We value...Christ-centered Community.
(Heb. 10:24,25; Acts 2:42; John 1:37)
Christ-centered Community is twofold. First, it’s Christians partnering together to support the church’s kingdom expansion efforts in theGospel (Acts 2:42, 2 Cor 8:4). Second, it’s the social and spiritual fabric of the body of Christ in fellowship with each other under the headship of Christ (Heb. 10:24,25; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:15). Believers living in community illustrate the very nature of God Himself (John 13:35; Eph 5:1-2; 1 John 1:5-10). We seek to be a community who establish Jesus as Lord (Col. 2:6) relate to each other through love (John 13:35), manifesting God’s character (Gal. 5:22-3).
Cohesion in community comes from our vitality in the Holy Spirit, shared biblical beliefs, values, purpose and obedience to the truth (Phil. 2:1-5; 2 John 1:6). Individual healing and the completion of Christ-likeness in our character is only possible in community (Eph. 4-11-13; Heb. 11:40). We welcome people who agree on the essentials of Christian faith and accept other Christians who differ in the nonessentials (1 Tim. 4:16; Titus 3:9).
Community starts in family. The relationships of husband and wife in marriage (Eph. 5:21-25) and parent and child in family are to reflect the relationships of Christ and the church and God the Father and His children (Eph. 6:1-4).
We encourage participation in small groups as a way to live in community as the people of God. Spiritual gifts serve to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12; 1 Cor. 12:27-31) so that we walk with each other in love, forgiveness (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13) and truth (Eph. 4:15). As a community, we appreciate diversity in people, gifts and connections between people of all ages. We want to model the humility of Christ in prizing the least, including the disabled (1 Cor. 12:23-26). Community is strengthened by the reality of Christ’s love flooding the hearts of believers (1 John 4:7-12, 19 – 21). In the overflow of love, Christ becomes attractive to nonbelievers (John 17:23).