1. Go!
Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. Our primary purpose must be to reach out beyond ourselves. Groups that focus only inwardly become stagnant. Focusing outwardly brings life (Mark 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:5).
2. Growth!
A harvest is coming when the Lord will draw multitudes into His Kingdom. It is not enough just to get people saved. The Great Commission found at the end of Matthew 28 tells us to also teach them how to grow in God. He wants us to actively disciple people. To disciple means to teach, train, and equip people to look like and do the things of Jesus. It has to be taught, demonstrated, and seen in some form of relationship with a more mature believer. Discipleship is much more than information imparted to the brain. It is becoming "in formation" in God's army.
3. Intimacy with Jesus!
Many people know about Jesus, but we want people to know Him intimately and then help others to know Him. We want to teach people how to hear His voice for themselves. Group ministry along with the teaching during the Gatherings provides a spiritual atmosphere for believers to know Him (John 17:3).
Core Values
4. Release!
We must resist the “holy man myth” . Thinking that the “holy man” (leader of a church) should do all the work of ministry is a myth. God has given each of His children gifts, talents, and ministries to be used to build His Church.
Believers need to be trained on how to train others. When all members are functioning properly in their gifts and ministries, the church will grow and prosper. The pastors and elders will no longer be held up as holy men on pedestals doing all of the ministry. Instead, they will be released to train each believer to be a minister (Ephesians 4:11-12).
5. Relationships!
The New Testament Church is built on trust and relationships, not on meetings and programs. First and foremost, we need to trust in God. Then we need to trust others with whom we serve. God builds living stones together into a living temple through the mortar of healthy relationships (1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 4:16). Long term relationships are encouraged. Our model of Groups encourages this, and as a result, members become committed to each other.
6. Teams!
Teamwork, instead of a "Lone Ranger" mentality, is what God is setting up in leadership structures today. Teamwork is modeled and learned in a healthy Group. We have been created to be interdependent (to need one another). See 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Amos 3:3.
We must resist the “holy man myth” . Thinking that the “holy man” (leader of a church) should do all the work of ministry is a myth. God has given each of His children gifts, talents, and ministries to be used to build His Church.
Believers need to be trained on how to train others. When all members are functioning properly in their gifts and ministries, the church will grow and prosper. The pastors and elders will no longer be held up as holy men on pedestals doing all of the ministry. Instead, they will be released to train each believer to be a minister (Ephesians 4:11-12).
5. Relationships!
The New Testament Church is built on trust and relationships, not on meetings and programs. First and foremost, we need to trust in God. Then we need to trust others with whom we serve. God builds living stones together into a living temple through the mortar of healthy relationships (1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 4:16). Long term relationships are encouraged. Our model of Groups encourages this, and as a result, members become committed to each other.
6. Teams!
Teamwork, instead of a "Lone Ranger" mentality, is what God is setting up in leadership structures today. Teamwork is modeled and learned in a healthy Group. We have been created to be interdependent (to need one another). See 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Amos 3:3.