Our Values

Mission:

Partnering with God in the renewal of all things to bring Memphis and heaven together.

Vision:

To cultivate communities that encounter Jesus' power, embody Jesus' person, and extend Jesus' presence to our neighborhoods, our city, and beyond.

1. Jesus-centered

Our ultimate value is an unwavering focus on Jesus Christ and the whole message of the gospel at the center of who we are and all we do as expressed by vibrant worship and a life lived for him.

This isn't merely a theological tenet, but rather the heart of who we are and the guiding principle for everything
we undertake. We are committed to an unreserved centering of our entire lives on Jesus, recognizing that genuine renewal in every facet of our being flows directly from His continuous presence. This profound
relationship with Christ finds its natural and vibrant expression in fervent, authentic worship that glorifies His name, and in a life lived solely for His honor and purposes. He is the beginning, the middle, and the end of our
story – the lens through which we interpret the world, and the source of our hope, joy, and mission.

2. Wholeness

Our commitment to partnering with God in the healing and restoration of our whole being (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual) such that individuals, communities, systems, our city, and all of creation might be renewed.

We believe that God's work in humanity is profoundly wholistic, not confined to merely one aspect of our being.
He is actively engaged in the whole person – our physical bodies, our intellectual capacities, our spiritual core, and our emotional landscapes. This comprehensive work is rooted in His redemptive plan to renew His world. Just as sin distorted every facet of human existence and creation, the gospel brings about a full restoration. He isn't just saving souls for an ethereal future; He is transforming us now, from the inside out, so that we might become agents of His grace and participate in the tangible renewal of our communities and the world around us. This means that true spiritual formation impacts how we think, feel, act, and even how we care for our physical selves, all contributing to God's ultimate purpose of making all things new.

3. Empowerment

Our commitment to equipping God’s people for the work of ministry in the power of the Spirit to build us, draw us toward Christ, and bring about the renewal of God’s world together.

We believe that the distinction between “clergy” and “laity,” where the former represents God to the latter, is
artificial. Instead, we believe that all of God’s people have direct access to him, and are called to be givers and
receivers of his grace to and from each other. Therefore, we will create environments where we encounter God
as he works in the community through the gospel to produce transformation, growth, and development in and
through his people. We do not encounter God through religion or through the hierarchy of the church. We
encounter God through Jesus who is at work in people and dwells in our community.

4. Oneness

Our celebration of the rich tapestry of God's kingdom in which we are shaped
by diverse expressions of race, ethnicity, generations, genders, family systems,
and other differences within our community and throughout God’s world.

To usher in God's kingdom on earth, the church must become a welcoming community that embraces all people,
celebrating every facet of their God-given identity. This does not mean expecting minority cultures to
attend and adapt to a dominant culture. Instead, we will innovate forms of Christian community that invite all
peoples to have a voice and shape our community. To this end, we will strive to maintain diversity in leadership
and to seek forms of worship and polity which facilitate this diversity.

5. Freedom

Our commitment to live in the freedom of transparency and integrity in our relationships with God and others to be truly known and loved.

We deeply value the profound freedom we experience in Christ. This isn't just an idea; it's a transformative
reality that liberates us to live with radical transparency and integrity. In the gospel, we are free to be our
authentic selves before God, unburdened by shame or pretense. This freedom extends to our relationships with
each other as well. We are committed to being a confessional community, a safe and trusting space where
we can find deep belonging as we openly share our lives, our struggles, and our victories. In doing so, we more
fully experience the reality that God delights in us as his own, shaping every aspect of who we are and what we
do.

6. Dependence

Our wholehearted trust in God's sovereign power and presence encountered
through prayer and surrender to His Spirit to accomplish His purposes.

We believe God has invited us to a life of utter dependence on Him, recognizing that our strength and resources
alone are insufficient. We commit to taking Him at His word and stepping out in faith, fully confident that He
will keep His promises and do great things. This dependence is profoundly expressed through prayer, as we
consistently seek His guidance and empowerment. We desire to always be in a place where if we don't claim His
presence and fully rely on His magnificent power, we will undoubtedly fail. This isn't a fear of failure, but a
profound trust that His Holy Spirit will empower us to do what we cannot, ensuring His glory is evident in every
endeavor.