The Core Values of
Immanuel Community Reformed Church
INTRODUCTION
As a congregation of the Reformed Church in America, Immanuel Community Reformed Church accepts as its rule for governance the RCA Book of Church Order. We believe that the purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth is to minister to the total life of all people by preaching, teaching, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by all Christian good works. We hold as faithful witnesses to the truth of Scripture, the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism with its Compendium and the Canons of the Synod of Dort.
1. THE WORD OF GOD
We believe that the Bible is the living, active, inspired Word of God and the only rule of life and faith. We believe that people are transformed when they understand and apply biblical truths. Therefore we will seek to help every person understand and apply God’s word as relevant to everyday life.
Psalm 119: 105 – 106 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath to confirm it, that I will follow your righteous laws.”
Psalm 119: 129 – 130 "Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
2 Timothy 3: 16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2. THE WORSHIP OF GOD
We believe corporate celebration and worship of God should be practiced regularly as a sign of our unity in the exaltation of God. We believe the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. We will use the arts, traditional and contemporary music, multimedia, drama, dance, and any other medium to effectively communicate about God’s love made known to us in Jesus Christ.
Psalm 33: 1 “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
Psalm 100: 4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
Matthew 22: 37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
3. THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD’S PEOPLE
We believe that God has called people to and made people for loving relationships. We believe that life change happens best in the context of a small group of people. We must be a church of small groups, rather than a church with small groups, committed to the value of every member being cared for in a community that will love and prompt them to grow.
Hebrews 10: 24 -25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Acts 2: 44 – 46 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”
4. THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
We believe Christ-followers passionately strive for continuous spiritual growth. We believe that healthy, living things grow. This includes followers of Jesus Christ. When we are spiritually healthy, abiding in Christ and being filled with the Spirit, we will grow spiritually. This means we will have a desire to deepen our knowledge of God and his Word. Our love for the Lord will increase and our desire to serve him will deepen. We believe that this kind of spiritual growth is not reserved only for certain believers, but is intended for all sincere followers of Jesus Christ, young an old alike.
Ephesians 4: 11 – 15 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
2 Peter 3: 18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
2 Timothy 2: 15 “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God, approved a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and rightly handling and skillfully teaching the Word of Truth.”
5. THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S PEOPLE
We believe that it is in the manner of true kingdom greatness to lower ourselves in serving others. We believe that every believer has been given spiritual gifts through which to serve and build up the body. We believe there is a variety and a diversity of gifts, all of equal value. Every believer should discover and use their gifts in service to one another in the church.
Romans 12: 4 – 6 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…”
1 Corinthians 12: 7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Ephesians 4: 11 – 12 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…”
6. THE OUTREACH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Out of love for God and people, we believe it is our duty as individuals and as a church to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord. We place great emphasis on evangelism as a primary duty for every believer and we believe it is important for the church to partner with others doing mission work in our community, across the country and around the world. We seek to be “culturally relevant” to those we are trying to reach with the Gospel both in word and in deed.
Matthew 28: 19 – 20 “’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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Acts 1: 8 “’But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will
be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”
1 Peter 3: 15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
7. THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD’S PEOPLE
We believe Christ-followers of all ages eagerly discover and use their God-given gifts of time, talents and money generously and cheerfully to support and build the work of God in our world through his Church. We recognize that everything we have belongs to God. We are not owners, but stewards of all God has given us. We strive to be responsible in the way we manage the resources God has given us and we generously and cheerfully support the work of God in our church, community and world.
2 Corinthians 8: 7 “But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
1 Peter 4: 10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Timothy 6: 17 – 18 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
8. THE FAMILY UNIT
We believe in the importance of the home and family and will do everything we can to encourage and strengthen the family unit. Our God is a covenant God who has valued families and family relationships since the time of Abraham. The home is the primary place where children are taught to know and serve the Lord, and parents are the primary role models for children.
Genesis 17: 7 “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
Deuteronomy 6: 6 – 7 “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Titus 2: 4 “Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children…”
1 Timothy 3: 12 “A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.”
Psalm 127: 3 “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.”
Ephesians 6: 4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
