And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(Acts 2:42)
There are different ways to talk about what makes one church different from another. Our Confession of Faith goes into great detail about what we believe, and we invite you to read about our Beliefs and our church Vision as well. Here, we'll look at Four Core Values and a few other distinctives. These values describe specific aspects of our church life that we treasure together.
1. A life built on the foundation of DOCTRINE
By doctrine, we simply mean "what the Bible teaches." We often ask, "What does the Bible say about that?" God’s inspired Word is authoritative, sufficient, and perfect—and is the guide and foundation for everything we believe, think, and do. It is for all people in all generations, and it is to be the final authority in all matters of belief and practice in the church and in the life of the Christian.
2. A life filled with the HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit fills God's people with all the fullness of God. On a personal level he causes us to be born again, transforms us into the image of Christ, empowers us with gifts and fruitfulness, and brings experiences with God like we see in the New Testament. And when we gather, the Spirit inspires joyful worship, empowers us with gifts for ministry, and grants an even greater sense of the presence of God. This life in the Spirit is not just a conviction we hold but a lifestyle we pursue.
3. A life of purposeful RELATIONSHIPS
We are a church family devoted to one another as members of the household of God. Strong relationships in the church are a powerful engine for spiritual growth and also serve to demonstrate the power of the gospel to those outside the church. The Christian life is a shared life—a fellowship or partnership—and not simply an individual pursuit.
4. A lifelong pursuit of SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Spiritual growth is the result of being rooted in doctrine, empowered by the Spirit, and committed to relationships. It’s not a destination but a direction. It means growing in our love for God, for one another, and for our neighbors—next door and across the globe. We desire to see all people grow, whether they have yet to become Christians, are new in their faith, or seasoned saints. Spiritual growth doesn’t stop with us but results in a vibrant church ministering in the community, freely sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and seeking to plant churches throughout the world as part of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)