CORE VALUES 

On the basis of God's Word, we embrace the following values as foundational for our life and ministry together.

COMMUNITY
We believe that the experience of a caring, loving, grace-filled community is both a gift and calling from God.  It is in community that we are encouraged in our Christian living, held accountable for our behavior, supported in times of difficulty, and find our spiritual gifts affirmed and put to use.  To be a community were all persons -- regardless of ability, age, gender, background, economic status, or race -- are fully enfolded and empowered, is a compelling testimony to the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that is with us.

WORSHIP
We believe that worship is the most vital activity of the church.  In worship we encounter the Living God -- the One who made us, who sent his Son into the world to save us, and who empowers us to live new lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is our joy to gather every Sunday to glorify this God, to hear his Word proclaimed, to confess our sins, to offer our prayers and gifts, to celebrate the sacraments, and to be sent out to serve God and neighbor in our daily lives.  Believing that worship is for God's whole family, we endeavor to make it a meaningful experience for God's children of all ages, abilities, races, etc.

DISCIPLESHIP
We believe that being disciples of Christ and making disciples for Christ is at the heart of our life and ministry together.  Christ has commanded us to teach and show what it means to obey him in all things.  As a community we accept our covenant obligation to share in the discipling of our children and youth in church, home, and school.  Since God desires that we grow to full maturity, we believe that discipleship is a life-long process that involves all generations in the church.  The foundation for all Christian discipleship is the Bible, which we affirm to be the Word of God, fully reliable in leading us to know God and have life in Jesus Christ.

WITNESS
We believe that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on us to empower us to be witnesses for Jesus Christ in all the world and in every area of our lives.  Moved by our Savior's love for those outside of God's family, we long to share with them the good news that in the name of Christ there is forgiveness of sin and new life for all who repent and believe.  In a world estranged from God, this mission is central to our being and compels us to equip our members to participate in it.  As followers of Christ who serve him as Lord everywhere, we believe that we are like light in the darkness and like salt in a spoiling world.

SERVICE
We believe that our life and ministry should be characterized by the spirit of Jesus, who did not come to be served, but to serve.  As faithful stewards of our Master, we are ever looking for opportunities to serve God and our neighbors with offerings of wealth, time, and ability.  In deeds of compassion and justice on behalf of the needy and oppressed, we demonstrate what it means to live under the rule of a loving and righteous King.

PRAYER
We believe that prayer is the chief expression of our thankfulness to God and our dependence on him.  It is one of the greatest spiritual weapons in our warfare against sin and the devil.  It is our lifeline to the gifts of God's grace, power, healing, and comfort.  Knowing that the Lord is prepared to do far more than ask or imagine, we are committed to maintaining a vibrant prayer ministry in our personal and corporate life.

MISSION STATEMENT

In prayerful and grateful dependence on God, our mission is...

• to connect with each other through authentic community.
• to connect with God through awe-inspiring worship.
• to connect with a new way of life through comprehensive discipleship.
• to connect with the unchurched through personal witness for Jesus Christ.
• to connect with neighbors through just and merciful acts of service.
  
  THIRD CHURCH -- A GREAT PLACE TO GET CONNECTED!

VISION STATEMENT

Connecting people to Christ and his Community.