OUR CULTURE

DIVERSITY

We honor and respect diversity. (this largely connects to humility)

• We celebrate and desire diversity of cultures in our community. We believe that God loves the All and Every. That each culture bears the image of God and has things we all need. Each is capable of leadership.

• We honor and respect the diversity in the Church. The Church has a vast history, experience, and traditions. Although we (personally) identify as Protestant, we believe we need to hear and learn from the Catholic and Orthodox branches. Likewise, within Protestantism, there are strengths and truth in each denomination. There is not a single group that holds all truth or has it all figured out.

• We honor and respect the individual and where they’re at on their journey. Knowing God is a journey of faith that has very real stages. While we can teach, disciple, and encourage, we cannot force others to be in any particular place/stage in their journey. We want to be a safe place for people to ask questions, doubt, challenge, explore, and try. We want to treat people with love, respect, grace, empathy, and compassion as we believe God does. No pressure, but trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work in individuals’ lives. 

HUMILITY

We want to be a people of humility. Following Christ’s example of taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11).

• Remaining humble in our theology and perspectives. Being confident in what we believe but recognizing that no one has figured out all truth. Being open to our ideas and beliefs changing if we discover that something else is more true.

• Being humble in our ways of doing things and what we consider ‘right.’ Many of these things are simply cultural, not necessarily moral. Recognize that we are shaped by our countries, our families, etc.

• Practically, being willing to talk, get understanding, letting go of our judgments. Recognizing we may not have all of the information, or know someone’s motives, we are prone to misinterpretation.

HEALTH

We want to be a healthy community. This would include the values of diversity and humility from above. This means allowing time for healthy processes. Allowing time to talk, hear each other, and come to a place of understanding which hopefully results in love and respect. Relationship over productivity. We want not only healthy processes and relationships with each other but also between us and God. We want all "productivity" to flow out of a healthy love for God, others, and ourselves. This means allowing space for continual growth. Having space to be with God, to let him transform our insecurities and hurts, prioritizing prayer and hearing His voice, and regularly being filled by His presence.

DEPTH

We want to have depth. We want to continually go deeper in our relationships with God and with each other. We don’t want to settle for flashy immediate satisfaction, quick fixes, or hype. We’re willing to take the long road, to do what’s harder, more uncomfortable. Because what we’re most interested in are the things that are real and lasting. We want longevity. We want quality over quantity. We’re willing to give up what is temporary for the eternal things.