Our Principles
The second level of our philosophy pyramid concentrates on the biblical principles which form the governing values of the church. We believe that our God-given mission is to bring honor to God by making and maturing disciples who are becoming like Jesus Christ. We also believe that we can only truly accomplish this mission if we carry it out according to God's will. Bible principles form the values that govern the way we do ministry. Values are beliefs which motivate behavior. The manner in which ministry is done flows out of the prevailing value system.
No list of values itself can provide the dynamic
necessary to be a transforming force in our church's life. Values come to
life when everyone is aware of them and why they are important. The values
must be widely held to make a difference. At Grace Baptist Church we
believe that the following biblical principles are values that should govern
how we fulfill the mission that God has given to us.
We believe in
GOD-CENTERED vs. MAN-CENTERED
Ministry
A commitment to being a Word-centered fellowship
We believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word and is the sole
authority for the faith and practice of God's people. The Bible is fully
sufficient for making and maturing disciples who live like Jesus Christ in
every area of personal, social and family life.1 Therefore, we
are committed to building up God's people by concentrating on the
communication of biblical truth with relevant application to every area of
life.
A commitment to prayer
We believe that God has commanded the local church to be engaged in
fervent and persistent prayer.2 We believe that, as a loving
Father, He desires to answer the prayers of His children.3
Therefore, we are committed to regular times of corporate prayer,4
and to praying for the advancement of the Gospel and salvation of the lost.5
A commitment to excellence
We believe that God's glory deserves to be honored by the determined
effort to reflect that glory clearly.6 We recognize that
excellence is not simply being the best or doing our best, but that genuine
excellence is using our God-given resources effectively to accomplish the
right mission.7 Therefore, we are committed to purpose driven
ministry which sets clear standards and seeks to achieve them by utilizing
our resources effectively.
(12 Timothy 3:16-17
21 Timothy 2:1-7 3Matthew 7:7-11 4Acts 2:42
52 Thessalonians 3:1; Romans 10:1 61 Corinthians 10:31;
Colossians 3:23 7Matthew 25:14-30)
We believe in
PEOPLE-ORIENTED vs. PROGRAM-ORIENTED
Ministry
A commitment to gift-based ministry
We believe that every believer has been equipped by God with the
abilities needed for fruitful ministry within the local church.8
The gifts are given for building up the body9 and for use in
service to others.10 Therefore, we offer regular and systematic
teaching about gift-based ministry and we seek to place believers into areas
of ministry according to their God-given gifts and abilities.
A commitment to Spirit-motivated ministry
We believe that the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of believers to move
them into ministry for God's pleasure.11 Therefore, we are
committed to placing the priority on people, not programs. We also encourage
freedom in ministry with responsibility, and the bottom-up development of
ministries.
A commitment to an equipping ministry
We believe that the ministry of the local church belongs to every
member, not only those members who in engage in vocational ministry.12
The purpose of vocational ministers is to equip and empower church members
for effective ministry so that the body of Christ may be edified.13
Therefore, we strive to place the ministries of Grace Baptist Church into
the hands of non-vocational ministers.
A commitment to servant leadership
We believe that God establishes clear positions of leadership within the
local church,14 but we affirm that genuine spiritual leadership
is servant leadership which seeks the good and development of those who are
served.15 Therefore, we honor Christ-like meekness and strive to
forge consensus among God's people through diligently teaching biblical
principles.
A commitment to mentoring spiritual leaders
We believe that God calls on present spiritual leaders to cultivate
intentionally future spiritual leaders.16 Therefore, we honor the
ministry of the Word, call believers to serious ministry commitment, and
invest our lives into the mentoring of spiritual leaders who can rise to
fill our place of ministry.
(81 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10 91 Corinthians 14:12 101 Peter 4:10 11Philippians 2:13 12Ephesians 4:12 13Ephesians 4:13-16 141 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:10 15Matthew 20:20-34; 1 Peter 5:1-4 162 Timothy 2:2)
We believe in
PROCESS-FOCUSED vs. EVENT-FOCUSED
Ministry
A commitment to providing accountability in the
context of loving relationships
We believe that God's people are called on to encourage and exhort one
another toward faithful obedience to Christ.17 Therefore, we
structure opportunities for believers to develop loving relationships which
cultivate openness and mutual accountability.
A commitment to training believers for effective
life stewardship
We believe that all believers have been entrusted by God with life,
abilities, material assets, and relationships and that they will be held
accountable by God for their stewardship of these trusts.18
Therefore, we are committed to providing biblical teaching and practical
equipping on all stewardship issues.
A commitment to relational evangelism
We believe that God has placed every believer within a relational
network which is to be his/her primary evangelistic focus. We believe that
Christ's commission to His disciples is to develop redemptive
relationships19 so that they may give a clear verbal witness
about Christ and the Gospel20 and live out the Christian life so
that non-believers may see it.21 Therefore, we encourage
intentional interaction with, not imitation of, the world; we seek to train
believers to communicate the gospel; and, we provide opportunities to
introduce non-believers to the fellowship of our church.