Working Draft--Core Values

Core Values:

Strong Families: Strong families are built on strong marriages, and Severn River Church is committed to upholding marriage and family as an integral part of worship and faith. ( Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:21-33; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-4)

Cultivating Community Connection: Our focus should never rest on ourselves, but should rather be focused on the world around us. We are about mobilizing Christians into the harvest field. We view the community around us as a mission field. We should be striving to answer the question, “If Severn River Church stopped existing tomorrow, what would our community miss?” It comes from this connection with the community that we establish a platform for spiritual influence and significance. (Acts 2:47; Matthew 9:35-36; Matt. 5:13-16; Acts 17:22)

Living Life together: The Christian culture set up by Christ was a life-together approach to discipleship and growth. Jesus chose 12, sent out 72, and baptized 120 in the Holy Spirit, but nothing was scripturally accomplished alone. We commit to Living Life Together. No hypocrisy, just real life lived together in relationships that spur us on toward Christian Growth and commitment to the mission. (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Luke 10;

Expansion Over Conservation: For the sake of the lost, when presented with an opportunity of saving or spending for ministry, spending will be the priority. When faced with the option of giving people resources or hording our people, we will send them out with blessing and with as much support as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:9-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Galatians 6:7-10; Luke 12)

Grow larger by growing smaller: We will invest in small groups especially in leaders and an ongoing emphasis on raising new leaders. Small groups embody the foundational principles for each believer: 1. Community, 2. Transformation, 3. Leadership Development. While these three principles are foundational to all our ministry, they are amplified in the small group experience. (Ex. 18; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2; 2 John 1:10)

Church Without Walls: This means that buildings must not serve to keep us from the lost world around us. Buildings present problems for the value of Expansion Over Conservation. Buildings cost to build, cost to use, and cost to maintain. That’s why we would prefer to use rental facilities. It’s all gonna burn anyway, when Christ returns. (1 Peter 2:5; Acts 2:42-47)

Mission-driven Creativity: Rather than depending on programs, we will be driven in creativity to only implement ministries specifically designed and evaluated for effectiveness in line with our mission. (Gen. 1-2; Acts 17:22-31)
Every member ministry: Each member of Sever River Church will be expected to contribute to its mission and ministry. We will educate and empower each SRCer for effectiveness in line with their gifting and our mission. (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16; Romans 12)

Growth: (Maturity and Multiplication) We believe that God has called us to be a growing church. As the vine dresser, God sets us up for a harvest of souls, however not every branch produces. We are committed to growth. Growth occurs in healthy churches we will be dedicated to health and a strong connection to the vine of Jesus Christ. We will use this as a key indicator of the strength and progress of our ministry.(John 15; Luke 13:6-9; )

Missions: We are committed to Missions on a local and world level. SRC should make it a priority in our giving individually and organizationally that we support foreign missionaries, and well as plant new churches in our local area. (Philippians 15-19; John 4:34-38; Matt. 28:18-20)

Giving/stewardship: Because this is a clear principle of scripture for every individual but has organizational implications we affirm that Tithing is the expected practice Severn River Church. As we tithe we allow God’s blessing for our church financially and spiritually. For us to abstain from obedience in giving is an act to close the windows of blessing from heaven. In addition to tithing we are responsible to give with cheerful hearts out of love. In addition to the expectation of each member it should also be the practice of the financial board to Tithe our undesignated tithes and offerings to missions. (Matt 6:3; Malachi 3; Heb. 7; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 20:35)