These are the things we never want to say:
- Let’s just have church and go home.
- We’re better than you.
- Don’t ask questions.
- Bigger is better.
- Christians don’t have problems.
These are the things we do want to say and let guide everything we do:
We before Me – because I may be good, but we are better.
- So we’ll work together with other believers (Philippians 1:3-6)
- So we’ll do our learning in small groups, not alone (Acts 2:46-47)
- So we’ll resolve conflict biblically (Matthew 18:15-17)
- So we’ll practice hospitality (1 Peter 4:9)
Christ before Christianity – because following a person is different from fitting into an institution.
- So we’ll make disciples, not just Christians (Matthew 28:19)
- So we’ll remember everything flows from our relationship with Christ (John 15:4)
- So we’ll make faith about our whole life, not just about an hour on Sunday (Romans 12:1)
- So we’ll try not to do anything without Christ. (John 15:5)
Giving before Getting – because God came as a servant, not a consumer.
- So we’ll fund ministry, rather than fundraise (2 Cor. 9:6-8)
- So well discover and develop our ability (gifts) to serve others (1 Corinthians 12:7) [NLT]
- So we’ll help everyone to be a minister, irrespective of gender (1 Peter 2:4-6)
Relationships before Religion – because relationships change people, rules don’t.
- So we’ll accept people as they are, and love them while they get to know Jesus better.
- So we’ll unite over the essentials and have liberty over the non-essentials (Romans 14:1) [The Message]
- So we’ll stop pretending to be perfect and encourage authenticity (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) [The Message]
Clear before Complex – because we want the church to thrive after we’re gone.
- So we’ll keep the structure simple, sustainable and sustaining.
- So we’ll allow maximum resources to be used for creating community, making disciples and mission in the world.
We want people to experience these values whenever and wherever they meet a member of our church community.
