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CORE VALUES
OF THE
BRIDGE CHURCH
GROW
All healthy, living things grow. We desire to grow in number, but even more in fruitfulness. We value reaching our community with the gospel and increasing our fellowship. But we value even more transformed lives who reflect the character of Jesus Christ. We remember that growing the trellis (structures) is not the same as growing the vine (people).
Colossians 3:6 “. . . the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”
Matthew 28:18-20 “18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
GOSPEL
Not all growth is gospel growth. We value lives changed by the power of God through Jesus. We hope to continually be blessed with nice facilities, strong attendance, abundant resources and influence. But our primary value is to faithfully represent Jesus and the gospel to our community and the world.
Ephesians 2:4-6 “4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
Mark 1:14-15 “14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News 15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
GATHER
We value community. The Christian life was never meant to be lived outside it. Corporate worship on Sundays and life together in connect groups are basic requirements in the life of a healthy Christian.
Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Acts 2:46-47 “46 “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
GIFTS
Healthy disciples serve the Lord and his body, the church, using their God given gifts. We are a vibrant, diverse community of people loving and serving each other and the community where we are planted.
1 Peter 4:10 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Philippians 2:3-7 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. . .”
GIVING
We are contributors, not consumers. Our culture is very noncommittal, but we believe in committing our time, spiritual gifts, money, and strength to serve each other and the world. God is lavishly generous with us, and we strive to be generous as well.
2 Corinthians 9:7 “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Romans 12:8 “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
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