1. Outreach and Serving Others
At Truth Ministries, we try to create a contagious and fulfilling love for serving people in need. This value is very important to us because most of what Jesus did was not in a church setting; it was in homes, in the streets, and in many hostile places. We understand that before we can lead, we must serve. Christ sets this example for us to follow in Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”. We serve our community through many different ministries. Some of these ways include our community service work program, our food pantry (which targets mostly elderly and disabled people), our resale store, the community use of our gymnasium, our free community dinners, helping people in need, and visiting/praying for the sick. Although we don’t always see the impact on the lives we touch, we know seeds are being planted and roots are being spread out through our area. Serving our area through outreach shows that we are an extension of God’s love to many people who don’t know Him.
2. Accurate Biblical Education
Our church is non-denominational and is independent of any forced or pre-determined doctrine. We strive to only follow the most accurate of doctrinal beliefs, while leaving the traditions to a minimum. It’s neither our personal experiences nor our church past but it’s the Word of God that drives our entire belief system. With so much emphasis on good works, spiritual gifts, legalism, and rituals, it may be difficult to value the most important part of our Christian faith – learning the Bible! In Romans 10:17, we read about the direct connection between knowing the Bible and growing our faith; “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Since this is true, we put a strong emphasis on teaching the stories and writings of the Bible. We explain the Bible in its cultural context in order to understand what God wants us to learn from it in today’s life. As we learn more, our faith grows proportionally. Since Biblical education is such an important part of a committed life to Christ, it only stands to reason that one of the Holy Spirit’s greatest gifts to us is to impart the perfect Word of God into our human understanding (John 14:26). In turn, we will be better equipped to represent Christ to the lost in a supernatural and effective way (Acts 1:8).
3. Accountability
Accountability seems to be a dying virtue in many churches today and may account for such a decline in American church morality. Although we get no pleasure in bringing correction to the people we care about, we find that it is a necessary part of our Christian growth as evident in the 1st century church. We also find that accountability is commanded by God in several places in scripture. Galatians 6:1 tells us – “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” If we love people and we see them making choices which will bring about a destructive end, then we MUST hold them accountable for their actions in a loving way. Supporting sinful behavior does not define God’s love in 1st Corinthians 13:6 – “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” The world only loves people enough to see them happy, but the church should love people enough to see them get to heaven. Accountability is often what separates society’s definition of love from God’s love. Ministry leaders at Truth are held to a higher standard of accountability as they represent God from a greater platform.
4. Discipleship
Discipleship is a core value of ours because we understand that the church was created to multiply. Jesus spent over 3 years discipling 12 men so that they could create disciples after He was gone. Our goal is to do the same thing here at Truth. It’s not enough to just present the plan of Salvation and see someone make a decision for Christ. We need to help the spiritual transformation of a new believer as they go from worldly minded to Godly minded. Romans 12:1-2 tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Truth Ministries makes strides to create a culture and a non-stop cycle of creating disciples for Christ within the church. This discipleship comes through attending church services, mentoring, Biblical education, living as a positive example, many different small group studies, serving others, and through encouraging a life of prayer and intimate worship.
5. Unity
We value unity at Truth Ministries because it is our witness to the lost (John 17:20-23). If unbelievers or new Christians see our church members engaging in gossip, slander, racism, badmouthing and negativity towards others, then they will either never return or they will assume it is acceptable church behavior. Instead, we strive for a loving family environment where we rejoice with one another in the good times, and we grieve with one another during the hard times. We believe in creating unity between age groups as well by engaging in each other’s lives. It is our goal at Truth to make everyone we meet feel the love of Christ by our church members even when we disagree. We desire to create an atmosphere of a united church body. By doing this, we show our community what the family of God looks like. Anything divisive or slanderous is unwelcome.
6. Godly Families
At Truth Ministries, we value God’s design of family. It begins with a loving, committed marriage of a man and a woman. We strongly believe that a married person’s first love should be God, but their first ministry is to their spouse. This is backed up by the fact that their spouse is the only person in which God makes them one with! Husbands and wives are encouraged to minister together as a team. We do our best to encourage our members to never let there be an option for divorce, but rather put God first knowing that He can restore all things. In addition to marriage, we strongly value a Godly family as it pertains to raising children. Children are to be loved and provided for, both physically and spiritually. Again, ministry leaders at Truth are expected to display these family values as an example to the rest of the church. This is based off of Paul’s instructions to Timothy in chapter 3, verse 5. “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?”
7. Intimate Worship
Intimacy with our Creator is a core value of ours because God deserves it! We were created to give God honor and glory. 1st Chronicles 16:23-24 tells us. “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” We take this value seriously in every part of our church service as well as every ministry we’re involved in. Prayer, worship music, our tithes, our obedience to God’s Word, and our genuine love for Jesus’ sacrifice is the cornerstone of our church. As a church, we try to create a personal lifestyle of worship in