We desire to share life with one another in a way that we become a living, breathing, and local expression of the global, historical body of Christ. This is expressed through sharing of life, mutual accountability, caring for and meeting the needs of each other, giving of our time, talents, and resources for the good of the community of faith as well as the local and global community.  (Acts 2:44-47)

As devoted followers of Jesus we believe his claims of being the Christ (Savior), adhere to his teachings, participate in his ongoing activity, and continue his works. We see ourselves as a community learning to live life with God in the way of Jesus. We represent a generous Christian orthodoxy, rooted in the Scriptures and consistent with the ancient creeds of the church. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

What we do flows naturally out of who we are. Through classes, mentoring, service, spiritual disciplines, submission to one another and to spiritual authorities, and faith in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, we seek to be conformed to the nature and image of Christ. Every believer should pursue holiness and moral purity according to Scripture and the teachings and example of Christ.  (1 Peter 1:15-16; Philippians 2:5)

A life of faith and a relationship with God occurs within a specific context and culture. We do not seek to isolate ourselves from the culture nor to impose a Western Christian sub-culture on others, but strive to engage the culture around us and work with the Spirit of God to redeem it. God is not restricted or limited from revealing himself and working only in places and through people we consider sacred.  (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

Christianity is to be a way of life that sends followers of Christ into the world to serve God and our neighbors, so that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Every person is intentionally created by a loving God with unique personalities, talents, gifts, and abilities that reveal something of the activity and reality of God. God uses people and circumstances – both good and bad – to shape us and instill in us longings and desires that direct us toward discovering and fulfilling our ultimate purpose in life – to know God and to receive and reflect His love.  (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Religion tends to establish systems, checklists, and spiritual formulas that, when followed exactly, will yield some intended result without fail. We accept that faith may be simplistic but the many complexities of life and the fallen state of creation and mankind make it difficult for people to live in absolute certainty. Systems fail. Checklists are incomplete and formulas tend to ignore the multitude of variables. We are simply responding day by day to all that we know and are discovering about God through Christ, with all that we know and are discovering about ourselves. We value each and every step, big or small, toward faith in Christ and conforming to the image of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Generosity involves much more than our finances. We believe that a person is never more like Jesus than when he or she loves, serves, and gives. As followers of Christ and as expressions of gratitude for God’s blessings upon us, we are to be generous in every way, including time, finances, possessions, experiences, abilities, wisdom, grace, forgiveness, and love. (2 Corinthians 9:11; 1 Timothy 6:17-18)