Our Core Values are:
Biblical, Kingdom based principles of our church life that we consider to be non-negotiable. These values guide our life together and represent a practical out-working of our Christian faith. They help us in relationships with each other and guide our priorities.
A Worshipping Community:
‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need’ Matthew Ch.6 vs.33 NLT.
Above all else we should first be seeking to worship and bring glory to God. Through prayer, praise and obedient service we will endeavour to seek God’s will in all we do, thus resulting in a closer relationship and greater intimacy with him.
A Spirit-filled Community:
‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.’ 1 Peter ch.4 vs.10 NLT.
We want to be able to recognise gifts of the Holy Spirit and encouraging each other to use them for the glory of God and the extension of his kingdom here on earth. Acknowledging that this is an on-going process and that we all need to be filled daily so that the Holy Spirit comes before our human spirit.
A Loving Community:
‘So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the word that you are my disciples’ John ch.13 vs. 34-35 NLT.
Everybody in our Church family can be expected to be loved unconditionally, always in every circumstance, with no exceptions. Love means accepting people the way they are and putting each others needs before our own. We should be welcoming to all as everyone is unique in what they have to offer. The emphasis of our ‘programmes’ or ‘projects’ as a church should always be to build relationships – be that with each other or the wider community.
A Discipling Community:
‘Jesus called out to them ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him.’ Matthew ch.4 vs19-20 NLT.
We want to be a community that grows in faith together, supporting each other on the journey from the first questions of faith to the complex challenge of understanding and gaining knowledge. This includes being accountable to one another, being vulnerable with one another, being forgiving towards each other, loving one another, and sharing personal testimony; so that each individual can become firmly rooted, continually maturing in their faith.
A Missionary Community:
‘Jesus came and told his disciples. I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Matthew Ch.28 vs. 18-20 NLT.
‘For God so loved the world’, not just Belvedere. We should always be mindful of our brothers and sisters across the nations, building relationships with them that will encourage, support and bless them as they live and spread the Good News in difficult circumstances. We will actively encourage and gladly release those of our fellowship that want to go and serve in this way, offering practical support as we are able.
A Responsible Community:
‘For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.’ Proverbs ch.2 vs. 6-11
We should be careful, not wasteful. This includes being good stewards of the planet, our finances, our buildings and our possessions, always recognising that everything we have comes from God and should be used for his glory. Temporal things can be used for eternal value.
| Our core values are closely linked to the core values of the Baptist Union and are values we seek to following, not only on a Sunday, but during the week wherever God has placed us. Click Here to see the core values from the Baptist Union. |  |