The Core Values of New Hope Christian Church

 

      Naturally, because we are a collection  of diverse individuals, we all have slightly different values with regard to how we go about serving Christ. In fact, that’s one of the beauties of New Hope Christian Church: the diversity.

 

      While diversity is prized, our love for God and for our fellow man unify our efforts. There are certain common values that unify our labors.

    

     We can summarize our core values using the following 10 statements:

 

 Value 1: We believe that God-led teaching is the catalyst for transformation in individuals’ lives and in the church.

 

 This includes the concepts of teaching for life change—Romans 12:7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:23-25.

 

 Value 2: We believe that lost people matter to God, and therefore, ought to matter to the church.

 

 This includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process—Luke 5:30-32, Luke 15, Matthew 18:14.

 

Value 3: We believe that the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure.

 

 This includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through our facilities, printed materials, use of the arts, and presentation of Bible teaching— 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

 

Value 4: We believe that Christ-followers can serve together in harmony by concentrating on Christ and not on their differences.

 

 This includes the concepts of accepting the weaker brother, avoiding meaningless controversy and arguments about words  and the law, and focusing on Christ instead—Titus 3:8-9, Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

 Value 5: 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, Ephesians 4, Psalm 133:1.

 

 Value 6: We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life.

 

 This includes the concepts of love-driven ministry, ministry accomplished in small groups, and relationship building—1 Corinthians 13, Nehemiah 3, Luke 10:1, John 13:34-35.

 

 Value 7: We believe that life-change happens best in “community” where people are close enough to care for each other, listen to each other, and be accountable to each other.

 

 This includes the concepts of Small Groups, Youth Groups, Ministry Teams, discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability—Luke 6:12-13, Acts 2:44-47.

 

 Value 8: We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people.

 

 This includes the concepts of evaluation, critical review, intensity, and excellence—Colossians 3:17, Malachi 1:6-14, Proverbs 27:17.

 

 Value 9: We believe that churches should be led by those 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.

 

 Value 10: 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.

 

      These ten values have helped New Hope to align her efforts toward becoming a biblically functioning community that is growing both spiritually and numerically.