Core Values

a. We believe that anointed teaching is the catalyst for transformation in individuals’ lives and in the church. This includes the concept of teaching for life change – Romans 12:7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:23-25. b. We believe that lost people matter to God, and ought to matter to the church. This includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process. This highlights the need to respect each person’s unique spiritual journey to the Cross. Luke c. 5:30-32, Luke 15, Matthew 18:14, 1 Corinthians 1:18 d. We believe that the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. The message is sacred, not the method. This includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through our facility, printed materials, and use of the arts -1 Corinthians 9:19-23. e. We believe that Christ-followers should manifest authenticity and yearn for continuous growth. This includes the concepts of personal authenticity, character, and wholeness – Ephesians 4:25-26, 32, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 1:6. f. We believe that a church should operate as a unified community of servants with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts. This includes the concepts of unity, servanthood, spiritual gifts, and ministry callings – 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Romans 12, g. Ephesians 4, Psalm 133:1. h. We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. This includes the concepts of love-driven ministry, ministry accomplished in teams and relationship building –1 Corinthians 13, Nehemiah 3, Luke 10:1, John 13:34-35.

i. We believe that life-change happens best in small groups. This includes the concepts of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability – Luke 6:12-13, Acts 2:44-47. j. We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people. We are to do the best we can with what we have. This includes the concepts of evaluation, critical review, intensity and excellence – Colossians 3:17, Malachi 1:6-14, Proverbs 27:17 k. We believe that churches should be led by men and women with leadership gifts. This includes the concepts of empowerment, servant leadership, strategic focus, and intentionality – Nehemiah 1-2, Romans 12:8, Acts 6:2-5. l. We believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every believer. This includes the concepts of stewardship, servanthood, downward mobility, and the pursuit of kingdom goals – 1 Kings 11:4, Philippians 2:1-11, 2 Corinthians 8:7.

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, and only inerrant authoritative Word of God. We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling, the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life and to bear witness to Jesus Christ, our only Savior. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved, unto the resurrection of life, and those who are lost, to the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the spiritual unity of the believers in Christ.

Brethren have asserted from their beginnings that believers must hold correct doctrinal beliefs and also demonstrate visibly the new life which they have received in Christ Jesus. Thus doctrine is no mere exercise of the mind but a declaration through the entire life that Jesus Christ is Lord. For this reason Brethren life, like Brethren belief, centers on Jesus Christ. God has made available to us in Christ and the Spirit, in Scripture and the church, all the resources needed to live the life of faith. By His life Christ exemplified the walk to which we are called; by His death He made possible renewed fellowship with the Father; by His resurrection He revealed the power that is available to us. The Holy Spirit now enables us as God’s children to live in obedience to Scripture and grow in spiritual maturity. Scripture provides the teaching and example of Jesus and the apostles which we are to follow as a loving response to God and as a means of glorifying Him. The church is the gathered community which nurtures believers in the life of faith. Using these resources, we can demonstrate the new birth through new behavior. What we are by faith in Christ we are to become by faithfulness to our Lord. (Matt. 7:21-27; 1 John 2:6; Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-19; 1 John 1:3; Eph. 1:18-21; Rom. 8:12-17; Gal. 5:16-25; John 14:15, 21-24; 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; Col. 1:9-10; Heb. 10:23-25; Col. 1:21-23; 2:6-7)

THE INDIVIDUAL

a) Obedience Personal obedience is a necessary expression of faith in Christ. We are to obey the teachings of Christ and the apostles not as a means of salvation, but as a grateful response to the grace we have received. Likewise our obedience is not motivated by slavish adherence to external laws, but by inner commitment to love God and please Him in all respects. While perfection is unattainable in this life, we press on toward the goal of full obedience to Christ. (Rom. 1:5; 16:26; James 2:18-26; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:9-12; 2 Cor. 3:5-6; Col. 2:20-3:3; Matt. 22:34-40; Rom. 13:8-10; Phil. 3:12-14)

