These values find their source in God’s Word. We desire to commit ourselves to them irrespective of our circumstances. These values will determine all that we do at Calvary and will describe all that we care about.

“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

I. Calvary Values Worship that Glorifies God                 Back to Top

II. Calvary Values Living By Grace          Back to Top

We believe God’s complete acceptance of us is based solely upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. This means that we never need to win God’s approval or persuade Him to love us. We value the truth that through Christ we are God’s adopted sons who are infinitely loved, delighted in and cherished. We need never fear God’s condemnation or rejection of us. We value the truth that God is working in us to grow us in holiness to resemble the likeness of His Son and that this process of maturing is made possible through dependent faith. We do not live from our own strength or resources but draw solely from the divine power of God given to us freely through His Son.

III. Calvary Values Truthful, Clear, Spirit-filled Preaching, Teaching and Discipleship
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The foundation for all that we teach and believe is found in God’s Word. We are committed to the historic Reformed faith summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. We desire to reach the heart through teaching that is empowered by God’s Spirit while avoiding dead orthodoxy. The goal of our instruction is to know God, to do His will, and to become like Him. In all our teaching the Gospel of Grace is central.

IV. Calvary Values Dependent Prayer.    Back to Top

We believe prayer must accompany everything we undertake as we look to God in the same way a child looks to His father, persistently, expectantly and in the security of His love. We value relying fully upon God and His resources rather that our own abilities, plans or efforts.

V. Calvary Values Authenticity    Back to Top

We value a church where people are not afraid to be truthful about the issues of the heart even our sins because God’s approval of us through Christ gives us this freedom. We value communicating what’s in our hearts so that we avoid hypocrisy or the wearing of masks. We believe that sincerity and genuineness lead to loving and secure relationships. We encourage meeting with people rather than spreading rumors or harboring grudges.

VI. Calvary Values Embracing Others in Love      Back to Top

We believe that our response to those we come in contact with should be one of welcoming love and impartiality rather than prejudice. Our desire is that our acceptance of others will be a reflection of God’s acceptance of us.

VII. Calvary Values Living For Others     Back to Top

We believe that just as Jesus Christ came to earth not to be served but to serve so we must live for others. We value immersing ourselves into the lives of others by reading what they read, listening to what they listen and doing what they do. We learn about their complexities and problems in life so that we might be able to minister the Gospel to them. We cannot withdraw from our community, region and world, but infiltrate it in order to bring healing to the sin and brokenness that exists. This also applies to the ministry of mercy, which is undertaken towards those who are in distress, in need, friendless or sick. We desire for the Gospel and the love of God to transform our natural focus on self into an active concern and consciousness for those around us. The Gospel will transform our hearts to be others centered.

VIII. Calvary Values Community   Back to Top

Our bond of unity found in Christ expresses itself in community and fellowship. We all need and even long for relationships in order to grow in faith and counter the private individualism our society exalts and promotes. A primary way in which Calvary will express this is through Community Groups. These groups consist of 8-12 members where worship, prayer, fellowship, Bible study and outreach are practiced. These Community Groups provide a place where its members are naturally cared for, leaders are developed and outreach is manifested. Christ’s living presence is central to each group.

IX. Calvary Values Every Member Ministry     Back to Top

Calvary will not be clergy driven but her members will be the ministers who fulfill the work of the Gospel. Our Reformed roots were responsible for removing the hierarchy that existed in the church and returned much of the responsibility and privilege of ministry into the care of laity. For Calvary, this will mean discerning the gifts of the members, making sure every member is actively involved and training each member to fulfill their specific role (Eph. 4:11-12).
 
X. Calvary Values Weekly Communion    Back to Top

We do not desire frequent observance of the Lord’s Supper as an attractive ceremony or empty ritual. Rather we understand this sacrament to be a true sharing or participation in the body and blood of the Lord. We believe along with Calvin and our Westminster Standards that in the Lord’s Supper believers who partake by faith are spiritually feasting upon Christ so that their souls are truly nourished and strengthened. Although an important part of the Lord’s Supper is to remember Jesus’ death as payment for our sin, we reject Zwingli’s view that the sacrament is exclusively a memorial. We believe that along with remembering we are also spiritually eating and drinking our Savior. Therefore, the more we celebrate the Lord’s Supper the more often we are nourished by Christ Himself.

XI. Calvary Values the Planting of Churches     Back to Top

We value the furthering of the Gospel in the lives of new believers through the planting of daughter churches. Calvary has had a primary role in the planting of three churches since it’s inception in 1922. Studies show that the best way to reach the lost is through a new church being planted in a community where there is little or no Gospel witness. We will encourage church planting through funding, through training men to plant churches, and by asking church members to form a core group that would evolve into a church plant.