Relationship
10/16/2009
Authentic
The Bible teaches us to relate to each other in the church as one family where we experience deep, close, and compassionate relationships, in which we feel safe to be vulnerable (Rom. 12:15, John 17:22-23, Acts 2:46-47).
Culturally Inclusive
The Bible says that the worshipping community is to be a culturally diverse one (Rev. 5:9; Rev. 7:9; Eph. 2:19 -22). Because we are serious as we pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," (Mat 6:10) we commit to welcoming people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and welcoming the culturally specific contributions to benefit the entire church (Eph. 4:4-6).
Loving
Jesus Christ told us that the greatest commandment was to love God, and the second greatest was to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that all His other commands rested on these two foundational pillars (Mat. 22:36-38). Therefore, we seek to be known as a people that love one another--accepting and supporting individuals and families wherever they are emotionally, physically, and spiritually; and demonstrating to them the love of Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:15-16, Rom. 12:9-13).