Christ Church of the Valley

Kingdom Focused		We will judge what to do based upon what is best for the Kingdom . . . not what is best for an individual member, ministry, or even our local body. At every level, we will put aside our personal desires and do what is best for the Kingdom. We will live with a Kingdom first mentality.

Discipleship Driven		Our goal is to call every person, from whatever their point on the spiritual journey, to authentic Biblical discipleship . . .and to facilitate the process of life-transformation that is inherent in discipleship. Everything in our ministry is to help people live in the fullness of Jesus' call to discipleship. Our people's passionate commitment to Jesus must drive our ministry to the exclusion of all other things. We will not be driven by programs, money, ego, visions of ministry fame, or a desire to please the crowds. We are here to please Jesus. Everything else must be laid down to that end. We must move beyond shallow and vain visions of playing church and religious institution building so that the Kingdom of God can expand in reality as thoughts, actions, and the souls of people are brought under the grace and Lordship of Jesus.

Spirit Formed		Every ministry, cell group and person must be formed and fashioned into it's unique shape by the Spirit of God. Our lives and ministry should reflect both the character of the Spirit and the leading of the Spirit in all areas. At all times we must remain open to His divine leading and show a willingness to change and adapt as the Spirit leads. Because of this, it will be a priority for each person and ministry leader to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with the Spirit of God so that we may clearly discern His voice.

Cell Based		The foundational ministry structure in our ministry will be the small relational community of faith comprised of between 3-12 people. This structure must bleed through every ministry and every level of ministry in our church to the point where everything in the church is cells. Just as our physical body is comprised of cells, so the body of Christ must be as well. Each cell will hold the DNA vision of our ministry: A commitment to our values, vision, and purpose.

Minimally Programmed		Recognizing that programs tend to compete with our one program of discipleship and cell multiplication, we want to keep our programming as a church to an absolute minimum. We aren't here to razzle and dazzle the world with fancy programs - or to offer our people a smorgasbord of programs to be involved in. Instead, we are here to call the world to discipleship and involve every person in our ministry in the one program of living and growing as a disciple of Jesus. To the extent that we do develop programs, it will be imperative that our primary focus on discipleship and cells bleed through the program itself.

Relevant		Everything we do in the church will consciously make an effort to connect our faith with real life. Due to the fact that we live in a constantly changing culture, change will become a constant in our ministry as we seek to communicate the gospel - and facilitate the work of the Spirit - in new and relevant ways.

Relational		Community is at the heart of the gospel. We are a holy nation. God's chosen family. So in all we do we will value people over programs and seek to enhance the relational bond that is essential for God to work in and among us as we celebrate our life together. The very nature of how we do ministry must constantly reflect the priority we place on loving people, taking time for people, and cherishing them as one of God's precious children. It will be essential for us to express genuine realness, warmth, and authenticity.

Purposeful		Facilitating the work of the Kingdom requires intentionality in action . . . and this in turn requires direction. Direction is derived from purpose. Therefore, every aspect of our ministry must intentionally move forward to fulfill the purpose God has given his church. Purpose must be the touchstone for all decisions and directions we take on any level of ministry - discipleship, cells, ministries, or our overall church body. Every activity we engage in, ever decision we make, every dollar we spend must have a clear rational and purpose corresponding to the overall purpose of our ministry.

Every Member Ministry		Seeing that it is God who places gifts within the body for the purpose of carrying on the work of the Kingdom, all that we do must reflect good stewardship of the resources God has provided. It is God who equips the church. As such, we will have a priority on utilizing and nurturing the gifts and people within our body. This is over and above bringing in outside experts. Facilitating the work of the Kingdom isn't as much about the outward talent as it is in releasing, utilizing and nurturing the talents and gifts God has placed within our church family. As we release each member to become the hands and feet of Jesus, we maximize our ability to see the Kingdom extended.

Teamwork		As we go about the daily work of the Kingdom, our attitudes, words, and actions must reflect the priority of unity within the church and good of the body - over and above what would be best for us as individuals. Team members should be treated as dearly loved children of God - in spite of imperfections. Leaders should be respected and supported when decisions are made. And all efforts should be to move forward together rather than advancing our own personal agendas. As such, attitudes and actions such as pride, gossip, dissension, and bitterness which hurt the body must be put aside as these undermine teamwork and are born of the flesh, not the Spirit of God.

Excellence		In all of our ministry, we should do it as if someone's eternity depended on how it was done. We should not give our employer 100% and then give God second best. As we engage in ministry, we should go the extra mile to make sure it is done to with the highest level of excellence possible.