Our Guiding Principles

 

  • We will be grounded in and tied to the Scriptures
    • Rationale:  The Scriptures (The 66 books from Genesis to Revelation) are breathed out by God and are the Christian’s measure for living (II Tim 3:16). While written by men, they are ultimately written by God (II Pet 1:20-21), and their testimony is the foundation upon which the house of God is built (Eph 2:20-22).
  • We will be Christ centered and Spirit led
    • Rationale: The Apostle Paul informs believers that all things have been created through and for Christ (Col 1:16). Along with this Jesus himself says that He will send a helper, the Holy Spirit, who “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26). These verses are representative of what Christianity is, looking to Jesus, led by the Spirit.
  • We will seek unity amidst diversity, recognizing the unique value of each individual and the diverse backgrounds we come from.
    • Rationale:  One of the earmarks of the Christian movement is its ability to bring people from different walks of life together under one ‘roof’ to celebrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42-47; 6:1-7; 8:4-8 & 26-40; 10:1-11:18; 15:1-35; Romans 9-11; I Cor 8:7-13; I Cor 12-12-31; Eph 2:11-22; 4:1-7; Phil 4:2-3; I Tim 5:1-16; Philemon; Heb 10:24-25; James 2:1-7 etc…).
  • We will create things that are sustainable
    • Rationale:  While there is evidence in the scriptures for flexibility and quick thinking that meets needs (See Acts 8:26-40; 6:1-7), there is a strong case to be made for a general theme of stability that allows for consistent growth for the covenant community of God (see the Temple and Land paradigms in OT and the general structures in the church; especially in I and II Timothy, I Titus and Ignatius’ letter to the Ephesians). For this reason, while we put the gospel and its mission in a place of ultimate premacy, we will act in a way that allows sustainability in what we create.
  • We will seek vibrant and passionate ministry expressions that are representative of our church body and allow for edification of the whole as much as is possible. 
    • Rationale:  As the local church is a body (I Cor 12:12-31) and is to be unified (Eph 4:1-6), each ministry expression within the church ought to seek to build up the whole. As spiritual gifts are given to build up the church (I Cor 14:12), so ought all of the locales where such gifts are used seek to build up the church.
  • We will celebrate servant mindedness and humility
    • Rationale:  In imitating Christ (Phil 2:4-8) and listening to His teaching (Matt 18:1-7; Luke 14:12-14; 18:9-14) Christians ought to adopt the attitude of John the baptist, “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30).  
  • We will do what is right
    • Rationale: Integrity matters. We will seek to act in a God-honouring way in all things we do, striving to act in a way that is appropriate for Christian witness (Gen 4:8; Lev 19-20; Prov 16:11-13; Luke 3:10-14; 1 Pet 1:16).
  • We will recognize the radical grace Jesus has extended to us and will extend it to each other and those around us.
    • Rationale:  The gospels are full of accounts in which Jesus extends grace to those who least deserve it (Matt 8:1-4; 9:1-7; 15:21-28; John 41-45 etc.). The Apostle Paul reminds us that, “it is by grace we have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph 2:8-9). Because God has been gracious to us, we will be gracious as well. 
  • We will seek the good of Dawson Creek
    • Rationale: While Israel was in exile in Babylon, the prophet, Jeremiah, wrote to the exiles instructing them to seek the good of the foreign land in which God had placed them (Jer 29:4-9). The Apostle Peter picks up on this theme in his first letter (1 Pet 1:1-4) referring to believers as ‘elect exiles of the Dispersion’. As Israel was to seek the good of the foreign land God had placed them while in exile, Peter’s reference to believers is instructive: they are to seek the good of the spiritually foreign land in which they have been set.