About > Vision, Mission, and Core Values
Vision
Growing together in Christ, making disciples in Carroll County and around the world (Matthew 28:18-20).
Mission
Our goal is to reach Carroll County and the world with the Gospel of Christ and to make mature disciples. We will do this by:
- Submitting to the authority of God's Word in every aspect of our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16 - 17)
- Cultivating a deeper love for Christ through emphasizing individual and corporate prayer and worship offered in Spirit and truth. (Mark 12:30, John 4:24)
- Encouraging and equipping believers to intentionally follow Jesus with the goal of becoming like Him. (Matthew 4:18 - 22, Ephesians 4:12 - 13)
- Building a biblical community that emphasizes Christ-like love (care and accountability) in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group relationships. (Hebrews 10:24, John 13:35)
- Challenging believers to grow in their desire and ability to share the Gospel with others by promoting community outreach both individually and corporately. (Acts 1:8)
Core Values
Christ is our Head
Collectively, Christians are part of a living organism -- the Body of Christ, which is the Church -- with Jesus Christ as the head. As such, all that we are and all that we do is centered on Him.
We recognize that our identity is not based on what we do, nor on how we feel, nor in human relationships; instead, it is completely determined by our relationship with Jesus. We focus on giving Jesus the first place in our hearts and ministry, intentionally seeking His will in all that we do.
We recognize that our identity is not based on what we do, nor on how we feel, nor in human relationships; instead, it is completely determined by our relationship with Jesus. We focus on giving Jesus the first place in our hearts and ministry, intentionally seeking His will in all that we do.
Heart Attitude
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” (Mark 12:30) This commandment encompasses all aspects of our personality, and it requires us to prioritize God’s glory in all that we think, say, and do.
All of life’s activities -- especially ministry -- are to be conducted by giving our very best offerings from our hearts, our minds, our bodies, and our possessions. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:22-24)
We strive for excellence while recognizing that we are all on a growth journey. We encourage those who are giving their best and challenge those who can do better to greater love and good deeds. We seek to match each person with areas of giftedness. Persons serving in areas outside of their giftedness will be lovingly redirected to appropriate areas of service.
All of life’s activities -- especially ministry -- are to be conducted by giving our very best offerings from our hearts, our minds, our bodies, and our possessions. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:22-24)
We strive for excellence while recognizing that we are all on a growth journey. We encourage those who are giving their best and challenge those who can do better to greater love and good deeds. We seek to match each person with areas of giftedness. Persons serving in areas outside of their giftedness will be lovingly redirected to appropriate areas of service.
Word-based
God’s Word is the ultimate authority in our lives. We strive to live in obedience and submission to God’s revealed Word -- the Bible. Our lives ought to reflect biblical principles in action. We regard the Bible as a roadmap for life. We take an expositional approach to preaching and teaching in order to reveal meaning and truth.
Spirit-led Dependence
The Spirit of God actively teaches us, applying His Word to real-life situations and leading us to make wise and spiritually informed decisions individually and corporately. This teaching can occur only when we are in a right relationship with God. We must intentionally be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and neither grieve nor quench Him whom indwells us. The Holy Spirit will not contradict God’s Word; instead, it will lead us to fuller understanding of its application and into taking risks that may not appear wise by human sight alone.
“The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11) God does not call us to live blindly, but He does call us to live by what we cannot necessarily see. This type of living can happen only when we are led by the Holy Spirit. God has historically used people and churches who are “leaning forward in the saddle” to advance His Kingdom. We desire to be this kind of church.
“The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11) God does not call us to live blindly, but He does call us to live by what we cannot necessarily see. This type of living can happen only when we are led by the Holy Spirit. God has historically used people and churches who are “leaning forward in the saddle” to advance His Kingdom. We desire to be this kind of church.
Prayer is Essential
Prayer is an essential means to accomplish God’s will. It lays the foundation for any and all ministry. Though we certainly cannot bind God to do whatever we want, we are empowered to seek His will through humble and earnest supplication, followed by obedience. We support all His ministries with prayer.