b) The Devotional Life The devotional life is the practice of private worship. It recognizes that the heart of the Christian faith is a personal relationship between the God of holy love and human beings for whom He cares. For this bond of fellowship and love to grow, the believer must give consistent attention to prayer and to the reading and study of Scripture. In faithful devotional life God meets us and we meet Him. The effect is the believer’s deepening trust, growing understanding, and Christ-like living. (Deut. 7:6-16; 1 John 4:7-19; Luke 5:16; Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-17; Phil. 4:8-9; Ps. 1:1-6; 9:10; Prov. 9:10)

c) Spiritual Maturity Spiritual maturity is the process of transforming the entire character of the believer into the image of Christ. He is the source, the focus, and the goal of this process. Christians mature as they practice a vital devotional life, use their gifts, share their faith, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit. The result is a character marked by wisdom, balance, and, above all, love. (Eph. 4:11-13; Gal. 2:20; Phil.1:21; Col. 2:6; Ps. 1:1-6; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 3:15; Gal. 5:16-25; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 13:4-7)

THE FAMILY

a) Marriage God ordained marriage at creation as the lifelong covenant between a man and a woman that creates a new family unit. The New Testament uses the relationship between Christ and His church as the model for the union between a husband and a wife. The love they share is demonstrated through mutual respect and support as each responsibly serves the other. Exclusive to marriage is the sexual relationship. It is God’s gift, and is for the expression of intimacy and the continuation of the human race. (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-6, Eph. 5:21-33, Col. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Heb. 13:4; Gen.1:27-28; Prov. 5:15-23)

b) Family The family is ordained by God as society’s basic unit. Its nucleus is a husband and a wife and any children they may have. Scripture commands parents to provide the proper environment in which children can grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As an expression of this responsibility, parents are encouraged to bring their children before the congregation in an act of public dedication. By instruction and example, parents are to teach their children about faith in God, leading them toward personal acceptance of Christ as saving Lord. Children are to honor and obey their parents, and so learn to become responsible individuals through their parents’ loving support and discipline. All family members share obligation for the care of one another. (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:24; Deut. 6:5-7; Ps. 78:1-8; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 1 Sam. 1:27-28; Luke 2:22; Matt.19:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15; Ex. 20:12; Prov. 6:20-24; Luke 2:51-52; Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 1 Tim. 5:8)

THE CHURCH

a) Worship The church worships when believers gather to praise and honor the living God. His nature and works call forth responses of reverence, submission, adoration, and celebration. These responses take the forms of reading and declaring His Word, praying, singing, giving, and other activities that glorify God. The worship experience should never be taken lightly. It requires preparing the heart, focusing the mind, exercising the will, and the participation of each worshiper. True worship glorifies God and renews His people. (1 Ch. 16:7-36; Ps. 8:1-9; 100:1-5; Rom. 11:33-36; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:18-20; John 4:23-24; Rom. 12:1-2; Ps.33:1; Heb. 12:28-29)

b) Fellowship The source of Christian fellowship is our relationship with God restored through Christ. Fellowship is the bond that forms as God joins believers to one another in Christ’s body by His Spirit. True fellowship is Christ-centered, resulting in a unity which is based on truth, love, and humility. Therefore togetherness without substance, emotion without obedience, or tolerance without caring cannot be fellowship. Genuine fellowship will produce a sense of mutual concern, wholehearted service, and abiding joy. The nearest the church approaches the divine ideal of fellowship is in the experience of the communion service. (1 John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:1-6; Eph. 4:14-16; Phil. 2:1-4; John 13:34-35; Gal. 5:13-15; 1 John 1:3-4)

c) Discipleship Jesus calls people to follow Him, learn from Him, and bring others to Him. This lifelong process is discipleship. It begins as the Holy Spirit leads persons to repentance and faith in Christ. It continues as they use the resources available in Christ and the Spirit, in Scripture and the church, to grow in the life of faith. The church is responsible to shepherd and nurture believers in their growth. Discipleship is not optional for the Christian. The life goal of every believer is Christlikeness. (Matt. 11:28-30; Matt. 16:24-26; Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 14:25-33; Heb. 5:11-6:2; Phil. 4:19; John 16:13-14; 2 Tim.3:16-17; Heb. 10:23-25; Eph. 4:11-16; Matt. 7:21-23)

