We envision a place where the gospel is central.

The Good News that Christ has opened the way into God’s presence by substituting himself for me before the judgment seat of God, and now offers me the riches of his righteousness by faith is the greatest message in the history of mankind.  This message is not merely about getting a “ticket to heaven” punched, but is, in fact, something I need every single day of my life.  

 

We envision a people who love Scripture as if it were their essential food

I believe that the primary venue in which the Lord is carrying out his mission today is the church.     That mission is to glorify the Father by proclaiming the gospel, converting individuals from every tribe, tongue and nation, and sanctifying them through the Body of Christ (Colossians 1:21, Revelation 5:9).  

Furthermore, I believe the primary tool that the Lord has given the church to accomplish its mission is that of systematic exegetical preaching that exalts the greatness of God and the supremacy of Christ (Col. 1:28).    The goal of this kind of preaching is that people will know God, love God, and finally obey God (in that order). 

 

We envision corporate gatherings full of joyful, heart-felt, adoring worship

I believe worship is a response to truth.  At its core, sin is telling God “you’re wrong,” “I don’t believe you,” and “you won’t be in charge of me.”    Thus, worship is God enabling me to say “you are right!” and “Here’s my life.”     Thus we worship in everything we do (1 Cor. 10:31).  As a tool for worship when we gather, we value the gift of music, particularly congregational singing, as a means by which we proclaim truth to one another, and then respond to God (Col. 3:16).   We believe that music in the church should be truthful, sing-able, and beautiful (Psalm 95:6, John 4:21, 24). 

 

We envision a body where every Christian is a disciple-maker

When the Lord gave this mission to his followers in Matthew 28:19-20, it was encapsulated in the phrase “make disciples.”  I like Jim Putman’s definition of a disciple based on Jesus’ calling of the first few in Mark 1:17…. “A disciple is one who knows Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus.”     Because that definition encapsulates genuine conversion, sanctification, and evangelism, I believe one could accurately say that the church exists to glorify God by making disciples.