They express how God has shaped us and who we sense God is calling us to be.
These are values that touch our hearts, stir our emotions and move us to action.

Worship is our foremost value. Worship is more than a core value; it is a way of life, not just a church service! It is a lifestyle that shifts our focus from ourselves to God. “Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering.” – Romans 12:1 We believe that the vibrant practice of personal and corporate worship is to be the ongoing life-expression of every believer. Celebrating the presence of God in our lives should be an important part of every Christian’s daily life. Ephesians 5:18-20; Psalms 95:1-2, Psalms 100, Philippians 4:8-9,Mark 14:3-9; John 4:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We recognize the inherent value of prayer to discern God’s vision for His people and His church. We also recognize that when God’s people pray, God works and where God works, transformation happens. Therefore we seek to cultivate an environment of prayer because God’s intent is that believers – both individually and collectively – remain in close communication with Him. God has chosen prayer to be a vehicle by which He changes people and the world. Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:16-18

We believe that God has chosen to reveal his nature and will to us through the Bible, and that God’s words are perfect and absolutely trustworthy. Therefore our teaching and preaching is Biblically-based seeking to communicate its truths in practical and applicable terms. Clear biblical teaching is the catalyst for life transformation and that ongoing life-change happens best in small groups. We hold Scripture as the final authority. 2 Samuel 22:31, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 7:24, 2 Timothy 3:16, Luke 6:12-13, Acts 2:44-47

We believe that God has created individuals with an innate need for community, a desire in all of us to have real authentic relationships with others. We also believe that life change happens best among friends – both new and old. Therefore, we believe in “Doing Life Together”.
Here at ELCC we will seek to provide the environment and opportunities for this to take place. Life change occurs best when one can love and be loved, know and be known, and share where one is on their spiritual journey in the context of an authentic, safe group of people.John 13:34-35, Acts 2:44-47 (NIV); Romans 1:11-12, 14:13, 14:19, 15:5-7, Ephesians 4:2-3; 4:16, 1 Peter 3:8

A non-ministering Christian is a contradiction of terms. At ELCC, we teach that every Christian is created for ministry (Eph. 2:10), saved for ministry (2 Tim 1:9), called into ministry (1 Peter 2:9-10), gifted for ministry (1 Peter 4:10), authorized for ministry (Matt. 28:18-20, commanded to minister (Matt. 20:26-28), to be prepared for ministry (Eph. 4:11-12), needed for ministry (1 Cor. 12:27), accountable for ministry, and will be rewarded according to his or her ministry (Col. 3:23-24). Biblical Christianity uses everyone’s gifts. We also believe that Ministry is best accomplished in teams. 1 Corinthians 13, Nehemiah 3, Luke 10:1, John 13:34-35

We believe that all people matter to God, and therefore, ought to matter to the church. (Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14) We believe that proclaiming personal salvation in Jesus Christ is the task of all believers. We desire that Christ-like compassion for the lost will motivate our thinking, speech and actions as we express the love and truth of Jesus Christ.Matthew 18:14; 28:18-20, Luke 5:30-32, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Real followers of Jesus grow. We believe Christians are to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, becoming more like Christ in every area of their lives. We encourage reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, committed study and application of the Bible, prayer, serving according to giftedness, sharing resources, and loving others, all for the glory of God.Proverbs 2:1-11; 3:5-6, Acts 2:42, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 3:14-21