Purpose & Values

GROW

SERVE

REACH

Vision is like the picture on the cover of a puzzle box: it’s a picture that defines what could exist when all of the puzzle pieces are arranged. Even though it's still going to take time and effort to put it all together, the "big picture" makes the job easier and provides some context and direction for moving forward. Friendship Community Church's "big picture" purpose is to help people take the next step in their relationship with God by encouraging them to continually GROW in love with God & others, joyfully SERVE them, and intentionally REACH out to others and help them to take their own next step. We have 11 key principles that are the "puzzle pieces" that define who we want to be and how we take steps toward getting there. They are:

We Are Moving Forward on Our Knees – We have to start somewhere: let’s start on our knees in prayer. We’re going to need lots of prayer to accomplish the vision that we believe God has for our church and community.
- John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
We Exist to Make Jesus Known – On any given Sunday, the majority of our community is not in any church. We’re not okay with that. We want to make it hard to get to hell from Mt. Juliet & Hermitage
- Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
We Communicate in Relevant Ways Because Jesus Is Relevant – We will do whatever it takes to remove unnecessary barriers that are keeping people from knowing Christ. We’ll work to present the unchanging gospel in the context of our constantly changing culture.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19,22 – For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more... To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
We Are Known for What We Are For – We want our community to be better because we are in it. We will lift up the salvation of Jesus rather than using our platform to condemn. We’re not cause-centered – we’re Christ-centered.
- Jeremiah 29:7 – “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
We Must Partner with Parents to Impact the Next Generation – No one has more potential to influence a child’s relationship with God than their parents. No one has more potential to influence the parents than the church. We have to work together to make a difference.
- Deuteronomy 6:5-7 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
We Are Externally Focused – We can change the world by serving & loving one person at a time. We want to show Jesus’s love to people when they least expect it and least deserve it. We’re igniting a Servolution.
- Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
We Must Be Present to Win – God is never too busy or preoccupied to be with us: He is always present and available. We can only communicate Jesus’s love to our city effectively by being present and available in a hands-on way.
- Jeremiah 22:15-16 – “He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.
We Lead the Way in Generosity – We will go above and beyond to give sacrificially to the work of God in our city. We are blessed to be a blessing. It simply isn’t possible to out-give God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 – Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
We Expect the Unexpected – We aren’t limited by our resources, abilities, or ideas. To impact a city with the gospel of Jesus, we can’t think small. We will set impossible goals, take bold steps of faith, and watch God move. When Jesus is involved, anything can happen.
- Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We Fill Our Lives with the Bible – We refuse to be educated beyond our level of obedience. We know that simply reading the Bible doesn’t change us – it’s the application of the Bible through the power of the Holy Spirit that changes lives.
- James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
We Are Authentic – We are honest about our next steps because none of us have ‘arrived.’ We will be a place where people can be real and feel safe. Perfect people need not apply.
- John 13:35 – “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Purpose & Values

We Are Moving Forward on Our Knees – We have to start somewhere: let’s start on our knees in prayer. We’re going to need lots of prayer to accomplish the vision that we believe God has for our church and community.

We Exist to Make Jesus Known – On any given Sunday, the majority of our community is not in any church. We’re not okay with that. We want to make it hard to get to hell from Mt. Juliet & Hermitage

We Communicate in Relevant Ways Because Jesus Is Relevant – We will do whatever it takes to remove unnecessary barriers that are keeping people from knowing Christ. We’ll work to present the unchanging gospel in the context of our constantly changing culture.

We Are Known for What We Are For – We want our community to be better because we are in it. We will lift up the salvation of Jesus rather than using our platform to condemn. We’re not cause-centered – we’re Christ-centered.

We Must Partner with Parents to Impact the Next Generation – No one has more potential to influence a child’s relationship with God than their parents. No one has more potential to influence the parents than the church. We have to work together to make a difference.

We Are Externally Focused – We can change the world by serving & loving one person at a time. We want to show Jesus’s love to people when they least expect it and least deserve it. We’re igniting a Servolution.

We Must Be Present to Win – God is never too busy or preoccupied to be with us: He is always present and available. We can only communicate Jesus’s love to our city effectively by being present and available in a hands-on way.

We Lead the Way in Generosity – We will go above and beyond to give sacrificially to the work of God in our city. We are blessed to be a blessing. It simply isn’t possible to out-give God.

We Expect the Unexpected – We aren’t limited by our resources, abilities, or ideas. To impact a city with the gospel of Jesus, we can’t think small. We will set impossible goals, take bold steps of faith, and watch God move. When Jesus is involved, anything can happen.

We Fill Our Lives with the Bible – We refuse to be educated beyond our level of obedience. We know that simply reading the Bible doesn’t change us – it’s the application of the Bible through the power of the Holy Spirit that changes lives.

We Are Authentic – We are honest about our next steps because none of us have ‘arrived.’ We will be a place where people can be real and feel safe. Perfect people need not apply.

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