We are the recipients of amazing, radical grace and are invited to follow the most gracious person ever - our Savior, Jesus! But we also know that trying to live out God’s perfect gift of grace as a flawed person in a flawed world can make for messy lives and messy relationships! In Christ’s mercy and love, we have the enabling power and healing for our messiness in His abounding GRACE. This GRACE compels us to go forward as God’s family “in all sufficiency for every good work,” loving people into a relationship with God through Christ, passing on this GRACE to others with joy! 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10
G.R.A.C.E.
Gospel Identity
God’s saving work through Jesus Christ grants us a whole new identity, which leads us to a whole new way of thinking and living. We do what we do because of who we are. We value our identity as a new creation and the power we have to live transformed lives with purpose! Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Relational Community
Together, like parts of a body with Jesus as its head, we grow in the unity of our faith and to maturity in the fullness of Christ. We value this “togetherness” as we live in the grace of the gospel before a fallen world, loving God and loving others! John 1:12-13; 1 John 3:3; 1 Corinthians12:12-13; Matthew 28:18-20
Authority of Scripture
The Holy Bible contains God's true words used for teaching, reproof, correction, and training for Godly living to bring us to maturity. It is used for all matters of life. It reveals God's character and His relationship with man. It answers life's questions and gives encouragement. It defines sin and illuminates the truth of Christ’s purpose, life, and teaching. We value the wisdom and stability entrusted to us in God’s enduring Word. Matthew 4:4; Matthew 7:24-25; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16
Compassionate Care
Jesus served God and others! He served from a humble, loving, compassionate heart! As we experience God more intimately in relationship, we surrender more of ourselves, putting aside our selfish thoughts and ways and begin to see and serve others as Jesus did, from a humble, loving, compassionate heart! We value what Christ has done for us; therefore, we joyfully join Him in serving! Mark 12:29-31; Mark 10:43-45; John 12:26; Romans 6:15-23
Empowered Presence
The empowering presence of God is two-fold: us in Him and he in us! This can only happen through and by God's grace as we are made alive in Christ, being gifted with His Holy Spirit who comes to dwell in us at salvation. God’s presence gives us our identity, purpose, and power and intends for us to saturate the world with his presence as we make disciples. We value His two-fold presence that results in Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered, demonstrations of obedience and GRACE. John 14: 19b-20; John 15:5; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 5:22-23