Transformed Lives
We believe that at the point of salvation a new life is born within us. We are new creations in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Thus begins a lifelong journey of being conformed into the image of Jesus himself. All Christians have this conformed image as their final destination – though it will not be completed in this earthly lifetime. It is a work of God.
We also believe that we have the ability either to cooperate or not to cooperate with the changes God wants to make within us. Therefore, our teaching, preaching, and interactions are aimed at the heart rather than at surface appearances. The change begins within us and grows outward, not vice versa.
We are not interested in self-improvement as much as God-improvement. Rules, regulations, and religiosity do not lead to lasting change. Only the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God within the context of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can accomplish this. We encourage and enable individuals to grow in their journey with Jesus, which is how we define success.
We also believe that we have the ability either to cooperate or not to cooperate with the changes God wants to make within us. Therefore, our teaching, preaching, and interactions are aimed at the heart rather than at surface appearances. The change begins within us and grows outward, not vice versa.
We are not interested in self-improvement as much as God-improvement. Rules, regulations, and religiosity do not lead to lasting change. Only the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God within the context of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can accomplish this. We encourage and enable individuals to grow in their journey with Jesus, which is how we define success.
Every Believer is a Minister
The Body of Christ is made of many parts, each contributing to the well being of the whole. (1 Corinthians 12) Each of us has been given at least one spiritual gift, which means that each of us has a ministry for which we have been designed. Only when we all are ministering with the gifts we’ve been given can the whole Body function well.
We see our church as a community or a family. We best fulfill our goal of discipling others when each family member is performing his or her God-given role (ministry) within the Body.
We see our church as a community or a family. We best fulfill our goal of discipling others when each family member is performing his or her God-given role (ministry) within the Body.
Envisioning
Though each believer has been gifted, we recognize that none of us has arrived at our final (perfect) state and that many of us have yet to understand what our role and giftedness is. For this reason, we see each other not only for who we are now, but for who we can become in Christ. We strive to see people the way that God sees people.
We seek to identify an individual’s spiritual giftedness and to encourage and equip them to become what they were created for. We look to identify an individual’s uniqueness and seek to stimulate his or her giftedness. For this reason we intend to provide ongoing training and development in the areas of recognizing and learning to use spiritual gifts. The learning and growth process never stops.
We seek to identify an individual’s spiritual giftedness and to encourage and equip them to become what they were created for. We look to identify an individual’s uniqueness and seek to stimulate his or her giftedness. For this reason we intend to provide ongoing training and development in the areas of recognizing and learning to use spiritual gifts. The learning and growth process never stops.
Intergenerational Discipleship
The Church's mission is making disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20) As such, our goal is to pass the torch to the succeeding generation. Traditionally, the Body of Christ has struggled in this arena, but Titus 2, Deuteronomy 6:7, and Ephesians 6:1-4 make clear the priority of discipling our children.
Churches traditionally segregate discipleship by age, depriving younger generations of the wisdom and experience of the elder generations; meanwhile, the elder misses the energy and enthusiasm of the younger. Further, children’s ministries isolate kids into age-specific peer groups through twelvth grade. As a result, upon graduation, young adults typically drop out of church involvement or have no strong connection to the church Body at large.
We recognize the developmental stages of learning and the need for age-specific discipleship, and we strive to meet those needs; however, we also see the need for inter-generational discipleship and ministry. We intentionally schedule events, teaching, and ministry that bring diverse age groups into cooperation and interaction with each other.
Churches traditionally segregate discipleship by age, depriving younger generations of the wisdom and experience of the elder generations; meanwhile, the elder misses the energy and enthusiasm of the younger. Further, children’s ministries isolate kids into age-specific peer groups through twelvth grade. As a result, upon graduation, young adults typically drop out of church involvement or have no strong connection to the church Body at large.
We recognize the developmental stages of learning and the need for age-specific discipleship, and we strive to meet those needs; however, we also see the need for inter-generational discipleship and ministry. We intentionally schedule events, teaching, and ministry that bring diverse age groups into cooperation and interaction with each other.
