The Chapel - WHAT WE VALUE
Right from the beginning, we discovered that people who didn’t attend church gave as a major reason their conviction that the church had become outdated and irrelevant. We were convinced that the message of hope in the good news of Jesus can never become irrelevant. What had become outdated were some of the forms of the church. The ways we “did” church seemed to come from another generation, not ours. So we decided to update what we did with the intention of reaching our generation.
But what can change? Changing wrong things can be as dangerous as not changing at all. So the first question we asked was: What Can’t change? What we believe can’t change, our purpose can’t change, but neither can what we value. Our values are those guiding principles that have shaped who we are and what we do.
The Chapel Core Values
(10 things that can’t change)
First things first. Value of Prayer (John 14:12,13)
We don’t have to figure everything out for ourselves – in fact we can’t. We are dependent beings. Jesus promised we would be a part of his great mission, and see amazing things happen. But there was a condition – we needed to ask him. We encourage praying together as a part of every ministry of this church.
Teach with authority. Value of Biblical truth. (II Timothy 3:16,17)
Everyone coming to the Chapel is on a spiritual journey. Some are in an investigation mode; others have made following Christ a priority of their lives. Presenting what we think is not enough to answer the questions at any level. We need a higher authority. We believe the Bible is God’s word to us and it is foundational for everything we do and teach. We don’t assume that everyone knows the Bible, but we do assume when they come through our doors, they are open to exploring what it teaches.
Communicate to our culture. Value of cultural relevance (I Cor. 9:22,23)
We want to help people connect with God’s love and truth. We are committed to do anything we can to take the timeless truth of the Bible written 2000 years ago, and make it understandable and applicable to people who live in the culture of northern Ohio. This not only applies to the teaching in our weekend services and connections groups, but to how we present ourselves in all of our connections with people in our community.
Be real. Value of authenticity. (James 5:16)
Somewhere along the way church became known as a place where only people that are really good or pretend to be really good are welcome. But how are we going to change or help each other change if we don’t admit we need change? The Chapel is a place for people to be honest with each other, sharing our struggles as well as our victories.
Do life together. Value of community/teamwork (I Cor. 12:27)
We are more than just a group of people who meet on the weekends for an inspiring service, who know each other only at arms length. We want to know and be known, to love and be loved, to celebrate and be celebrated, to serve and be served. We do that when we become a part of a smaller group in which we care for each other and together care for others.
Healthy things grow. Value of process. (Hebrews 10:14)
We know who we want to look like – Jesus! But there is no such thing as instant Christ likeness. Growing results from doing the things that create a healthy environment in which growth can happen. If we do the right things, the right way, over a period of time, growth will happen – both personally and corporately.
Do the best you can with what you have. Value of excellence. (I Cor. 10:31)
We don’t believe in striving for unrealistic perfection. We do believe excellence is bringing your best to God’s work and to life in general. Whenever we do anything as a church we want to bring our “A game”. Whether it’s our communication and music, how we hold babies in the nursery or how we take care of our buildings, we want it to reflect this.
Let people know they matter. Value of hospitality. (I Peter 4:8,9)
People’s first impression of God comes through us. How we meet and greet them both in our church settings and in our everyday world will open or shut doors. A long time ago one of Jesus disciples told us to treat everyone with gentleness and respect. Another one said, “practice hospitality” – treat them with special care as valuable to God and to us.
Differences should not divide. Value of unity. (Ephesians 4:3)
There are many important issues which need to be discussed and understood as best we can. But there are a limited number of essentials, things that legitimately divide us if we do not agree on them. In the basic issues of our faith (see statement of faith), we need to come to agreement. In non essentials, we may agree to disagree, but in all things, we continue to love.
It starts with the heart. Value of humility. (Philippians 2:5-7)
Jesus said that the one who would be great must become the servant of all. To be effective in the work of the church, we must have the same attitude of Jesus Christ who though he was God, took the form of a servant. We are not doing what we do to please each other, or to gain applause. We will truly reflect Christ when we shine the light on him and each other, not on ourselves. |