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Core Values

Our Core Values

Kentwood Alliance Church is made up of many people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This is a good thing. With this in mind, it is normal for any group to have a variety of ideas regarding what a church should be and do. The following statements reflect the guiding principles that define and direct us as a family of faith.

We affirm and embrace these common values (rooted in scripture) as the essential and enduring principles that unite our efforts. Though not perfectly attained in the life of our church, these core values direct us by keeping us focused and on track to be the kind of Church which consistently brings honor to God.

  1. The Learning & Living of God’s Word (the Bible) should be evidenced by a transforming life.
    1. Together, we affirm that God’s word is the final authority for life. Christian growth and maturity happens when God’s word is learned and lived. We also affirm that (while the message of the cross will never change) the ways we communicate that message must be clear.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to be clear in our teaching, creative in our communication and intentional in our application of God’s word. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:22-25)
  2. Worship is both an event (when we gather) and a personal commitment to honour Christ 24/7.
    1. Together, we affirm that worship fulfills one of the very reasons why God gives us breath. It is reflected in the daily choices a person makes to give everything of who they are to God. We also affirm that our worship is expressed through an atmosphere of reverence & celebration (when we gather).
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to creating an atmosphere of worship by encouraging obedience to his word and celebrating the life he gives us by teaching that every moment is an opportunity to love and serve Him. (Psalm 100; Mark 12:30-31)
  3. Prayer is an intimate & essential link with God and a necessary discipline in the life of every believer.
    1. Together, we affirm that prayer keeps us in communion with God and humbly models our basic need to depend on him for everything. It is an expression of our love & growing trust. We also affirm that God is sovereign and can choose to work through our prayers to accomplish his will. Through prayer, God changes us, changes circumstances and conquers the power of the enemy.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to teach & encourage prayer as essential in the life of every believer. (Matthew 6:5-13; Philippians 4:6; James 4:2b; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ephesians 6:12,18)
  4. Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost and he calls us to join him in that mission.
    1. Together, we affirm that we are responsible to communicate the gospel to this generation in which we live and that our responsibility is both personal (for every believer) and corporate (as a congregation).
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to become people with a growing love and concern towards those who do not yet know Christ. We will do this by intentionally building authentic and caring relationships with them. We will also work towards equipping every believer with the skills necessary to share the gospel, and we will create (and protect) a church environment which is engaging to non-believers. We will also be a church that is “globally conscious” by being personally involved in local & world missions through prayer, finance and action. (Ezekiel 33:8-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 19:10; 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 1:8)
  5. Maturing growth is the norm for every follower of Christ and should be pursued with intention & resolve.
    1. Together, we affirm that it is God’s design for a believer to become a follower by embracing the disciplined life of a disciple. We also affirm that this commitment is critical for growth and essential for bearing fruit.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to help new believers understand their identity in Christ and provide opportunities for them to learn how to grow and mature in their relationship with God.  We will also challenge and equip every follower to press forward in their pursuit of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14)
  6. God has gifted the Church with people to serve as leaders who should be equipped, empowered and encouraged.
    1. Together, we affirm that God has entrusted the care and ministry of his Church into the hands of some to humbly serve as leaders and that those who lead should be respected and supported.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to pray that God would raise up people willing to serve and we will encourage and release them into ministry. We will be patient with them and will celebrate and learn from all that they do. We will publicly recognize and honour their value and involvement. (Matthew 9:35-38; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17; Ecclesiastes 11:4)
  7. Participating in Fellowship with one another is a necessary commitment for the health of each believer.
    1. Together, we affirm that the Christian life was never designed to be lived in isolation. We need one another. To separate oneself from the body of Christ is both dangerous and disobedient. God intends the Christian life to be lived out in community with one another and must never be thought of as a solo journey.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to the priority of regular weekly worship as well as initiating other events and opportunities where we can learn together, work together and play together. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Proverbs 27:17; Philippians 2;1-5; Hebrews 10:24-25)
  8. Every believer is uniquely gifted by God and needs to be using those gifts to honour and serve him.
    1. Together, we affirm that God has uniquely shaped and gifted every believer to serve in some way. They need to be given the opportunity to discover their gifts and be encouraged to use them. We also affirm that every believer can experience fulfillment, joy and growth as they contribute towards the bigger picture of what God wants to accomplish in and through us.
    2. We will therefore commit ourselves to help believers discover how God has uniquely gifted them and provide opportunities for them to serve, develop their gifts and grow. As a result, the Church will be healthier and more effective towards fulfilling what God has called us to do. (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12)