Values that Guide Us
.
Church of Christ, McAlester, Oklahoma
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
What are the Core Values that support the vision of this church and give the church identity? What are the core values that guide
us as we seek to develop a ‘mission-shaped’ church? We focus on six.
We value Biblical Teaching: Truth.
Because Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), valuing truth requires that we walk in and share the story of Jesus. Because the word of God
is truth (John 17:17), we value Bible teaching which seeks to understand the word of God and apply it in today's world. Such teaching
provides the biblical foundations which guide the Christian in worship, discipleship, relationships, and life. We value truth because we
want to be approved workers (2 Tim. 2:15).
We value Peaceful Harmony: Unity.
Jesus prayed that his followers would be united (John 17). We are admonished to maintain the Spirit of unity and bonds of peace
(Eph. 4:3). The basis of biblical unity is set forth in the seven "ones"--one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father (Eph. 4:4). Our unity depends upon the harmony of the body as it works together according to the plan of God,
reaching maturity in Christ (Eph. 4:12-16). We value unity because we are brothers.
We value Caring Evangelism: Touch.
Jesus came as the Lord who touches lives. Touch requires that we become involved in the lives of others. When we commit
ourselves to touch the hurts of our world, we are able to respond to needs as Jesus did. Because we want to touch others as Jesus
did, we seek to help with physical needs, but we always have in view the greatest need--the eternal need that surpasses all
experiences in this world. This commitment to help others with the needs of life guides our evangelism and missions. We value and
seek to help others as faithful ambassadors.
We value Living Like Jesus: We are Disciples.
The word Christian means "one who is like Christ." A disciple is a learner. It is enough that the student be like the teacher, that the
disciple be like the Master (Luke 6:40). The church is a place for nurturing faith and spiritual growth. Few aspects of our lives are
more impressive to those that watch us than the fact that we live like Christ. We are his followers (disciples), we imitate him.
We value Loving Like Jesus: We are Family.
To say that we value family has two meanings: we value the connections and loving relationships that are part of the family of God.
We value God's plan for our families and seek to provide support and encouragement. Because we are a spiritual family of God, we
encourage meaningful relationships that allow people to connect at the heart-level.
We value Equipping and Empowering for Excellent Ministry: We are Servants.
Jesus came to serve. When we follow him, we are also servants. God's plan for his church includes every member ministry. The
effective involvement of every member requires that we equip and empower one another. We recognize the need for empowering
leadership. We seek excellence in our service to God, one another, and others. Because God calls all of his children to be servants,
we encourage one another toward gift-oriented service.
