Ethos & Practices
ethos [ee-thos, noun]: the spirit of a people, as expressed in its culture, institutions, ways of thought, philosophy and religion.
Call:
Ministry and service are based on God’s call, not our initiative. The call by God to ministry and service is received and discerned through God’s Word and Spirit both individually and communally.
Communication:
Communication is vital to answering God’s call upon our lives as individuals and as a church. Healthy and effective communication is clear, direct, constructive and respectful. Communication that is triangulated, passive, abusive or anonymous will not be validated.
Collegiality:
We are one in Christ; we are the body of Christ. In our worship, ministry and leadership, we hold onto unity in our faith and practice even as we celebrate our diversity in preference, styles and gifts. We exist as one ministry and as one team.
Covenant:
Being bound together by God’s call upon our lives, honoring our need for healthy and effective communication and respecting our common unity, ours is a bond of covenant, not of contract. We are committed to encouraging, affirming and nurturing each other as we live into our destiny in Jesus Christ. Grace, excellence, accountability and forgiveness are the lifeblood of our relationship to and with each other.
PRACTICES:
Worship:
Cultivating a lifestyle of personal and corporate worship, including prayer and Sabbath.
Authentic Community:
Investing in experiences of true Christian community where people connect to God, care for one another and hold each other accountable in responding generously to the gift of abundant life that is ours in Jesus Christ.
Life-Long Learning:
Committing daily to following Jesus Christ in every aspect of life, to growing in spiritual maturity, and becoming like Jesus Christ in our character and practice.
Whole Life Stewardship:
Discovering one’s gifts, passions, abilities and resources and exercising them in ministry for the building up of the Church and for the healing, reconciliation and salvation of the world.
Reaching Out:
Engaging the world, the public square, in and where the Holy Spirit leads and being faithful in the witness of our words and deeds to the freedom, justice, peace and well-being that is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.