Our core values are deeply held beliefs that determine who we are and what we do.While our vision is a big-picture, long-term dream, our values are what guide us. They function like the banks of a river - keeping the momentum of the water heading in the appropriate direction. Our six values will be extensively taught, discussed, modeled, and practiced.

We value...

1. Reaching people and helping them discover Jesus in a relevant, inclusive community. As we introduce people to Jesus, we will provide a relevant environment for people to encounter Him. We are committed to removing every barrier we can between people and God as we communicate the timeless, biblical truths. In everything we do, we want people to feel like they are included and a part;we encourage people to come - just as they are - assuming nothing of those who are discovering Jesus for the first time.

Relevance will inform every aspect of our ministry - from Sunday Celebrations to our daily conversations. Our language, music, messages, media, and environment will speak to the postmodern minds and hearts we are committed to reaching. We are committed to creating a warm, friendly environment that is as accessible as possible to those discovering Christ. And, we are deeply committed to starting new churches and renewing existing churches as they help people discover Jesus as well. [I Corinthians 9:16-22, Matthew 28:18-20]

2. Belonging to a safe, real community where broken lives are healed. In the fallen world we live, authentic relationships are few and far between. Every one of us has experienced the brokenness sin brings and the wounds of life's turmoil. We will be a safe place where broken people can be real with where they areat in life - not worried about being cast out or condemned. We assume that Jesus wants to heal and transform the broken areas of our life, and we want to provide aplace for people to experience this life-long process.

In our messages, groups, ministries, and relationships, we will assume that peopleare in need of physical, emotional, relational, financial, and spiritual wholeness. We will not skirt the issue, and we will provide opportunities for people to deal with wounds, addictions, and brokenness by encountering the healing grace of God. We will also provide paths of support, therapy, and restoration each step of the way. [Luke 5:30-32, I Peter 2:9-11, 21-25]

3. Growing to become more like Jesus through lifelong inner transformation and a counter-culture lifestyle. As we choose to dedicate our life to following Jesus, lifelong inner transformation is a natural result. We are deeply committed to holding a high bar of becoming more like Christ - not through our own hardwork, but through the intense submission to the transforming work available to us through God's gift of grace. We will lovingly and courageously create an environment of radical life transformation where followers of Christ become counter-culture - not aggressive, nor antagonistic - but "counter" in the sense we are intensely focused on submitting our lives to Jesus, becoming more like Him, serving people in need, and constantly learning what it means to honor God with our whole lives.

We believe that inner transformation happens best in small communities of people meeting together on a regular basis. We will heavily emphasize the development of leaders to create authentic, life-changing small groups committed to creating transformed followers of Christ. We will choose "not" to start certain ministries that might derail this foundational aspect of our church. [Galatians 5:13-26, Ephesians 2:1-10, 4:17-5:20, Hebrews 5:11-14]

4. Serving one another, our neighbors, and our world compassionately. As we follow Jesus, our hearts will be overwhelmed with compassion. This compassion functions as a powerful stimulus to provoke us to serve every person we are in relationship with. Beyond serving people we know (including our church family), we believe that serving our neighbors and world is essential to imitating Christ and spreading His love.

As we teach that every member of God's family is a minister, we will devote a great deal of energy to serving. We believe that acts of service will come naturally within our church family as we love one another. And, we will specifically structure our time to physically serve people we do not know - both out of compassion for those in need and as a powerful introduction to the heart of Jesus. Much of our church growth (physical and spiritual) will come through the process of serving our community. [Mark 10:42-45, John 13:1-17, 1 Corinthians 12]

5. Celebrating and responding to God in authentic, creative, and beautiful worship. Assuming that our whole lives are about responding to God, we are passionate about worshipping Him - individually and corporately. Our authenticity will be apparent through an openness to express our emotions to God. Creativity will permeate how and where we worship and honor Him. And, we recognize that when God's people passionately worship Him, it will be amazingly beautiful to Him and to those discovering Jesus.

As we worship corporately, we will intentionally create passionate moments of worship drawing people into the presence of God. We will utilize creativity and the arts to help people express worship and experience God in a familiar, image-based language. Although we are concerned with the quality and excellence of our presentation, we are more focused on how passionate and beautiful our worship is in the eyes of our Creator. [I Chronicles 16:8-36, Psalm 96, Romans 12:1-2]

6. Leading others toward a fun, adventurous, ministry lifestyle. Leadership is the process of inviting others to join us on the journey of following Christ. Jesus calls us to shepherd others and lead them toward a closer relationship with Him.

It is assumed that followers will work toward leading other followers - not out of a desire to gain position or power, but out of a servant's heart. In the process of leadership, we believe God wants us to have fun and envision our lives and ministry as an adventure. Leadership development will never end; our church will constantly need more leaders to shepherd new followers as they discover Jesus. Leaders will model our core values and be responsible for overseeing the work of the ministry. They will be entrusted with high levels of leadership as they walk closely with Jesus, develop leadership skills, and serve others with humility. [I Timothy 3:1-14, I Peter 5:1-11, John 10:10]