Simple Church Values

From liking to loving others

John 13:34-35 — "Love one another... by this everyone will know that you are my disciples."

Christianity is not about curated relationships but about cruciform love. The digital age has trained us to perform and present. But the way of Jesus calls us to authenticity, to move from superficial interactions to deep, sacrificial love. The Spirit produces a community of inconvenient, cross-bearing friendships where love is not a feeling but a daily choice.

From Knowing About Jesus to Following Jesus

Luke 9:23 — "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

We’ve discipled people into knowledge, but not necessarily into obedience. Information does not equal transformation. Maturity means apprenticing under Jesus, walking in His steps, and obeying His commands. This shifts us from attending church embracing the role of embodying the church.

From Observing to Embodying

1 Corinthians 12:27 — "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

The church is not a place or platform. It is the presence of Jesus among His people. When we reduce the church to a building and performance, we rob people of their God-given role in the body. Embodying the Church means actively participating in the priesthood of all believers. It’s not a spectator event but a Spirit-filled body on a mission (the Missio Dei). 

From Events to Life Together

Acts 2:42-47 — They devoted themselves… breaking bread in their homes… with glad and sincere hearts.

This isn’t just about doing things together; it’s about doing life together. The early church wasn’t built on weekly services but on daily life. The kingdom family is formed in social settings, living rooms, during prayers, with kids, and at meals. We can’t grow spiritually unless we’re connected through relationships. 

From Performing to Forming

Romans 12:2 — "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Church gatherings aren’t a show; they are a space of formation. The purpose of believers coming together is not for entertainment but for spiritual transformation. This shift moves us from simply consuming religious goods to becoming more like Christ (the Imago Dei).

From Programs to Intentional Friendships

2 Timothy 2:2 — "Entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others also."

Discipleship isn't mass-produced; it’s handcrafted. Jesus didn’t run a program; He invested His life in people. Intentional friendships become the pathway for formation, multiplication, and kingdom growth. Discipleship is about life-on-life relationships, not just content on a screen at an event.

From Bearing the Load to Sharing the Load

Ephesians 4:11-12 — "To equip the saints for the work of ministry."

The pastor is not a one-person show or spiritual superhero. Biblical leadership multiplies. It equips. The Spirit gifts the entire church, not just the professional few. This approach decentralizes authority and raises up disciples who lead and serve. Ministry belongs to God's people.

From Dependence to Release

Hebrews 5:12-14 — "By this time you ought to be teachers…"

Teaching isn’t just for consumption; it’s for empowerment. The goal of biblical teaching is to raise disciples who, in turn, become disciplers of others. We shift from passive consumers to active teachers and disciple-makers. True teaching doesn’t create dependency but fosters maturity.

From Contributing to Missional Living

Matthew 6:21 — "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Generosity is not just about giving to the church, but about living for the kingdom. This value redefines giving as a way of life rooted in surrender and abundance. Missional generosity extends beyond just meeting budgets to blessing neighborhoods, supporting missions, and helping the poor. It’s about open-handed, missional living as the body of Christ for the benefit of others. 

From My Church to God’s Church

Matthew 16:18 — "I will build my church…"

We are not building personal empires but stewarding Christ’s body. This shift moves us away from tribalism and branding toward joyful submission under the lordship of Jesus. The church is not mine or yours; it’s God’s. This reframing guides everything we think and do.