Values & Virtues
Each of our values is followed by a corresponding virtue the pursuit of the value will work in us.
Truth-Grace
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), God-breathed, and thereby true, infallible, profitable for teaching, instruction, correction (2 Timothy 3:16), and sanctifying into maturity (John 17:17) and stands alone as highest authority, the truth by which we evaluate all other claims of truth. Therefore we tether our lives, mission, and ministry to the unchanging truth of God. Any word from God, admonition, critique, teaching, method or wisdom will be tested by and submit to Scripture. When Scripture speaks, we listen. Where it does not, we have freedom. (Proverbs 30:6, Matthew 5:18, Revelation 22:18-19)“The Word became flesh… We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Likewise, the totality of our lives, in the footsteps and Spirit of Christ, are to be lived by and through the grace and truth of God, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
The Glory of God- Joy
The chief end of God is the display of his Glory through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:3). All that exists, from creation to cross to consummation and condemnation—including sin and suffering—exists to display the glory of God in giving grace to His children. (Colossians 1:16, Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Thess. 1:10, Romans 11:36, Romans 9:22-23). In pursuing God’s glory, God procures our highest, fullest joy because we exist for His glory (Isa. 43:6-7). Therefore, I center my life on the cross, the blazing center of God’s glory, and the terminus where every gift of grace leads (Romans 8:32).
The effect of a Cross-centered life is joy by the grace and mercy and blessings God has purchased for us through the cross. This is not a groundless joy that denies the reality of a fallen, cursed world, but a rock-solid joy that stands firm through sorrow and pain with faith in our loving Father who uses even hardship for His glory and our good and hope made evident on the cross (Philippians 4:4, Psalm 16:11, John 10:10, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 6:10, John 15:10-11).
Biblical Community- Authenticity
From the beginning God stated it’s not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18). We are created in the image of our Trinitarian God who exists in eternal community (Genesis 1:27). The most common metaphors for followers of Jesus Christ throughout Scripture are as a family or a body. To return to God is to enter into the family of God in biblical community, not merely hanging out, but loving, encouraging, and sharpening one another, using the gifts God has given us to serve and build up one another (Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Hebrews 10:19-25, Romans 12).
In Acts 2, thousands gather to hear Peter standing to preach proclamationally ending with a call to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. 3,000 become Christians, and they immediately scatter into smaller groups that met daily where they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching (historical Christianity), and to fellowship (celebrating with Christians), the breaking of bread (likely the Lord’s Supper), prayer and praising God, enjoying the favor of all the people (nonChristians and unchurched enjoyed the groups) and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (there was hospitality (the welcoming of strangers/nonChristians), and they were missional (seeking to reconcile the nonChristians to Jesus). It is through biblical community that authenticity is forged.
Continuous Worship- Love
All of life is a continuous outpouring of worship, giving our time, talent and treasure to something or someone. We become like that which we worship, and we were created to worship and become like Jesus alone (1 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29, 1 John 3:2). Therefore we live our lives as a response to the grace of God, not merely in songs and services, but in every aspect of our daily lives (1 Corinthians 10:31, Luke 12:34, Romans 12:1-2).
As we behold and become we do so in ever-increasing love of God and one another (1 John 4:7-21, Luke 10:27, 1 Corinthians 13).
Involvement- Humility
Each Christian is called to be actively involved by the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit. In their own spiritual growth and maturity (in worship, on mission, becoming more like Jesus in holiness daily) and in their church’s growth—vertically (in maturity, discipleship, and sound doctrine) and horizontally (in impact, outreach and number). We gather corporately to equip and encourage and send out and pour out in ministry on mission with Jesus. (Philippians 2:12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Christians should seek other Christians further down the road in maturity, spiritually or practically and learn from them, while seeking out Christians younger or weaker than them to encourage, instruct and pray for. This includes a commitment to learning from books, mentors and teachers who are faithful to Scripture. (Proverbs 27:17, 1 Corinthians 4:14-17, 11:1, Philippians 3:17, Deut. 11:18-19, Acts 2:42)
As we get involved in our own growth and in the growth of the church we do so out of humility (Philippians 2:1-13, James 4:6).