So What?!
If you have read this far, you know why we exist, what we value, and how we live those values out through the priority of our essential ministries.So where does this take us? What does this produce? If we distilled everything down to the bare essence, we find two words that capture what we are all about … L i f e C h a n g e & I n f l u e n c e
The life-change we are talking about begins on the inside and works its way out. It is only accomplished by the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the context of community, over the course of time. In Colossians 1:28, Paul describes it as presenting every person complete or "mature" in Christ. As we are changed from within, we begin to influence others out of our character, and from our hearts. Our changed lives begin to change the world around us to the glory of God. Becoming all that God wants us to become, we will progressively grow in a lifestyle that is... Passionately committed to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:21; 3:10) Our lives should reflect a passion toward a person, not a religion, not a code of ethics or system of beliefs. Grace teaches us that our love for Jesus Christ is a response to His passionate love toward us.
Biblically measured and grounded (Psalm 119) Because we believe that God’s Word is inspired, we will seek to increasingly know it, apply it, experience and embrace it as authoritative and trustworthy for life and living.
Spiritually responsive and empowered (Ephesians 5:15-21) We will rest in the reality that life-change is a work of the Holy Spirit whereby God progressively transforms our character into the image of Jesus Christ. By the strength of the Spirit, we will take steps of faith in a walk of obedience.
Personally pure and morally excellent (1 Peter 1:14-16) We will embrace the call to holiness as not simply avoiding wrong, but actively seeking right, and living in the fullness of life as God intends.
Evangelistically bold (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) People matter most, so we will intentionally engage and build relationships with people who have not experienced the undeserved favor and love of Jesus Christ.
Socially responsible (James 1:27) With open hands, we will intentionally seek to engage the culture with truth and grace and meet the needs of those less fortunate with the resources we have been given.
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