The following simple document is our hopeful ideology; it's
what drives us as a group. We hold theological opinions,
historical ideas and musings of all sorts, but this list of
values is how we wish to proceed in all we do from here in
plain English. We know it's idealistic, and we know we
fall short of the ideal, yet, if we have nothing to aim at,
no goal to call us higher than we are, why go on? These five
statements have been used to keep us on track, to remind us
of where we are going and how we hope to get there.
There is one statement left out here, one endemic to all five
others. We know it, we follow it, we believe it, we live
it, but we did not write it here because it is what all Christianity
is really based on. It's just part of what we are. We
evangelize. We are here to disciple, to lead, to follow,
to bring others on the same journey if they are willing to
come.
THE FIVE VALUES OF THE GATHERING
Community: We will value community and express it by cherishing
fellowship. We will evangelize together through community support.
We will partner with other churches realizing we are just one
expression of the universal church.
Priesthood of Believers: is a function of the church body.
We will empower people to use their gifts to further God’s
kingdom and rely on them to fulfill many priestly functions.
We will also allow ourselves to take risks on people with passion.
Spirituality: All we believe will be based in scripture. All
we attempt will be based in prayer. All we do will be done
with passion.
Christianity: We will value relationships over culture. We
desire that tradition teach, but not control.
Education: We commit ourselves to educate while avoiding indoctrination.
We permit ourselves the freedom to question. And we realize
our knowledge is incomplete in this world.
