Values

THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST AND HIS WORD

The fountainhead of all is the supremacy of Christ and His Word.  The Bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.  Therefore, we must continue to make every effort to structure our church according to the biblical mandate.  We are not perfect, but we should always seek to conform ourselves according to God’s Word (Eph 2:19-22; Deut 4:2; 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; 1 Thess 5:19-22; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 1:1-2; 2 Pet 1:2-4; 20-21; Rev 22:19).

THE CENTRALITY OF THE GOSPEL

We trust in the power of the Gospel unto salvation (Rom 1:16; Heb 4:12; 2 Tim 3:14-15) and are therefore committed to faithfully preaching the Gospel with clarity.  We desire to see true conversion.  So we will constantly proclaim and explain the Gospel, and take our time with people struggling to understand what it means to trust and follow Christ (Rom 3:23; 5:8; 10:9-14; Eph 2:1-10; Matt 7:21-23; Lk 6:46; 2 Cor 13:5).  We seek to let our conduct commend the Gospel, rather than trying to attract people through worldly measures (Phil 1:27-30; 1 Pet 2:11-12; 3:1; 15-17; Matt 5:14-16).

CHRIST EXALTING WORSHIP

The New Testament has surprisingly little to say about worship styles.  However, one thing is sure, we are to engage in Christ exalting worship through praying, preaching, Scripture reading, singing, giving, honoring and obeying God (John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-20; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 3:16).

PRAYER

Prayer is an expression of both faith and humility in the Christian life and is vital to the health of GTCC or any church (1 John 5:14-15; Eph 1:16-21; 3:14-21; 6:17-20; Phil 1:9-11; Col 1:9-12; James 5:16; 1 Pet 3:12).

BIBLICAL COMMUNITY

The church is not a building, but a community of believers.  God has designed the body of Christ to minister to one another, to love and encourage each other, and to spur one another on to love and good deeds.  Therefore, it is imperative that each of us invest in building and strengthening relationships with one another that foster love, spiritual growth, unity, and mutual accountability (with a special sensitivity to widows, the fatherless, and single parents).  (Rom 12:3-18; Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35; 6:1-7; 1 Cor 12:7-26; Eph 4:1-16; 1 Tim 2:2; Titus 2:3-5; Heb 10:24-25; 13:17)

EXPOSITORY PREACHING

A steady diet of expositional preaching is the most effective way to build up the body of Christ. Preaching and teaching through books of the Bible will be the primary emphasis of this ministry (Deut 6:4-9; Ezra 7:10; Neh 8:1-12; Matt 4:4; 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 3:14-4:5; Titus 1:3, 9; Heb 4:12; 1 Peter 1:22-2:3).

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

God has called all believers to make disciples.  The Scripture uniquely calls the parents to be the primary disciplers of their children (Gen 12:8; Deut 6:4-9; Ps 78:5-8; Eph 6:1-4; 2 Tim 1:5; 3:14-15).  At GTCC we equip, empower, and expect parents to faithfully minister the Word to their children.

GREAT COMMISSION LIFESTYLE

Every believer is commanded to follow the Great Commission.  We value the unique giftedness and call of each believer to contribute to the Great Commission.  We will equip, encourage, and support individuals and families at GTCC to be missions minded, seeking the Lord for opportunities to influence the world for Christ, whether locally or internationally (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 4:12; 13:1-3; Rom 10:14-15).

BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD

God has given clearly defined roles to men and women in the home and in the church (I Corinthians 16:13-14; I Kings 2:1-3; Proverbs 31, 12:4; Titus 2:3-5; I Tim 5:14).  While these roles have come under attack in our culture, God has not changed.  We embrace, teach, and celebrate these distinct roles at GTCC.  We affirm The Danvers Statement.

AGE INTEGRATION

We minimize the division of families into age segregated groups.  We cherish the integration of ages and generations worshiping and learning together corporately.  We value the wisdom and unity that is fostered as generations minister to one another biblically (Deut 31:10-13; Ezra 10:1; Prov 13:20; Eph 6:1-4; Mk 10:13-16; 2 Tim 2:22; Titus 2:1-8).