Our core values make up the acronym P.O.W.E.R.
- Prayer
- Outreach
- Worship
- Edification
- Relationships
These were the core values of the early church (Acts 2:42-47) and remain essential to the life of the church today.
The Core Value of Prayer
The church began with prayer
“They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:14)
“They devoted themselves to … prayer …” (Acts 2:42)
The church is sustained by prayer
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition…” (Phil. 4:6-7)
The church is protected and empowered by prayer
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests … keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
The Core Value of Outreach
The church is commanded to produce a product
“The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
“Go and make disciples of all nations …” (Matthew 28:19)
The church is commanded to be visible and active
“You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world … Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:13-16)
The Core Value of Worship
The early church immediately practiced worship
“… continuing with one mind in the temple … praising God…” (Acts 2:46-47)
It is through worship that we express our love and devotion to God
The greatest of all commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
We are commanded to worship; there is a transforming effect in experiencing the presence of God
“Come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker …” (Psalm 95:6)
Worship includes the corporate gathering, but it much more: worship is a lifestyle
“Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
The Core Value of Edification
The early church grew spiritually.
“continually devoting themselves to the Apostle’s teaching…” (Acts 2:42)
It is our goal at foothills to see every believer “built up” to their full potential as a follower of Jesus Christ.
“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28-29)
Spiritual maturity is our goal.
“…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.” (Ephesians 4:13)
We need to be people who want to grow up.
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word.” (Hebrews. 5:11-14)
The Core Value of Relationships (Fellowship)
The early church practiced close relationships.
“continually devoting themselves,…to fellowship…” (Acts 2:42)
A commitment to loving relationships holds the church together.
“And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)
To love each other is the second greatest command.
“Love your neighbor as yourself…”(Mark 12:31)
The proof of an authentic relationship with Jesus is that we love each other and this love is a testimony to the unchurched world.
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
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We believe that when we are all personally and corporately committed to these Core Values that the vision God has entrusted to us as a church will become a reality.
These Core Values are the navigational points that help guide our decision making as a church.
As we live out these Core Values, we believe the presence and power of God will be a reality in our midst.
