Everything we do and say flows out of our defining values.
Since our opening in January 2015, these eight values (from our Exploring Membership and Mission booklet) shape how we relate to one another, to our community,
and to the world around us.
OUR GREATEST DESIRE IS TO BRING GLORY TO GOD
Our primary reason for existing as a church is to draw attention to God in all his greatness. This is our ultimate passion. We long to see God’s supremacy recognized and demonstrated in our lives and in the lives of all people. To that end, Redeeming Grace Church will be intentionally and explicitly God-centered in all we do —in our worship, in our teaching, in our ministry, and in our personal lives—and we will seek to do these things in such a way as to bring honor to God.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Psalm 96:3
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Romans 1:16
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, weven when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ –
by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5
A PASSION FOR THE GOSPEL
We dearly love the gospel, the good news that Christ died for our sins making it possible for us to be at peace with God and assured of eternity with him. This undeserved grace continually amazes us and affects us as we think about the magnitude of God’s love for us. We believe that the people of Redeeming Grace must have a clear understanding and a deep personal appreciation of the Gospel in order for them to live in the goodness of this amazing grace day to day. We believe that our personal devotion to the gospel will be discernible in lives marked by pronounced joyfulness, evident humility, uncommon generosity and an abiding personal assurance of God’s love.
A LOVE FOR GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
As a result of our personal experience of God’s love through the Gospel, we eagerly seek to obey the first and greatest commandment—to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. This love is the natural and joyful response to experiencing God’s gracious forgiveness, for the one who is “forgiven much, loves much.” This love for God will be expressed in all we do but it will find a particularly heightened expression in worship, both personal and when the church is gathered.
GRACE-MOTIVATED, LIFE-LONG SANCTIFICATION
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
God’s saves and sanctifies those he has called to himself. While Christians have been declared righteous (i.e. --> 'justified') before God on the basis of their faith in Christ’s death for their sins, it is God’s purpose to also make them more righteous as Christ is righteous (i.e. --> 'sanctified'). Our gratefulness and thanks towards God for His saving grace motivates us to eagerly and intentionally cooperate in the life-long process of being made more and more like Jesus Christ. In this ongoing process of sanctification, God uses many means of grace, which are experienced especially within the contexts of the body of Christ, the local church.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control … If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22, 23, 25
THE IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION SOUND DOCTRINE
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good … All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:7, 11
At Redeeming Grace, we treasure the Bible as God’s inspired Word and gladly submit to its authority. We believe that the Bible is the completely true and trustworthy Word of God, and we also believe God gave it to us for the express purpose of shaping our thinking and our lives. In addition, we are convinced it is completely sufficient to guide us in all areas related to our personal faith and the life of the church. At Redeeming Grace we consider the intentional and untiring application of biblical teaching (i.e., doctrine) to be of the highest importance. Through Sunday morning preaching and teaching, grace group discussions, special classes and personal study, we will look to the Bible for God’s wisdom on all matters and, finding it, trust that wisdom by putting it to use.
THE ACTIVE PRESENCE AND MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. … Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Romans 12:10, 13
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:16
At Redeeming Grace we earnestly desire and actively pursue the dynamic ministry of the Holy Spirit in our midst. The Spirit counsels us, comforts us, guides us and convicts us of sin. He leads us into all truth, illumines our minds to understand it and impresses it deeply on our hearts to apply it. He opens our eyes to the significance of the Cross. He helps us to pray. He gives us power to overcome temptation and he causes the fruit of righteousness to be borne in our lives. He graciously and generously gives gifts to people for the good of the church. He empowers us for service and witness. He gives evidence of God’s presence among us. At Redeeming Grace, we deeply long for the fullness of the Spirit’s presence and ministry in the life of our church.
GROWING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE LOCAL CHURCH
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
We are deeply committed to the local church as the primary place where God is working out his purpose in people’s lives and then to the world. We believe the engaged, active participation in a local church is helpful and essential for the spiritual growth of individual Christians. As believers, we have been joined together by the Spirit into one body, and understand our participation in the church primarily as purposeful involvement in each other’s lives. At Redeeming Grace we are committed to caring for and serving one another. We know this is not always easy, but out love for and obedience to God, we’re committed to work at developing honest, deepening and growing relationships as we follow Christ together. Meaningful biblical fellowship is enjoyed in the context of these committed relationships.
COMMITMENT TO FAITHFULLY PASS THE GOSPEL ON TO OTHERS
...that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children.
Psalm 78:6
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
At Redeeming Grace we see ourselves, along with all Christians, as commissioned by God to engage with our local community and with the larger world in such a way that the Gospel is faithfully demonstrated and clearly proclaimed. We also see it as a specific charge from God to pass on to our children a clear and complete doctrine and a compelling witness to the transforming power and grace of God, and by so doing, firmly establish the next generation in its faith in Jesus Christ. Redeeming Grace is committed to the advance of the gospel in our homes, in our community and in the world.
