Core Values at Grace
Grace over Judgement
Bible over Opinion
We value extending God’s mercy to those around us, forgiving, restoring, and welcoming. While there is a place for discernment and critique, even this must be done in a spirit of gentleness and love.
Worship over Self
We value elevating God to first place in our affections and living a life that honors him. We express our love for God together on Sunday mornings, but we also strive to fill each day with a focus on God instead of a preoccupation with ourselves.
We over Me
We value the community of life shared together with other believers. We strive to develop close relationships with other Christians to share in all the struggles and joys of a life lived in service to Christ.
Participating over Spectating
We value the active ministry involvement of all those who are part of our church. We aim for everyone to discover and employ their gifts to serve Christ both within our church and in the community.
Mission over Comfort
We value engaging in Christ’s mission to make disciples of all nations, a command which means our concern is not just Grand Rapids, but the world. We seek to continue our legacy of strong missionary service and support, joining in the work of God all around the world.
We value learning what God has revealed to us in the Bible, our highest authority in life. We seek to rightly understand and obey God’s message to us in this time, and to speak with great conviction where the Bible is clear and with caution where the Bible is less clear.
Transformation over Stagnation
We value a continual process of discipleship, where we all strive together to be more like Christ and to not be satisfied with the same old us. We seek to grow together in personal spirituality, as well as in obedience to all Christ has commanded us.
Giving over Getting
We value sacrificial generosity in making use of the resources God has entrusted to us. We seek to leverage our time, finances, and skills to provide for others when they are in need and to make opportunities for the message of Christ.
The Next Generation over My Generation
We value investing in those who will come behind. We seek to mobilize every generation to invest in children and youth to help raise them in the faith and give them a solid spiritual foundation.
Outward over Inward
We value serving our community in areas of need, aligning our church as a whole with the posture of Christ who came not to be served but to serve. We desire to bless Grand Rapids by our presence and to take the message of Christ outside of our doors and into the community.