Live Generously
We are already blessed by a generous God. Living generously involves every area of our lives – our time, talent, and resources. However, Jesus teaches that generosity begins with our finances, because “where your treasure is your heart will be, also.” We all start by giving a gift: make a financial donation when the time is right. We seek to become givers: giving becomes part of our identity when we make regular contributions to his church with the first 10% that God gives us. We desire to become generous: make radical financial investments to further God’s kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Matthew 6:21
Front Row People
We understand that zeal and passion are not simply a matter of personality, but they are Kingdom virtues. While it would always be easiest to become cynical and prideful, we choose to be passionate and engaged people who are eager to follow where God leads. Whether we are gathered in community or sent to be the Church, these attributes define us. We praise God for the good, welcome purposeful change, and bring others along in
this process. Even in the back of the room we serve as thermostats in the world of thermometers.
Romans 12:11; Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 34:1
Called
Our lives have purpose and meaning because of what God has done for us and is doing in the world. We are called into relationship with Christ, claiming the identity God has for us through salvation by faith and growing daily in our relationship with him. We are called into purpose, not obsessing about the part we’re called to play, but delighting in being part of the bigger thing that God is doing in the world. We are called into passion, knowing that as the spirit works in our lives, that’s where true life is found. As called people we seek to champion the calling of others, helping them find Christ and his purpose and passion for their lives, as well.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Ecclesiastes 3:11; 1 Peter 4:10
Grounded in Scripture, Obedient to the Spirit
We have the opportunity to hear from God constantly through his Word and by obeying his Spirit. We begin by reflecting on scripture daily, seeking to move through scripture systematically to the point where we will embed the Bible in every facet of our lives, allowing the word of God to guide us. We believe God’s word enables us to be more aware of and responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit. When we sense the prompting of the Spirit we will respond, because we know that understanding can wait, but obedience cannot.
2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; Joshua 1:8
Ripple > Splash
We live out our great commission to be disciple-makers in partnership with our local church, but not dependent upon it. We use our influence to lead people into the kingdom through deliberate prayer, intentional conversations, strategic invites, and helping people not just attend, but engage in the community of faith. Christ came to serve others and we step into that, as well, knowing there is no greater joy than seeing someone grow in faith. Just as we celebrate baptism, we celebrate the investments made by the person baptizing. We believe that God is working all around us, so we will not wait for an opportunity – we seek them out.
Mark 10:45; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20
We Own Our Part
We acknowledge that we are both the potential problem and the future solution. We are imperfect people seeking for God to transform us every day. We seek to grow in spiritual maturity by spending less of our efforts noticing what is wrong with the world and instead, look for the problems within our own hearts. Therefore, we are confessional people knowing that God continues
to move not when we sit and acknowledge the problems surrounding us, but when we actively seek to become more like God daily. We will not let our problems define us. We will move forward by grace.
Romans 12:2; Matthew 7:3-5
