Core Values

There are nine values that shape our church:

• Bible
• Grace
• Freedom of Form
• Relationships
• Every-Member Ministry
• Elder-Led
• Unity in Our Differences
• Neighborhood-Focused
• Country-Focused Missions

Bible

Because we accept the Bible as God’s words — true and accurate:

• We accept the authority of the Bible to guide and govery our lives and ministry.
• Teaching, studying, and applying the Bible is a high priority.

Grace

Because God forgives us, saves us, and accepts us by His grace (not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us):

• We warmly welcome anyone searching for God’s forgiveness — just as they are.
• We can be authentic about our own failures, disappointments, doubts, and brokennes.
• We extend grace and patience to each other, knowing that we all are in-process.
• We worship and serve out of gratitude instead of fear.

Freedom of Form

Because the Bible allows for culturally-diverse expressions of worship and ministry:

• We create expressions of worship and ministry contemporary to our own culture and time.
• We encourage creativity and the use of contemporary technology in worship and ministry.

Relationships

Because Jesus’s ministry on earth was incarnational:

• We try to model for others a vital, intimate, personal relationship with God.
• We pursue evangelism, discipleship, and service in the context of caring relationships.
• We promote transparency, authenticity, and accountability in the context of small groups.

Every-Member Ministry

Because the work of ministry is the responsibility of every believer:

• We desire to have every member support this ministry with their resources (time, treasure, and talents).
• We encourage every member to take personal responsibility to carry out and enhance the church’s ministry.
• We encourage everyone discover, develop, and use their God-given abilities to serve.
• We train people to do ministry.

Elder-Led

Because the Bible models a plural church leadership:

• We are led by a group of elders who are men qualified by biblical standards, selected by other elders, commended by the church, and who lead as shepherds and servants.

Unity in Our Differences

Because we are one in Christ, though diverse in backgrounds, characteristics, and priorities:

• We promote mutual respect, loving unity, flexibility, and teamwork in our ministry.
• We celebrate our differences (culture, gender, class, age) as valuable and complementary.
• We recognize personal freedom in non-essential beliefs (politics, education, parenting, etc.).

Neighborhood-Focused

Because we are located in this specific North Dallas neighborhood:

• We have the potential to minister to this neighborhood better than any other church.
• We will focus on ministry opportunities within three miles of the church — an area bounded roughly by LBJ (south), Central Expressway (east), George Bush (north), and North Dallas Tollway (west). (This does not mean that we all live in this neighborhood or minister exclusively in it.)

Country-Focused Missions

Because we desire to practice relational ministry and make a significant impact overseas:

• We will focus our mission efforts predominantly on one country, supporting career missionaries, short-term trips, national workers, and projects in the same region (with due regard for our current commitments and the support of "home-grown" missionaries).
• Our mission is focused on Serbia because of our pastor’s unique connection to that country.