Core Values
Core values are the spiritual and ministry priorities of the church. They are the outcome of our statement of faith and form the “so what” to the doctrines that we hold. We don’t want to be in a position where we believe something but then take no action on those beliefs.
With humility and dependence on God, we admit that we “have not already obtained or have already become perfect” in how we are living out each of these values. However, we are pressing on – laying hold of Christ and seeking His power and provision in each of these areas.
Lost people matter to God. He wants them found.
Luke 19:10
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
From our closest family members to neighbors living in our own communities to people living on the other side of the world, our burden is to see lost people come to Christ.
What does this mean?
We are seeking to establish a strong local Gospel presence as well as provide prayer and financial support for our international workers (aka missionaries). People who attend FBAC represent at least17 different communities and our challenge is to find ways to effectively minister to as many as possible.
Prayer is the primary work of the people of God.
Philippians 4:6-7
“by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known to God.”
To borrow a phrase from our sister church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, “Prayer is not a prelude to ministry, prayer is ministry.” From the first days of the Church in the book of Acts to this very day, we know that God works through prayer.
What does this mean?
We are trusting the Holy Spirt will speak to us, not just about prayer, but about Jesus Christ, and about something He has for us as a church. We are trusting that as the Holy Spirit begins to stir in our hearts, His movement among us will become clear through our desire to know Him better and deeper, and that prayer will be the means by which God will bring it all about.
Everything we have belongs to God. We are His stewards.
1 Chronicles 14b
“…all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.”
In the divine economy of God, resources move from supply to need. Just as God supplies spiritual gifts for the strengthening of the church and the advance of the Gospel, He also supplies the necessary financial resources to and through the church.
What does this mean?
Faith Bible Alliance has no endowments, no trust funds, and no revenue generating activities. One hundred percent of FBAC ministry is funded by the faithful giving of congregation of the church. Accumulating wealth is not our goal. Gathering resources and investing them in ministries that help advance the Kingdom of God is.
Knowing and obeying God’s Word is fundamental to all true success
Joshua 1:8
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
The Word of God is our anchor of truth in a world that is quickly spinning out of control. Knowing and obeying the Word is a challenge and honor we take seriously. More than ink on a page, God’s Word is His written revelation to humanity and through His Word we come to know Him, love Him, and serve Him.
What does this mean?
We don’t want the word of God to be just an add-on supplement to human wisdom. We see the Scriptures as the foundation of all that we believe as well as the framework for how we carry out ministry in our context. As we acknowledge Him and the Word He has provided, we believe that He will guide our paths to truths, relationships, and ministries that please Him.
Completing the Great Commission will require the mobilization of every fully devoted disciple.
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…”
Some have said that “missions” is our middle name, after all we are the Christian and Missionary Alliance. On the one hand, we have a long history of supporting missions and missionaries. On the other hand, we want to be sure that missions and the work of the Great Commission is not just something done “over there.”
What does this mean?
We are seeking to go beyond just being able to recite the Great Commission. We want our entire congregation to discover and be engaged in the role God has for them in the work of the Great Commission. It doesn’t matter if that work is local or international, out in front or behind the scenes. We want to equip and mobilize people to be consistently engaged in an area of service that advances His mission.
Without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish nothing.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
“…my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”
The prophet Zechariah wrote a spiritual principle that applies to all of ministry and life: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.“ It debunks the notion that if we have enough money, enough people, and enough skill that God will guarantee our success. Truth is, no matter how well funded, staffed, or skilled we are, without the power of the Holy Spirit, our best planning will not produce the fruit that God desires.
What does this mean?
On the one hand, we don’t want to think that planning, organizing, and managing are the key to ministry success. On the other hand, we don’t want to “wing it” and then call it “trusting the Holy Spirit.” Through prayer and understanding the Scriptures (other core values), we want to be positioned to better discern where the Spirit of God is leading us and then follow Him into that place of ministry.
Achieving God’s purposes means taking faith-filled risks. This always involves change.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him..”
People don’t always like “change” and they definitely don’t like the word “risk.” Change makes us uncomfortable, and risk means the possibility of failure. And failure means we must have done something wrong. Afraid of failing, we sometimes opt to do nothing because we sometimes think that succeeding at doing nothing is better than failing at doing something.
What does this mean?
We understand that we live in a dangerous, chaotic, and unstable world. We also understand that most Christians prefer things that are safe, calm, and stable – especially at church. However, the very nature of sanctification, becoming more like Christ, involves change. New and unknown opportunities come, and we want to have the ability to discern the Lord’s will in these and take the steps walk with Him.