d) Stewardship God has entrusted to all persons resources to manage during their lifetime; for example, life, family, time, abilities, opportunities, and material possessions. While providing these for our enjoyment, He likewise instructs believers to entrust all back to Him, to be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share. Because our culture has clouded the difference between real and perceived needs, the believer must learn to be content with what God has provided and renounce selfish materialism. Our example is Christ, who, though rich, became poor for the sake of others. Stewards who are found faithful do not put their trust in material possessions; they entrust these possessions to God, using them for His glory and the extension of His kingdom. (1 Ch. 29:14; Ps. 24:1; Eccles. 2:24-25; 2 Cor. 8:3-5; 9:6-15; 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Matt. 6:24-34; Phil. 4:11-13; 1Tim. 6:6-10; Heb. 13:5; 2 Cor.8:9; Prov. 11:28; Luke 16:1-13; 1 Cor. 4:2)

e) Discipline The church is called to be a body which reflects God’s character of holy love. Therefore the spiritual well-being of each member is its concern. This concern is shown in discipline that seeks the restoration of members whose behavior is damaging their relationship with God or other people. The primary responsibility for reconciliation rests with the person(s) involved. If this responsibility is not fulfilled, the church must take initiative to effect reconciliation because persistent sin weakens the health of the entire body. If these efforts fail, the final recourse is to remove the unrepentant member(s). (Eph. 1:3-6; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 1 John 4:7-8, 16 Gal. 6:1; James 5:19-20; Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-22; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; 1 Cor. 5:9-13)

THE WORLD

a) The State God has ordained governments as His agency for maintaining social order in a sinful world. Christians are to submit to governments by obeying their laws, paying taxes, and honoring those in office. We are to pray for our leaders so that we may lead quiet and godly lives. Christians should minister on behalf of the downtrodden, working within the system to bring about justice. When faced with an oppressive social order, they are to respond with love, demonstrating within the church a Christian alternative. Where obedience to Scripture conflicts with the law of the land, believers must be willing to suffer for what is right. Knowing that both individuals and governments are under God’s sovereignty, the church summons all to repentance and submission to the Lordship of Christ. (Matt. 22:15-22; Rom. 13:1-7; 1Pet. 2:13-15; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Prov. 14:31; 19:17; 22:22-23; 1John 3:17; Is. 10:1-2; Amos 5:10-15 Dan. 3:13-18; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:20-23; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; Acts 17:30-31) b) Three Negatives Obedience to Christ is the center of Brethren life. This conviction has led the Brethren historically to practice non-conformity, nonresistance, and non-swearing. In non-conformity, Brethren have sought to follow the way of Christ in contrast to the way of the world. In non-resistance, Brethren have renounced the Christian’s use of violence in combating evil, striving, as far as possible, to be reconciled to all persons. In non-swearing, Brethren have sought to lead such trustworthy Christian lives that oath-taking becomes unnecessary. Every believer must live in a way that exhibits to the world the truth and love of Christ. (Matt. 7:13-14; Rom. 12:1-2;1 Pet. 1:14-16; Matt. 5:38-46; Rom. 12:14-21; Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12; Matt. 5:13-16)

c) Social Concern The church is called to be both witness and servant in society. As witness, the church is salt and light in the world. This includes not only living obediently but also addressing the moral and social issues of the day from the foundation of Scripture. As servant, the church is to radiate God’s love manifested in Jesus. Among believers we seek to express this love through mutual aid and care. In the world we seek to minister to the whole range of human needs. Service to others is in reality service to Christ and a necessary expression of our obedience. (Matt. 5:13-16 1 Pet. 2:12; Zech. 7:8-14; James 2:1-16; Eph. 5:1-2; 1 John 4:7-11; Acts 2:44-45; Col. 3:12-14; Matt. 25:31-46)

d) Evangelism God has reached out in love through the person and work of Jesus to redeem a lost world. He demonstrated the heart of evangelism by sharing the good news with all whom He met. Christ promised abundant life to those who respond in obedient faith. Following His example, each believer, grateful to God and burdened for fallen humanity, shares with others the new life in Christ. This witness is a natural expression of the total attitude and life of the person under the Lordship of Christ. Empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, believers model and proclaim good news to a dying world for the purpose of making disciples and building the church. (John 3:16; Matt. 4:23-2; John 5:24; 10:10; Acts 5:42; 1 Pet. 3:15; Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20)

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