notice and glorify God because of us; conversely, they will be repelled when we do not. It is not our goal to get non-Christians into church buildings, but to activate Christians for mission outside of them. (Jn. 3:19-21, Mt. 5:3-10,16, 9:35-38, Jn. 20:21, Phil. 2:1-11, Col. 4:5, 1Tim. 3:7)
Serving & Healing - we extend compassion & restoration to the poor & marginalized.
We affirm that active compassion was the primary social posture of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the culture that described Early Christians, and the desperately-needed paradigm for the Church in our own day. As we dedicate ourselves to aiding, befriending, and restoring those outside the margins of society and the Church; we re-present the Gospel of Jesus to those who need it most. As His redeemed people, we remember that we were once on the outside. We’re called to sacrifice our comforts to identify with those who feel excluded, unappreciated, judged, and unworthy. In addition, we affirm that Jesus’ miraculous power to transform lives is available to His followers today. In these ways, the truth of Jesus is advanced as a natural byproduct of love. (Isa. 58:10, Mt. 25:31-46, Jn. 14:12, Lk. 4:18-19, 10:30-37, Eph. 2:2:10, Ja. 1:27)
Our Testimony – we leverage our stories & circumstances to glorify God.
We affirm that God’s work in our own lives is meant to affect the people and situations around us. As we curate the stories of how God has rescued and redeemed us, as well as demonstrating His ability to overcome the world within us; we testify to Jesus’ power to save and transform. Most often, people who need Jesus must see and hear evidence of Him before being open to hearing theological truths about Him. We plant seeds of the Gospel wherever we go to create thirst in those whom God is drawing to Himself. When, in time, they ask about the reason for our hope, the door is open for us to share more. (Jn. 1:41, 4:28-30, 1Pet. 2:12, 3:15, Col. 4:5-6, Ti. 2:7-8, 1Tim. 1:13-16, Rev. 12:11)
The Gospel - we share the good news about Jesus as we have opportunity.
We affirm that the Gospel has the power to save every person in the world; and that each of us is responsible for communicating it with others. The way we share the Gospel will vary widely; according to our individual stories, abilities, and opportunities. We understand that every one of us is journeying through a broken and imperfect world; so we commit to be kind, gracious, and patient with others as they explore faith in Jesus. This often takes a lot of time. We welcome new people to explore God and community with us, without excluding them based upon areas of their lives that are not yet consistent with the way of Jesus. (Mt. 28:18-20, Jn. 3:16-17, Ac. 8:4, Rom. 1:16, 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9, Eph. 6:19, 1Tim. 4:2-6)
Salvation & Repentance – we turn away from sin, receiving God’s grace through Jesus.
We affirm that Jesus is both our Savior and our Lord. Our ultimate reconciliation with God has been paid for once-for-all by Jesus; however, we must continually surrender our sins to live into that reality. We understand that we will continue to wrestle with temptation throughout our earthly lives until the redemption of our bodies in heaven, and that we will need to turn-away from sin and seek forgiveness many times. We pledge to release sinful thoughts & attitudes, interests & behaviors, associations & relationships, or any other thing that hinders our relationship with God. (Jn. 5:24, Ac. 2:38, 3:19, Rom. 7:14-25, Eph. 2:8-9, Col. 3:5-10, Ti. 2:11-14, Heb. 9:24-28, 1Jn. 1:8-9, Ja. 4:7)
The Word & Prayer - we seek the Father for knowledge and intimacy
We affirm that spending alone time with God in the Word and prayer are foundational for every follower of Jesus. We invest time in personal Bible learning (reading, recorded messages, memorization, etc.) and prayer in all its forms (meditation, intercession, praise singing, fasting, journaling, etc.). Sacred moments with God can take place in a variety of environments; at home in solitude, on a walk amidst natural beauty, or on a park bench in a crowded city. It is said that spending time in the Word & prayer is like inhaling and exhaling the breath of God, taking-in His transforming truths and exhaling praises and requests; all of which magnifies His presence within us. Mk. 4:1-20, Mt. 6:1-34, 1Ti. 4:7, Jer. 29:13. Jn. 10:14-15, 14:6-7, 15:5. Heb. 8:11, Hos. 6:3)
Walking With the Spirit - we hear, obey & experience Him in daily life.
