Presence

We embrace the wonder and mystery of the creator and all of His creation.  We seek to celebrate and enjoy the goodness of God’s presence all around us, experiencing His presence in corporate gatherings, and also in the rhythms of every day life through an intimate and personal relationship with Him.  We value both ancient and contemporary worship expressions, but believe that genuine worship comes from who we are, and that it’s not just something we do.  Our full life with Him now is preparation for our future eternity in His presence.  (Exodus 33:12-22; Psalm 61; Hebrews 9:24) 

Am I experiencing God in everyday life?

 

Truth

We believe that truth is revealed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  As authentic followers of Christ, we grow in divine truth that exits outside and apart from us.  Through Him, we come to know true reality.  We understand that the Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living.  We focus on the essential truths and practices made clear in Scripture, which Christians across the ages have held in common.  We go all-out to tell the timeless story of God’s amazing love in a language and manner that is engaging, relevant, and relatable to people in today’s culture.  As a community we endeavor to live with integrity to be real, honest, and genuine with God and one another.  (Palm 25:5, 51:6, 119:11; John 8:31,32, 14:6 2; Timothy 3:15-16)

Am I living with veracity?

 

Purpose

We recognize that God created people in His image and that each person is created by God for a purpose far beyond themselves.  God created each of us in a specific way to live out that purpose and He intends for us to live meaningful, significant, full lives. As our story intersects with God’s story our journey is one of purpose, joy, and fulfillment, but also there are times of genuine struggle and suffering as we receive and offer healing and hope.  We are called to be ourselves, in the reality of our frailty and brokenness, yet dwelling in the boundless love and purposeful intent of God.  In our community we make every effort to unleash the power and promise of each person.  (Psalm 138:8; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 2:13)

Am I living out my potential?

 

Courage

We want to live courageously.  We believe that living by faith or trusting God completely with all that we are is the best way to live.  We can live with confidence knowing that God loves us unconditionally and that He mercifully gives all that follow Him present assurance of a future reality.  Life with God is a wonderful adventure and we want to boldly share life to its fullest with others.  (Hebrews 11:1-3,6; Acts 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:1-8)

Am I living by fear or faith?

 

Virtue

For us, following the way of Jesus has a profound effect on how we are to live.  Virtue is about a state of being.  It’s about being spiritually formed into the nature of Christ and having the right inner being so that goodness, moral character, and right actions naturally flow from who we are.   As we continue to grow spiritually the Holy Sprit develops in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  We are intentional about investing in the spiritual formation of families, singles, children, and students. Enjoying the good life of full and increasing devotion to Christ is our quest.  (Galatians 5:22-25; Colossians 3:12-17; Philippians 4:8)

Am I being spiritually formed?

Creativity

The splendor and magnificence of God’s creativity calls us to creative innovation.  We emphasize cultural engagement through vocation and the arts.  As God’s artwork, created in His image, we are most like Him when we are creating.  Many people do not consider themselves creative, however, every human being has been given the most essential tool for creativity, and that’s the human imagination. When our hearts are joined with God our imaginations can be the birthplace of the dreams God has for us.  We believe that the church should be a center of innovation and artistic expression, becoming an environment where great artists and marketplace leaders can emerge in community to give their talents and gifts back to God. The beauty that calls human beings to aspire toward greater things should come from the church. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 98; Ephesians 2:10)

Am I imagining?

 

Movement

Mission is why the church exists. We believe that the church is a movement not an institution and that every follower of Christ is commissioned by God.  Whenever God decides to do something significant he raises up leadership. In light of this, we strategically develop emergent leaders for spiritual, social, and cultural renewal.  We realize the responsibility of God’s call to help others, care for His creation, bring about social justice, and share the good news of the full life Christ offers.  We believe that we influence our world for Christ when we extend His love through our own hands and feet in acts of service, generously giving away the truth, time, talent and treasure that God so graciously entrusted to us. This quality also produces momentum and keeps us moving forward as a community, anticipating and leaning into the exciting new things God is doing. (Matthew 4:18-20, Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-18, Acts 1:8)

Am I serving others?

 

Community

Community is God’s design for human relationships.  When we connect with others in a meaningful way we experience the rich life God intends. In our increasingly fragmented and lonely world, real and lasting life change will only occur in the unity and diversity of authentic relationships.  Biblical community is caring, encouraging, and healing; it is the essential core of the body of Christ.  People experience life to its fullest when they laugh and cry, communicate and forgive, and rest and work together; connected to God and one another in a dynamic family of faith. We believe that ministry is best accomplished in the context of community as we work together in teams. (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:7-17; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 6:2; James 5:16)

Am I living isolated or in relationship?

 

Excellence

Excellence honors God and inspires people. We endeavor to give God and others our best in all that we do and we refuse to settle for mediocrity.  We have passion for God, for each other, for our community, for life.  The energy, excitement, and buzz of God’s presence and power is in whatever we are doing.  (2 Samuel 24:22-24; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Am I giving my best?