Small Groups
Small groups are central to building a Christ-like community. They exist to study God’s Word, to worship our Lord and Savior, to disciple one another, to call each member to accountability, to encourage, and to care for each other.
We firmly believe in the value of full-church gatherings on Sunday mornings; however, interpersonal ministry is best accomplished in smaller, more intimate settings. As believers, we are called to be intimately involved in the lives of others. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Small groups are the means of fulfilling this biblical directive. We desire to provide both a church home and a small group home for each of our brothers and sisters so that each can be loved, cared for, and supported in a practical way.
We firmly believe in the value of full-church gatherings on Sunday mornings; however, interpersonal ministry is best accomplished in smaller, more intimate settings. As believers, we are called to be intimately involved in the lives of others. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Small groups are the means of fulfilling this biblical directive. We desire to provide both a church home and a small group home for each of our brothers and sisters so that each can be loved, cared for, and supported in a practical way.
Outreach
In order to make disciples, first we must reach unbelievers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus told His disciples to be witnesses for Him “in Jerusalem, and Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We uphold this as the model for the Church today. We are called to reach the world for Christ, beginning in our own community.
We ought to be in God’s service -- not His secret service. As followers of Christ we must be bold and clear in bringing the Gospel to Westminster and Carroll County. We cannot merely exist here for years, making little or no impact in the community, and call ourselves successful followers of Christ.
We recognize that our church building is not located in a residential section of Westminster. However, our membership hails from all over Carroll County (and beyond), giving us an inherent mandate to reach the whole county (and beyond!) for Jesus Christ.
Because it is unreasonable to expect unbelievers to come to us, we must go to them. We do this by serving the community and by providing opportunities for individuals to hear, to understand, and to respond to the Gospel.
Jesus told His disciples to be witnesses for Him “in Jerusalem, and Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We uphold this as the model for the Church today. We are called to reach the world for Christ, beginning in our own community.
We ought to be in God’s service -- not His secret service. As followers of Christ we must be bold and clear in bringing the Gospel to Westminster and Carroll County. We cannot merely exist here for years, making little or no impact in the community, and call ourselves successful followers of Christ.
We recognize that our church building is not located in a residential section of Westminster. However, our membership hails from all over Carroll County (and beyond), giving us an inherent mandate to reach the whole county (and beyond!) for Jesus Christ.
Because it is unreasonable to expect unbelievers to come to us, we must go to them. We do this by serving the community and by providing opportunities for individuals to hear, to understand, and to respond to the Gospel.
Missions
Spreading the Gospel around the world must be supported, encouraged, and multiplied by the local church. We support missionaries in foreign lands financially, relationally, and with prayer. We strive to know our missionaries personally and to support them in any way we can.
The most effective means of reaching a people group with the Gospel is from the inside. For this reason we intentionally seek to partner with missionaries who are reaching their own people. We provide prayer, encouragement, and resources to further their efforts.
Because we live in a culture very different from the rest of the world, we see great value in short-term missions trips. We recognize that the impact of a two- to three-week trip may be limited on the surface; however, encouragement for the local missionaries and the excitement and exposure for our own members make these journeys a vital part of our own discipleship.
We seek to sponsor at least one short-term trip each year.
The most effective means of reaching a people group with the Gospel is from the inside. For this reason we intentionally seek to partner with missionaries who are reaching their own people. We provide prayer, encouragement, and resources to further their efforts.
Because we live in a culture very different from the rest of the world, we see great value in short-term missions trips. We recognize that the impact of a two- to three-week trip may be limited on the surface; however, encouragement for the local missionaries and the excitement and exposure for our own members make these journeys a vital part of our own discipleship.
We seek to sponsor at least one short-term trip each year.
Conclusion
Our passion is to grow together in Christ, making disciples in Carroll County and around the world. These core values outline the practices that we hope will make us successful disciples and disciplers, and they serve as a guide or map for our journey -- taking simple steps of obedience. God has a plan for our church, and this is how He is leading us to fulfill that plan. Our God is a God of change -- changing hearts and lives for His eternal purposes. We invite you to join us in making a difference in the name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.