Core Practices

Inasmuch as the Christian life is not primarily about what we say but about what we actually do (Jas 2:14-26), we believe that life in union with God through Christ is joyfully characterized by the following practices, which we seek to faithfully embody together:

1. Regular practice of the spiritual disciplines (Bible study, prayer, fasting, solitude/silence, giving, worship, witness, etc.) that we might abide in Christ/practice God’s presence (Jn 15; Lk 5:16; 1 Thess 5:17), both corporately and individually.

2. Imitating God, walking in obedience to all of Christ’s commands, no matter the cost (Eph 5:1; 1 Jn 2:6; Jn 8:31, 13:34-35, 14:15; Lk 14:33; Mt 28:19-20; Phil 2:8).

3. Disciplined, generous stewardship of all of life before God, doing all things for His glory and for the establishment of His Kingdom (time, talents, treasure, relationships – 1 Cor 10:31; 1 Pt 4:10; Mt 25:14-30; Col 3:23; Lk 12:42-46; 2 Cor 5:15; Rom 14:8; Mt 6:33).

4. Regular practice of hospitality to believers, unbelievers, the poor (Heb 13:2, 16; 1 Pt 4:9; Rom 12:13; Mt 25:34-46; Titus 1:8; Lev 19:34; Lk 10:25-37; 14:12-14; 1 Tim 3:2, 5:10; 3 Jn 1:5-8).

5. Regular and generous giving to and serving others, including the poor, widows/orphans, persecuted believers, the unreached, etc. (2 Cor 8-9; Jas 1:27; 1 Tim 5:3-16; 1 Jn 3:17-18; Gal 2:10; Mt 19:21).

6. Regular engagement in bold/compassionate witness (i.e. evangelism, word and deed) and living life on mission that the kingdom of God might be established in every place (This would include regularly praying for unbelievers and sharing the gospel with them, as well as generously supporting world missions and the persecuted church), in addition to carrying out the ministry of reconciliation we have been entrusted with in pursuit of reconciliation with God, with one another, and with the created order more broadly (Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15; 2 Cor 5:14-21; 2 Cor 8-9; Mt 5:14-16).

7. Consistently exercising spiritual gifts for the building up of the church and the salvation of the lost both in the context of church gatherings and in the greater community (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Pt 4:10-11; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:11-16).

8. Purposeful engagement in spiritual warfare/intercessory prayer for the breaking down of spiritual strongholds (Eph 6:10-20; 2 Cor 10:3-5; 1 Thess 5:17; Mt 17:19-21).

9. Active in discipleship, being and making disciples in community (Mt 28:16-20).