Core Value: Shaped
November 9, 2007
Two weeks ago I used this space to share some core values that we hope will more clearly define how our beliefs influence our direction as a church. I have received some feedback on these and continue to invite your input regarding how accurately these describe our identity and direction. As the core values are being shaped, I want to utilize the article each week to expound upon the six statements and why they are central to our vision.
Core Value #1:
We prayerfully seek to be shaped in our priorities and affections by the Christ-centered story line of the Bible rather than the values and assumptions of this passing age.
Behind this statement is the acknowledgment that the world we live in has a set of values and assumptions that conflicts with the teachings of Jesus. This incongruity goes beyond moral hotpoints like sexuality, money, and family norms. The Bible presents a holistic perspective on the origins of the universe, the purpose of human existence, the reasons behind the current, broken state of affairs, and the glorious consummation of God’s kingdom that Jesus’ return will realize. Knowing that these Biblical teachings are contradicted by professors and pop culture, our aim is to be more affected by God’s revealed perspective on reality than what we hear from our fellow humans who do not see the whole picture.
This affects us practically on at least two levels. On the personal level, we must allow God’s word to shape our minds and hearts daily through Scripture reading and meditation. The aim of this is not to memorize a few disconnected moralisms, but to soak in the story God is telling from Genesis to Revelation-a story that climaxes with Jesus Christ. As our statement says, we do this with much prayer and ask God to grant us the appropriate affections that the gospel produces: joy, hope, peace, patience and comfort.
On the congregation level, this means that we teach and preach to our children, youth, and adults with certain aims in mind. We highlight the glory of our King, praying that it will outshine the false glitz this world puts forth. We spotlight the mercy of the gospel, praying that we will be satisfied and secure in God’s covenant faithfulness and not vulnerable to Satan’s deceitful offers of security apart from God. And we do this all in the context of the bigger Biblical story, exploring the contribution of Leviticus and Lamentations and Job and Joel to the big picture of God’s redemption of his creation through the death and resurrection of his Son.
I am thankful to be part of a church that esteems the Bible so highly, and pray that we would continue to be personally and corporately saturated in his word, trusting that God will use it to shape our hearts with the glorious story he is telling.
Pastor Chris