Every church has a set of values, principles and philosophies that tells you what is important to that church. These should be present in the everyday procedures and decisions within that church or organization. We believe the church that Christ is building should adhere closely to the divine values and principles as seen in the written Word of God. We have core values and principles that directly support the vision and mission God has revealed to NEW COVENANT. We are committed to these values and desire that all who embrace the vision embrace the values and principles also.
WE VALUE GOD'S WORD.
We believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word, the authoritative and trustworthy rule of faith and practice for all Christians from which comes our Tenets of Faith. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2:15)
WE VALUE GOD'S MANIFESTED PRESENCE THROUGH BIBLICAL PRAISE & WORSHIP.
To enjoy God’s felt-realized presence is our passion as a church. We believe there is a presence of God available to God’s people as they follow the Biblical order of worship as seen in the Psalms and birthed in the Tabernacle of David in the Old Testament. Within this belief is the concept that we as believers are to be spiritual priests who offer up spiritual sacrifices to God. One of the primary sacrifices is the “fruit of our lips” or our audible worship given to God. Biblical worship is spontaneous and demonstrative and is characterized by the Biblical expressions of clapping, shouting, singing, dancing, lifting hands, bowing and kneeling. (Psalms 22:3; Hebrews 13:15)
WE VALUE THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVITY.
Both in our personal and corporate life as believers, we welcome the moving of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the gifts of the Spirit enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 are not only for today, but should be desired, sought after and evidenced in the church. It’s our mission to see every person functioning in their gifts and callings. If there was ever a time that these gifts were needed, it is today. We do not believe that these gifts were only for the early Church 2000 years ago. They are to be a part of the Church right up to the return of Christ for His Bride. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of our basic belief system. (1 Corinthians 12:1 -14:39; Ephesians 4:16)
WE VALUE THE LOCAL CHURCH.
We believe that the Church which began with great power and anointing fully functioning as God’s instrument in the earth went through a period of serious spiritual and doctrinal decline through the Middle Ages. Since the days of Martin Luther, God has been in the process of restoring the Church to her former glory and power. We believe that God is focusing on building the local church in these days. While we all recognize and understand that the larger Body of Christ encompasses all believers, every believer must find himself or herself in right relationship to God and to a specific local church. We believe that the extension of the Kingdom of God is the function and ministry of the Church. The Church, which is composed of both Jew and Gentile, is God’s instrument in the earth to establish God’s rule and His reign. The Church is the instrument; the Kingdom is the message. If the Church is going to fulfill its God-given calling, it must reclaim its primary function of bringing the lost to Christ and extending the borders of God’s kingdom until the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 60:1-5)
WE VALUE GENEROUS GIVING.
NEW COVENANT is a church that is committed to the giving of tithes and offerings. A tithe in the Greek and Hebrew means a tenth. We believe God wants us to be faithful stewards over all that we have, and a good steward knows that all their money and possessions belong to God. Giving a tenth is saying, “Lord, I’m not addicted to it. It doesn’t have me. I have it.” We believe the tithe is the Lord’s, and goes into the storehouse where you’re being fed. Offerings are above the tithe and goes where the Lord directs you. We believe that we are to not only meet the spiritual needs of people, but also doing whatever we need to do as a local body to wisely meet the natural physical needs of people; not only to assist those in our church family with needs, but to also reach out to be a channel of blessing in our community in many different ways. We will always be generous in our giving to special speakers, our fathers in the faith, and to missionaries and those ministering overseas. If we sow bountifully, we will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6-10; Malachi 3:8-12)
WE VALUE FAMILY.
We believe that at the same time God is restoring His Church, He is also restoring the natural family to its proper place and function. God is turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. God is in the process of healing marriages, strengthening parents and teaching men and women more about their God-given roles. He is doing this because He wants to use a godly seed in this generation to rise up and destroy the works of the wicked one. Such a prodigy will need to be parented by those who understand God’s purpose and have kingdom priorities established in their life. We express this commitment in our strong emphasis on family in preaching, teaching, available counseling, standing with and supporting families who choose any of the following ways to educate their children: public schools, Christian schools, and home school. (Jeremiah 31:1; Malachi 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:2; Ephesians 6:1-4; Proverbs 22:6)
WE VALUE THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY.
Not conformity but unity of spirit and principle. Unity may express itself in a variety of ways but still maintain the same principles and convictions so as to flow together in accomplishing vision. We believe that we as a local church should be inclusive and actively seek to include all peoples of all races, ethnic origins and social and economic standings. The Church of Jesus Christ is a multi-ethnic group that has within it the seeds for demolishing the scourge of racial prejudice. God’s purpose is to make all people into one for the glory of God. We will unite and fellowship with other Pastors and churches in our region to see John 17 fulfilled, realizing we cannot do the job by ourselves. We need each other to successfully bring in the harvest. (Psalm 133:1-3; John 17:1-26; I Corinthians 1:10)
WE VALUE THE HOLINESS OF GOD.
Holiness is not legalism that is measured by outward looks, but is a true cleansing of the believer by the power of the Holy Spirit that is evidenced in Christian character and conduct. (1 Peter 1:14-16)
WE VALUE FERVENT PRAYER.
The voice of prayer is heard as we pray out loud together in our home prayer groups and pre-service prayer times. This principle of prayer is believed to be the motor or powerhouse to our church life. Individual praying and fasting and prayer for the whole church are absolutely essential if the Church is to succeed. The New Testament Church was birthed in prayer, it continued steadfast in prayer and bathed all of its activities and ministries in prayer. In fact, when the Bible labels the Church or the House of God, the label it gives it is “a house of prayer for all nations”. If that is the name that God has chosen for His house, prayer should be a major focus of the Church. Prayer is a pipeline through which the Spirit moves. (2 Chronicles 7:14; James 5:16; Isaiah 56:7)
WE VALUE EXCELLENCE.
We believe God deserves the best we have to offer; therefore we seek to maintain a high quality of excellence in everything connected to the work of God. (Exodus 31:1-3; Colossians 3:23)
WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS.
To love and accept one another unconditionally is our goal as we endeavor to make this practical through interacting in one on one relationships, as well as small groups called Prayer Groups, men and women’s Bible studies and accountability groups, where every believer is encouraged to develop deeper relationships with other believers that result in encouragement and accountability. We will guard our hearts and commit to not allow offenses to linger. “The person who knows, goes” philosophy – being quick to ask forgiveness, forget, and move on!
WE VALUE GODLY CHARACTER.
There is no substitute for godly character in the life of the believer. We hold this value in highest esteem and filter all other values through this one. Integrity, uprightness, trustworthiness and transparency are our best foundation stones. We believe character is more important than charisma. (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:6)
WE VALUE RAISING UP & RELEASING LEADERS.
We believe that five-fold ministers are to be servant leaders that equip and release every member of the local congregation to function in their God-ordained ministry. Our constant goal is to raise up leaders who will become lay ministry as well as others who will become church planters, and missionaries to the nations. (Ephesians 4:11-16)