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At our Deacons’ retreat a couple of weekends ago, we handed out a brochure designed to highlight our core values as a congregation:
Diversity
God made each one of us in the image of God and yet God made each one of us a unique person. There are no two of us exactly alike. We have different gifts and different experiences to share. We gather around one Lord, one cross, one empty tomb and there, each one of us is able to experience the grace we need. Our diversity allows us to more fully appreciate both the creative and redemptive activity of God in our world.
Community
One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the company of other people. In fellowship with one another, we experience the presence of Christ. As we share our lives together, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God and with one another.
Freedom to Worship
Worship is the high point of our life together. In worship, we offer ourselves back to God. God gives us life and salvation. Worship connects us to the life God intended for us and to the salvation God always offers to us. In worship, we enter freely into God’s presence to praise and glorify Him.
Acceptance of People
Jesus always seemed to have time for all kinds of people. With grace and compassion, He invited them to be His followers. As followers of the risen Christ, we seek to extend the invitation of grace and compassion to those who need it.
Respect for Individuals
We believe the calling to follow Christ and the calling to minister to one another are the same calling. God gives each of us the gifts that we are able to use in service to God’s kingdom and to one another. When we pray for one another, encourage one another, embrace one another, we are priests to each other.
Each of us is capable of hearing the voice of God in scripture and in prayer. In the same way, each of us is responsible to give voice to God’s leading in our lives.
Sharing Christ’s Love
We exist to share Christ’s love. Sharing with others the love that Christ has freely given to us is at the heart of who we are. With words and actions, we seek to share Christ’s love with all those who long to experience it.
One night a week or so ago, I was called to the emergency room of Park West Hospital. One of our members was being admitted. When I arrived at the Emergency Room, five of you were already there. I was not surprised.
Another day, in the morning, the phone rings. One of you is calling to let me know that one of us has been taken to the hospital. A few hours later, another one of you calls with the same information. I am glad.
There are some principles and some ideas which are important to us at Ball Camp Baptist Church. Those principles and ideas are never more evident than when we are demonstrating our love for one another. Thank you for being the kind of church where values are more than the contents of a brochure, but also the contents of our daily lives together.
Joy and Peace,
Ed
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