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Church Culture

God is at the center
  • Focus on honoring God.
  • Have a passionate devotion to God.
  • Jesus is clearly the Way, Truth and Life of the congregation.
  • Unity is founded in love for one another, not in doctrine.
  • The Holy Spirit is welcome and sought after for teaching, leading, direction.
Prayer
  • Prayer is something seen both in and out of the worship service.
  • Prayer meetings are a part of the culture.
  • Praying for one another is commonplace.
  • Confession of sin is welcome.
  • Everything is accompanied by prayer, as we prepare for every role of service.
  • Lay hands on people, accompanied by prayer.
Musical Worship
  • Genuine worship and praise of God.
  • Lyrics are faithful to what Scripture teaches.
  • Worship team eliminates distractions to put the focus on God, not drawing attention to themselves or viewing musical worship as a performance.
  • God the Father and Jesus Christ are the focus of worship.
  • Worship is focused on remembering, worshipping, and praising God.
  • Worship is a time of intimacy with God.
  • Freedom in choosing songs and in expressions of worship as long as not creating a distraction for other worshippers.
  • Worship with a variety of instruments, song types, emotions, and expressions as found in Scripture.
Teaching
  • Sermons spring forth from the Bible, as opposed to using the Bible to support points of a speech.
  • The Bible is viewed as the Word of God, and what He wants to share with us. It is our job to give understanding to what He already taught.
  • Teachers pray for sermon topics, relying on the revelation and leading of the Holy Spirit.
  • God’s word is faithfully taught without compromise, regardless of what society teaches is acceptable.
  • Teaching is not used for personal agendas, or for controlling others, but for speaking the truth of God’s Word in love.
  • The Word of God is the standard and source for all teaching. We teach what it says. We don’t teach what it doesn’t say.
  • The emphasis is on teaching about God, the Bible, and the truth – not disparaging others or other organizations.
  • Doctrine is based on the use of direct verses and not indirect, except as they support direct verses.
Pastors/Leadership
  • Leaders are there to serve those God brings to the congregation (2 Corinthians 1:24).
  • Leaders are not there to control the congregation, but to encourage them in their relationship with God, to stir up love and good works, to teach the word of God faithfully and without compromise, and to speak the truth in love to build up the body.
  • Leaders realize they are a small part of the bigger overall body.
  • Leaders are interested in directing people to God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and to the Bible, not to themselves.
  • Pastors care about both adults and children who attend, bringing the love of God and the joy of the Holy Spirit to everyone with consideration and encouragement.
  • Leaders focus on honoring and pleasing God, without compromising to please people.
  • Leaders love people because God loves them.
  • Pastors offer service freely out of love for others, and are not offended when their offering of service is rejected or refused (John 6).
  • Pastors are open/willing to be challenged if the Bible is the basis for feedback.
  • Pastors are patient in encouraging repentance, giving time for people to learn, to consider, and make changes, as long as they are not causing divisions or issues in the congregation.
  • Pastors should wear their authority lightly, turning the congregation to the authority of Jesus and the Bible, and reserving use for authority to keep peace and stop division.
  • Pastors lead by example, not in word only.
  • Pastors focus on listening to others and ask people to defend doctrinal positions using direct Bible verses.
  • 2 Timothy 2:21-26
Social/Fellowship
  • Warmly welcome all new visitors and assume the role of host to them.
  • Be hospitable to others, both at church and in homes.
  • Caring for people is more important than caring about what they believe.
  • Fellowship before and after the worship service, a caring family environment.
  • No one is left out of fellowship – look for the outcast and downtrodden.
  • Congregation is kind, and shows a genuine interest, care, and love for others.
  • Congregants are not looking to leave right after the worship service, but want to continue in fellowship and spend time together.
  • Engage in serving one another, as opposed to being contentious over doctrine.
  • Families are encouraged to build friendships, and spend time together outside of church.
  • Willing to give our time to one another.
Community/Outreach
  • Look to stir up love and good works.
  • Engage in serving the community.
  • Partner with service organizations (e.g. homeless ministries, food pantries, local pregnancy center, freed slaves homes).
  • Congregants are encouraged to take the lead in managing service projects in which the whole congregation can participate.
  • Congregants should not look to the pastors to develop every service opportunity.
  • Pastors support those who initiate service opportunities, as opposed to trying to take control.
General
  • The ways of God are promoted. Sin as a way of life is rejected.
  • Meet on the basis of wanting to worship God, to hear His Word, and to serve one another.
  • Studying the Bible and praying together are encouraged.
  • All are welcome to attend as long as they come in peace. No litmus test.
  • We view ourselves as a part of the Christian church at large.
  • We don’t believe people need to attend our church to be saved or to be a Christian.
  • Safe environment for a sinner to come and receive mercy and forgiveness.
  • Those who receive of God’s forgiveness are encouraged to repent and make Jesus the Lord of their life.
  • We encourage the practice of Matthew 18, of going to a brother to be reconciled, rather than gossiping.
  • Safe environment to learn the truth.
  • Sinners are loved, while sin is hated.
  • Focus on the growth of people as opposed to the growth of attendance or donations.
  • Look for ways to incorporate all ages into the service.
  • Discourage discussions about pet doctrines or tangential issues that lead to strife, rather than edification.