Transformed people, transforming our world
Transformed people, transforming our world.
“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” With these words, Jesus clearly taught the purpose of the church and of individual believers. Salt and light are objects that invade and transform their environment. Christ transforms believers (making us a new creation), and then uses us to transform our world. We are world changers, changed by the love of Christ and changing our world with his love. Transformed by His love, transforming our world with His love.
We want to be believers who passionately live in Christ and live out Christ. As we live in relationship with Christ we are transformed by His truth and love. As we reach and live out the nature of Christ to others they are touched by His truth and love. To be salt and light to our world we, the church, must be a church without walls. That is, a church that is easily accessible to those seeking new life in Jesus, and one that urges believers to go outside the walls of the church to touch and transform people and culture within their sphere of influence.
When we gather we are in the locker room, worshiping and being trained to be more efficient on the playing field of life. As we live our lives we are the church scattered, being salt and light in our individual spheres of influence. What is clear from Jesus’ words is that his plan to redeem the world includes us! We can’t be passive. We are the program. The end result of this is transformed people, transforming our world.
We believe:
- In the eternally existing Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- In the Bible as the fully inspired Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and practice.
- In God the Father who concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of man.
- In Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son—in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, teachings, His atoning death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and promise of His return to earth.
- In the Holy Spirit and His present ministry of rebirth and renewal as well as the working of spiritual gifts.
- That all people are sinners and yet made in the image of God. Only repentance and faith in Christ can restore us into fellowship with God.
- In the Church world-wide, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
- In the Ordinance of Water Baptism and Communion.
- In the personal, visible return of Christ to earth and the consummation of His kingdom.
- In what is termed “The Apostles’ Creed” as embodying the fundamental facts of Christian faith. We endorse the historic orthodox creeds of the church.
We fulfill our purpose through these eight practices:
Worship
We desire worship that touches God’s heart in a style that is intimate, dynamic, and culturally current.
Word
We want to study, teach and obey the Bible.
Prayer
We are committed to the fact that we can be agents of change through prayer.
Fellowship
We seek to develop real friendships built on Christ’s love.
Ministry
We believe that all Christians are called to minister God’s mercy to the lost, the sick, and the poor.
Discipleship
We aim to disciple and be discipled in all aspects of responsible Christian life and ministry.
Outreach
We seek to prepare individuals and send out missionaries to reach the lost with the Good News of Christ.
Giving
We pursue a culture of sacrificial generosity based on God’s joyful, overwhelming, proactive giving to us.
Everyone has values. Values control the way we live. Our values influence the way we approach our purpose and practices. We embrace the values that Jesus emphasized as important in our approach to true spiritual life.
In our relationship with God we value:
The mercy of God • The truth of God • Intimacy with God • God’s rulership and spiritual leading in our lives • Brokenness (spiritual humility) • Spiritual passion (wholehearted commitment)
In our relationships with each other:
Integrity and authenticity • Faithfulness and reliability • Christianity as a lifestyle • Care and quality in ministry • Servant leadership • Christian unity • Non-controlling relationships • Generosity
In our relationship with the community:
Healing to the whole person • Friendship outreach • Bridge-building to other churches • Cultural awareness • Helping the poor • Community involvement