The following statement of principles clarifies the attitudes and approaches which will be encouraged in the ministries of Grace Gathering. Most of these are not biblical absolutes, but represent our understanding of how to most effectively accomplish our purpose.
Christ's Headship
We acknowledge Christ as the head of our church and submit ourselves and all our activities to His will and good pleasure (Eph 1:22-23)
Commitment to Relevant Bible Exposition
We strive to teach God's Word with integrity and authority so that believers mature in Him (2 Tim 3:16). We recognize the Bible as God's inspired Word, the authoritative and trustworthy rule of faith and practice for Christians. The Bible is both timeless and timely, relevant to the common needs of all people at all times and to the specific problems of contemporary living. Therefore, we are committed to equipping Christians, through the preaching and teaching of God's Word, to follow Christ in every sphere of life.
Authentic Worship
We desire to acknowledge God's supreme value and worth in our personal lives and in the corporate, contemporary and traditional worship of our church.
A Commitment to Prayer
We believe that God desires his people to pray and that he hears and answers prayer (Matthew 7:7-11; James 5:13-18. Therefore, the ministries and activities of this church will be characterized by a reliance on prayer in their conception, planning, and execution.
Sense of Community
We encourage our people to participate in biblically functioning small groups where they may reach the lost, exercise their gifts, be shepherded, and thus grow in Christ-likeness (Acts 2:44-46)
We believe that life-change happens best in small groups. This includes the concepts of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Proverbs 27:17)
Evangelism
We recognized evangelism as the responsibility of individuals and not the church as an organization. We believe the emphasis of the Great Commission is on discipleship and accordingly, our emphasis will be on equipping believers to reach out in their own spheres of influence.
Grace Orientation We encourage our people to serve Christ from hearts of love and gratitude rather than guilt and condemnation (Rom 6:14)
Creativity and Innovation
We will constantly evaluate our forms and methods, seeking cultural relevance within a Biblical framework. In today's rapidly changing world, forms and methods must be continually evaluated, and if necessary, altered to fit new conditions. While traditions should not be discarded at a whim, we encourage creativity and innovation, flexibility and adaptability. We are more concerned with being than doing.
Mobilized Congregation We seek to equip all our uniquely designed and gifted people to effectively accomplish the work of God's ministry (Eph 4:11-13) We believe that the primary responsibility of the pastor(s) and teachers in the local church is to "prepare God's people for works of service"( Eph 4:12). Therefore, the ministry of Grace Gathering will be placed as much as possible in the hands of lay people. This will be accomplished through training opportunities and through practices which encourage lay initiation, leadership, responsibility, and authority in the various ministries of the church. We are committed to a team model for ministry and organization that equips and empowers every family, member, and leader (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Relational Emphasis
We believe that how we relate to others is a window into our souls. We therefore are committed to exercise a passion for God so deep that we become attractively different people who struggle together in a community that is imperfect but genuinely loving.
Financial Stewardship
We believe that all our financial resources are God's. We therefore encourage our people to use finances creatively to meet needs and further God's work in their respective spheres of influence as God directs. Accordingly, there will be less emphasis on church buildings, ministries, and programs and more on relational opportunities in the community and beyond.
A Commitment to Excellence
We believe that the God of our salvation deserves the best we have to offer. The Lord himself is a God of excellence, as shown by the beauty of creation; further, he gave the best that he had, his only son, for us (Romans, 8:32). Paul exhorts servants, in whatever they do, to "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23). Therefore, in the ministries and activities of Grace Gathering we will seek to maintain a high standard of excellence to the glory of God. This will be achieved when every person is exercising his or her God-given spiritual gift to the best of his or her ability (1 Corinthians 12).
Measuring Success
Recognizing that the weak things of the world have been God’s choice of instruments in the past, we reject common forms of measuring success (e.g. position, power, numbers, finances, buildings, programs) and will attempt to operate with eyes of faith submitting to God, our judge.
