Core Values -

• Experiencing, celebrating and proclaiming the love of God through Jesus Christ is the core of all we do!
• Christian worship is intended to be vital, inspiring, alive and real (i.e. honest).
• The church is a diverse living organism which helps people grow in faith, mature in discipleship, and respond in service.
• Our faith in God's love through Jesus Christ compels us to make a difference in the world.

Norms [and Goals] -

1. We are committed to providing vital worship experiences in which persons encounter the spirit of God and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Worship is ALWAYS intended to be focused on God, and at the same time elicit participation from the gathered congregation.  [Goals: Informal and acappella  style of worship.  100% of leaders attend worship weekly.   Music will be God-directed and will be indigenous to the target community.   60 in attendance at first public worship.  1,000 in worship within five years.]
2. We believe that the process of becoming a disciple of Jesus involves: baptism,   prayer, ongoing learning about the Christian life, regular worship,  and participation in activities which utilize one's spiritual gifts for ministry. [Goals:   Practice adult baptism by immersion (while accepting other forms as valid).   Leadership participates in daily prayer, weekly Bible Study & worship, and ongoing spiritual formation.  Provide opportunities for newcomers to learn about the basics of the Christian faith (i.e. newcomer's class, Bible Study 101, Prayer 102, etc.).  Provide Leadership training opportunities for more mature Christians.  Utilize spiritual gifts inventories as an integral part of spiritual formation and leadership training.]
3. We believe that Small groups for learning and fellowship provide Christians with the best opportunity for spiritual growth, and hold Christians accountable for putting their faith into action.  [Goals:  100% of leadership involved in small groups.   Provide training, support and accountability system for leaders of small groups.   Small groups are intended to multiply themselves at least once every 10 to 18 months.  Provide a diversity of opportunities for persons to participate in small groups (i.e. Bible study. sports teams, parenting classes, etc.).  Prayer and Bible study are an integral part of EVERY small group.]
4. We value the Bible as the inspired Word of God from which Christians learn about God's truths and through which Christians experience God's love in Jesus Christ. [Goals: Provide a variety of Bible Study opportunities for differing levels of spiritual maturity.   100% of leadership involved in ongoing weekly Bible Study.  Sermons utilize biblical themes applied to daily living.]
5. We believe that outreach and service projects are an important means for helping people develop a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ, as well as providing for physical, spiritual, social, and psychological needs. [Goals: Utilize Spiritual Gifts inventories for people to discover their unique calling to ministry.  Provide a variety of opportunities for people to be involved in hands on ministry.  100% of leadership involved in at least one service or mission project per year.]
6. We believe the body of Christ is a diverse and beautiful collection of people.   We welcome people of diverse age, race, cultural backgrounds. [Goals:  Provide spiritual growth opportunities (including worship) in a variety of language and cultural settings.  Welcome all people in the name of Christ.   Provide small group opportunities to meet a variety of cultural needs.   Support outreach and service opportunities in a variety of cultural settings -- including ministries beyond U.S. borders.  Start new congregations within a variety of racial & cultural settings.  This congregation is an "open and affirming" congregation of the LIFE IN CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH.]
7. We are committed to insuring that ministry and mission will ALWAYS take priority over purchase of land and building of facilities.  [Goals:  Rent facilities as long as possible.  Fiscal priority will be to the areas of mission and ministry.]
8. We believe in the importance of stewardship of time, talents, treasures, and the earth's resources as a sign of a mature Christian faith.  [Goals:  100% of leadership are tithers.   Encourage and support ministries which promote stewardship of God's creation.]
9. We believe that evangelism is the role of every Christian.  [Goals: small group ministries will provide the front line of evangelistic efforts.  Provide outreach projects and "fishing pools" with the intent of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.]
10. We believe that healthy, mature congregations start new churches in their desire to share the gospel. Studies have shown that the most effective tool for evangelizing our culture is to start new congregations.  [Goals:  To start 8 new congregations in 2009.]