RADICAL HOSPITALITY: Hospitality is the firm foundation of sharing God’s unconditional love, grace and mercy with this world. A hospitality that is “radical” is one that proactively reaches out, not passively sits and waits to respond. Jesus sought out the fringe and fractured edges of society, welcoming conversations and encounters with people who were considered taboo in his day. He was excited to show love to many unlovable people who had huge conduct, character or credibility issues in the eyes of culture, which is what we strive to do also.
PASSIONATE WORSHIP: Worship that is “passionate” describes encounters that are by design, on-purpose and long-anticipated. Jesus told us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). In worship – where we yield, open, and offer our lives and honor to God – God transform us, heals our wounded souls, and renews our hope.
INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Intentional means planned, calendared, committed, desired and envisioned! Our target as disciples is to do everything we can to engage our bodies, souls, minds and spirits to become fully conformed to the character and conduct of Jesus Christ. Developing our faith means investing our lives in the habits and disciplines that shape our lives for heaven’s glory: feasting on God’s word, breathing prayer constantly, giving generously, serving regularly, forgiving graciously, and giving thanks continually!
COURAGEOUS MISSION AND SERVICE: To be on mission and serving is to operate from the heart of the Father’s love for all. While mission and service can come in the skin of projects, programs, initiatives and relationships, everything is done for the joy of Knowing, loving and serving God. To be “courageous” in this life of servanthood ministry is to take risks outside of our comfort zones. God is wanting to stretch us into loving connections with other people we may not know or be like and to encounter needs we may ourselves be unfamiliar with.
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY: Perhaps more than any other character attribute, the practice of Extravagant Generosity showcases the heart of the Father who is all about giving His highest and best for us. To be generous is to be selfless. To be generous is to be moved and motivated to enjoy adding value to other people’s lives. Generosity, in a Christian stewardship context, is all about the desire and deep satisfaction that comes from investing our lives in the things of God. Deploying our time, talents, treasures and testimonies for the Lord’s purposes is the will of the Father, and doing those things with a great sense of excited joy, partnership, and fulfilling adventure is to show “Extravagant Generosity”.