Core Values/CorePractices
Core Values
Five core values lie at the center of what we believe, who we are, and what we do. We believe these values are essential for genuine, from the heart, life-change. Embracing these values, we move from “lip service” religion to “life-style” faith:
Worship
(Ephesians 5:18-20; Matthew 4:10; John 4:24)
True worship begins when a person places their faith in the person of Jesus Christ, believing in His death and resurrection as sufficient payment for their sin. True worship continues as a lifestyle of responding to God’s revelation of Himself with mind and heart in ways that declare the greatness of who He is.
Community
(Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Genuine biblical community means living in caring relationships that are guided by biblical truth and grounded in spiritual accountability. We value real community, and yes, we know how messy and hard it is. But we also know that real and lasting life change – spiritual transformation – only occurs in the unity and diversity of authentic relationships.
Growth
(Ephesians 4:14-16; Philippians 3:14; Colossians 1:28)
Spiritual growth means that over time we are becoming, looking, and acting more and more like Jesus Christ. It is progressively moving toward spiritual maturity.A commitment to growth is not easy, because growth means change, and change is difficult. However, growth means we are living, really living, as the life of Christ is reproduced in our own lives.
Service
(Ephesians 4:11-13; Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 4:10-11)
Jesus demonstrated that the most influential life is a life of sacrificial service. In the words of Mark’s gospel, Jesus “did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” Likewise, we believe that we will influence the world for Christ, when resting in, and motivated by His great love for us, we extend that love through our own hands and feet in acts of service to others.
Generosity
(John 3:16; Proverbs 11:25; Matthew 10:8b)
Every act of God is an act of lavish generosity. He gives freely, fully, graciously and without measure. He is a giver, not a taker. Generosity means living life with our hands open, generously giving away the truth, time, talent, and treasure that God has so graciously entrusted to us.
Personal Values
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
Personal Values are qualities that distinguish followers of Jesus Christ in Fellowship Bible Church. Psalm 1:3 says that a person who is maturing in the faith and giving their life away, “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Like a “tree firmly planted by streams of water”, maturing in the faith means being…
1. Obedient to God the Father
“…committed to obeying and fulfilling the will of God the Father” (Matthew 26:36-46; Philippians 2:1-18).
2. Committed to Jesus Christ
“…committed to following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ” (Matthew 16:24; John 15).
3. Submitted to the Holy Spirit
“…committed to abiding and submitting to the leadership of the Holy Spirit” (John 16:5-15; Romans 8:1-25; Galatians 5; 1 John 2:18-27).
4. Grounded in God’s Word
“…committed to understanding and knowing God’s Word and allowing my life to be governed by these truths” (Acts 17:1-9; 2 Timothy 3:16).
Like a “tree yielding fruit in its season”, giving our lives away means being…
1. Family Devoted
“…Deliberately devoting my life to the vital relationships of marriage and family” (Romans 12:3-21; Ephesians 5:22-6:9; Colossians 3:18-25; Hebrews 10:23-25).
2. Body-Life Connected
“…Intentionally making room for relationships within the biblical community” (Acts 2; Hebrews 10:19-25).
3. Uniquely Self-Aware
“…Pursuing awareness of my unique God-given design in gender, personality, spiritual gifting, abilities, passions and life experiences for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 2:10; 5:22-6:9; Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
4. Outrageously Generous
“…Making choices with my talents, time and treasures which are consistent with the outrageously generous and gracious heart of God” (Matthew 6:16-24; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15).
5. Culturally Responsible
“…Seeking to live out the message of hope and salvation in my culture in a way that reflects personal purity and moral excellence” (Ephesians 4:17-5:21;
1 Peter 1:14-16).
6. Missionally Bold
“…Building relationships and reaching out to people in my spheres of influence with words and actions of hope and salvation” (Matthew 5:16; 28:19-20;
John 3:1-4:42; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:11-15).
7. Kingdom Minded
“…Intentionally pursuing opportunities to support and unify “the church” in my neighborhood, city and world” (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 12).