We affirm that God created each one of us as the object of his affection, and that His desire is to walk with us in love, abundance, and power in our daily lives. Perhaps the greatest gift that God has given us is the indwelling presence of His Spirit; which enables us to see the world as He does, overcome the trials we encounter, and live supernaturally. In all areas of life, we dedicate ourselves to deepening our understanding of the Holy Spirit; discerning the ways in which He speaks to us, yielding to His real-time promptings each day, and exercising the gifts by which He works through us. (Rom.12:1-8, Mk. 13:11, Jn. 7:37-39, 10:10, Ju. 1:18-19, Rom. 8:5, Phil.2:13)
Meeting Together - we gather regularly for teaching, fellowship & worship.
We affirm that believers are meant to gather in groups on a regular basis. The number of people involved in each group will vary, but God’s people throughout history have always been a gathered people; involved in an ever-growing network much larger than the sum of its parts. These settings provide inspirational opportunities for us to learn from other minds, be moved by other hearts, and called to action by other voices. Gatherings come in all shapes & sizes – conventional worship services, house churches, Bible studies, prayer & prophetic meetings, etc. – the form of worship isn’t nearly as important as the unified hearts of the worshippers. (Ac. 2:42-43, Heb.10:25, 1Cor. 11:23-26, 14:26)
Loving One Another - we encourage, admonish, and support each other.
We affirm that God has created each of us with the need to be known, loved, and strengthened in the context of trusted relationships where true discipleship can happen. American culture is relationally fragmented; characterized by shallow social connections, isolation, and loneliness. The Church is meant to be a network of life-on-life relationships where vulnerability, acceptance, and wellness are cultivated; exemplifying the power of love to a world in need of Godly models of caring. Involvement in churches and ministries is no more valuable than the relationships we develop along the way. Self-sacrificial love is our goal for relationships, as well as a measure of personal maturity. (Jn. 13:34-35, Ac. 2:44-47, Eph. 4:29-32, Col. 3:12-17, 1Th. 5:11, Heb. 10:24-25)
Each Member of the Body - we equip each other for ministry in the Church and the world.
We affirm that every follower of Jesus is imbued with destiny and giftedness to manifest part of God’s design; so we help each other to discover, activate, and function in our unique roles. We understand that ordinary people are the Church and the practitioners of ministry; and that the purpose of leadership is to help them carry it out. We affirm the use of all Biblical gifts of the Spirit, according to the faith and effectiveness given to those who wield them. Although the Church is meant to be united in heart and purpose, it is comprised of countless affinities and endless variety. Therefore, we champion creativity and diversity, rather than standardization and uniformity; encouraging people to express themselves in new and innovative ways. (Eph. 4:1-16, Rom. 12:3-13, 1Cor. 12, 1Pet. 4:10)
Sacrifice & Submission - we die to ourselves for Jesus and the Gospel.
We affirm that the world, and everything in it, belongs to God; and that we are only stewards of what He has temporarily entrusted each of us with. Therefore, we voluntarily surrender our aspirations, affections, and agendas to His Kingdom; rather than defining our lives by the symbols of our own. We pledge ourselves to be open-handed with our time, abilities, and resources; freely giving ourselves away for Jesus’ mission. As we do this, we are also blessed by resisting the materialism and greed that tempt us toward indulgence and hoarding. We also practice submission to one another and to those in authority over us; renouncing pride and self-interest by embracing humility, holiness, and even suffering for the sake of Christ. (Mt. 6:25-33, Mk. 8:34-36, 10:28-31, Phil. 2:3-8, 1Cor. 16:1-2, Heb. 13:17, 1Pet. 2:13-17, 4:12-19, Ja. 2:15-17)