A Little About Our Values ......

Biblical Authority
 

We believe God has spoken to us through the Scriptures.  The Bible, therefore, is our ultimate authority.  (Psalm 19:7-14; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)
 

Intimacy with God
 

We believe that whole-hearted devotion to Jesus Christ is the biblical norm for the believer.  This should be expected of and encouraged by every believer in the church.  We believe God desires an intimate relationship with every believer.  Through prayer, meditation, worship, and Bible study we can pursue and achieve intimacy with the Father. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; 14:25-33; 2 Corinthians 5:15)
 

 

Great Commission Focus

 

Jesus’ command to His church was to take the gospel message to the ends of the earth.  It is our strong conviction that God has called SOG to be a church with a passionate commitment and focus to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation.  We desire to be a passionate missions-oriented culture committed to training and sending missionaries into the strategic spiritual strongholds of the world.  We intend to be focused not on ourselves, but on those who don’t know Christ, have never heard the gospel, and don’t have a local church they can attend or a Bible in their language to read.  Our passion is to engage in strategic Kingdom work in order to reach the least reached places of the world with the gospel of Christ.  We don’t believe the task of missions is to be delegated to boards or other parachurch organizations.  The church (SOG) is to be at the very heart of God’s plan for the nations, a Great Commission hub bustling with mission activity!  (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)
 
   

Relevant Environments
 

We believe our role is to create environments that are conducive to the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people.  A relevant environment combined with competent leadership will allow us to connect with our audience.  We believe that while the truth of God’s Word never changes, the culture in which we are called to apply these unchanging principles of truth is ever changing.  Therefore, we must strive to understand our culture and minister the truth of God’s Word in the most effective way possible, even if this means laying aside some of the man-made traditions of the church.  We seek to be innovative and flexible, as long as we do not violate Scripture.  (1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 10:33-11:1)

 

Intentional Mentorship

 

We believe that every believer is responsible for passing along to others the knowledge, skills, and opportunities for service that God, through others, entrusted to them.   (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:2)
 

 

Grace Emphasis

 

We believe in emphasizing God’s unconditional acceptance and full forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  We strive to create a climate of acceptance in our church and attempt to motivate people through love and grace rather than guilt, shame, or duty. (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-8)
 

 

Relational Evangelism

 

We believe it is the responsibility of every believer to be actively engaged in sharing Christ by both words and actions with non-believers in their sphere of influence.  We believe that evangelism centers around a willingness to befriend and build relationships with “outsiders.”  Our responsibility is to be faithful in showing God’s love to the lost through caring relationships and to be ready to share the gospel with them as the Holy Spirit gives opportunity.  (1 Corinthians 10:33; Luke 15:1-32; 19:10; 1 Peter 3:15)
 

 

Strategic Service

 

As gifted members of the Body of Christ, each believer is responsible for exercising his or her gifts in tandem with other members of the body.  We believe that everyone in the body of Christ has been uniquely designed to serve God.  We do not believe ministry is solely the responsibility of the church staff.  Rather, we believe that it is the responsibility of the church corporately to equip, encourage, and actively help the individual believer find the place God desires him or her to serve.  It is not enough to exercise spiritual gifts.  Maximum impact is contingent upon a coordinated, strategic exercise of gifts in the body.  (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:8-11)
 

 

Authentic Community

 

  

We believe accountability, care, and a sense of belonging are critical to balance and progress in our spiritual journey.  These three things are best achieved within the context of a small group of like-minded, relationally-connected believers.  We believe life-change best occurs in a small group context.  Our desire is that every person at SOG experience authentic community through our LIFESTREAM ministry.  (Romans 12:10-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:24-25)
 

 

Servant Leadership

 

  

We believe that Christ is ultimately the only Head of the local church, but He has chosen to function through human leaders.  These leaders must meet the biblical qualifications of leadership.  They must have godly character, biblical vision, and influence.  We believe leadership must be team leadership if it is to be biblical and effective in our culture.  But, we also realize that this team of leaders must be led by a visionary leader of leaders.  Leadership must model the leadership of Christ in that it is both strong leadership and servant leadership.  We believe, therefore, that the church should be led by a strong servant team of leaders and this team should, likewise, be led by a strong servant leader of leaders. (Luke 22:26; Acts 6:2-5; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-11)
 
 
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