What Are Emmanuel’s Values And Convictions?

We value God’s Word: We will immerse ourselves in the Scriptures not merely for the sake of information but with the goal of application and transformation (Ezra 7:10; Neh 8:8; Acts 17:11; Col 3:16; 1 Tim 4:12-16; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:16; 4:2; Jas 1:21-22). As D.L. Moody said, “God did not give us the Bible to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

We value biblical discipleship: We will challenge believers to abide in Christ (John 15:4-5; 1 John 2:28), persevere in faith (1 Cor 9:24-27; Heb 12:1-3), and grow to maturity (Rom 8:29; Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:28) in their fellowship with God and in the sacrificial stewardship of their time, talents, treasure, and relationships (Luke 19:11-27; 1 Cor 4:1-5; 2 Cor 5:10).

We value dynamic worship: We will strive to cultivate an environment, which leads people to worship God with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement (Pss 96; 100:2; John 4:23).

We value Christian friendship and accountability: We will seek to meet, greet, and link guests with the goal of assimilating them into healthy relationships (Prov 27:17; Acts 2:42-47).

We value vibrant ministry to children, teens, and families: We will prioritize reaching and teaching children and teens (Matt 18:1-5; 2 Tim 2:2) because we believe that is where the harvest is especially ripe (Matt 9:37) and they are the future church. We will also provide training, accountability, and encouragement for those who have the responsibilities of spouses, parents, and grandparents (Deut 6:1-7; Eph 5:22-6:4; Col 3:18-21; 1 Pet 3:1-7).

We value devotion to prayer: We will seek to be a church that is characterized as a “house of prayer for all the nations” (Mark 11:17; Acts 1:14, 24; 12:1-19; Eph 6:18-19; Col 4:2-3; 1 Thess 5:17).

We value strategic outreach and missions: We will encourage our corporate body and individual members to tell family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers about Christ (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Rom 10:14-15; 15:20-21; 1 Cor 9:15-23; Col 4:3). We will also educate and exhort our body to reach their sphere of influence and invest in what God is doing among the unreached and the persecuted church (Matt 5:10-12; Gal 6:10).