Our Core Values

We talk a lot about our purpose here at Lighthouse: "To be a Christ-centered community active in producing more and better disciples." The purpose tells you why we exist and what we are here to do. Core values are different. They are the guiding principles for how we will accomplish our purpose and mission. You might define them as the guiding principles of our church, the essential and enduring ways in which we approach ministry.

The following then are the constant, passionate, biblical core beliefs that drive the ministry at Lighthouse Christian Center.

Christ's Headship

We acknowledge that Christ is the head of the church, and we submit ourselves to Him. Our job is to find out what Christ wants us to do and do it, staying in tune with Him at all times.  (Ephesians 1:22-23;  John 15:1-8)

Biblical Teaching

We value God's inspired Word as His authoritative book for all believers. We will preach and teach the Bible and be faithful to its teachings. We believe that anointed teaching is a catalyst for the transformation of people's lives. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Worship

We value worship that leads people into the presence of God. We desire to create personal and corporate opportunities where God's people can express love to the Lord and respond to His presence. (Deut 6:5; Ps 29:2; Rom 12:1-2; John 4:24)

Prayer

We value prayer because God desires his people to pray, and He hears and answers prayer. (Matt 7:7-11; James 5:13-18)  We desire that the ministries of the church will be characterized by a reliance on prayer in their conception, planning and execution. We further desire that Lighthouse be a place where people's needs are met in prayer.

Sense of Community

We value Christian community. We desire that the people of Lighthouse commit themselves to participating in Care Communities and other small groups where they can develop friendships, care for each other, learn God's Word, exercise their spiritual gifts, grow in their faith and reach the lost (Acts 2:44-46).

Spiritual Growth

We seek to help people grow spiritually by encouraging growth in biblical knowledge, Christian character and Christian practices. As people grow, we will begin to encourage them to develop the five purposes of every believer: worship, discipleship, service, evangelism and fellowship (Colossians 2:6-7; Mark 1:17).

Excellence

We value excellence in ministry. We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people. Therefore, we will encourage evaluation, critical review, intensity, and excellence. (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6-14; Prov 27:17)

Lay Ministry

We value the work of the ministry accomplished by nonvocational workers. We view everyone at Lighthouse as a minister and that each one has a particular SHAPE for ministry. We believe that the primary responsibility of pastors is to "prepare God's people for the works of service" (Eph 4:12). Therefore, as much as possible, the ministry of Lighthouse Christian Center will be placed in the hands of lay ministers. This will be accomplished through training opportunities and through practices which encourage lay initiation, leadership, responsibility and authority in the various ministries of the church.

Team Leadership

We believe that Lighthouse should be led by men and women with leadership gifts. We value servant leaders who provide strategic focus and intentionality to the ministry. We also believe in collaborative leadership; people working together as teams, forging unity out of diversity (Nehemiah 1-2; Romans 12:8; Acts 6:2-6).

Spiritual Gifts

We believe that Lighthouse should operate as a unified community of God's people who understand and use their spiritual gifts. We believe that all the gifts listed in the Scriptures continue to be a valid and important part of the Lighthouse community. We encourage the people of Lighthouse to be open to all that the Spirit of God desires to do in and through them (1 Corinthians 12 and 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4).


Healthy, Loving Environment

We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. We believe that the people of Lighthouse should extend grace to each other while urging one another on in the faith. We believe that a warm, friendly atmosphere in every venue of the church-from our Community Groups to weekend services-brings honor to the Lord and shows respect for each person. We believe that the people of Lighthouse should manifest authenticity, valuing transparency over appearance. (Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; James 2:1-4)

Lost People

We believe lost people matter to God, and therefore, ought to matter to the church. Therefore, the church will value and encourage relational evangelism and evangelism as a process so that the people of our community might be reached for Christ. In addition, we believe that Lighthouse should be supporting missions both at home and in other countries. We believe that God wishes us to reach as many people as possible with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. (Luke 15; Matthew 18:14).

Church Expansion

We believe that churches should grow and reproduce themselves. We desire to follow God in planning for and planting new churches and/or venues as He directs (Acts 8:1-21:16).

Relevance and Innovation

We value communicating the good news of Jesus Christ to our culture in ways it can understand. Therefore, we will adapt and change our forms and methods in order to stay relevant to those we serve, without compromising biblical absolutes (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Family

We value strong families and seek to provide an atmosphere which strengthens marriages and families. We support the spiritual nurture of the family because it is one of God's dynamic means to keep each person spiritually and emotionally healthy. Families consisting of a husband and wife, a husband and wife with children, single-parent families and single adults of all ages each have value. We are also committed to strong youth and children's ministries. (Colossians 3:18-21; Deut 6:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-6:4)

Trusting and Obeying God in the Area of Finances

We value the stewardship of God's money. We will use God's money to fund and support the ministry to which He has called us. We believe that Lighthouse can trust God alone to bring in necessary finances. We also believe it is our responsibility to be fiscally responsible with God's money; that we should live within our means and do the best we can to limit debt (Matthew 25:14-30; Proverbs 22:7).