Our values are expressions of the underlying nature and character of our church. This list of core values is neither Scripture itself nor our statement of belief but is our attempt to explain the activity we believe God wants us to be about as we conduct our mission and seek to realize our vision.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

~ Galatians 5:1

1. We value gathering together for praise and worship, to express our adoration, joy, and devotion to Jesus Christ our Saviour through singing, communion, prayer, preaching and fellowship.

Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:24-25; Psalm 95:1-2; Ephesians 6:18; John 16:24.

2. We value inspired biblical teaching, believing the Bible to be the foundation for our faith, useful for teaching what is true and relevant to the common needs of all people at all times.

1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 4:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:23-25.

3. We value prayer, believing this connects us to the heart of God and enables us to carry out His will and purposes. Therefore, in all ministries, activities, and planning of this church, we will seek God’s wisdom, will and blessing through prayer.

Luke 18:1; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

4. We value community, believing that as we love, care for, and respect others in an environment of grace, acceptance, and forgiveness, we model Gods love towards us.

1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 18:15-17.

5. We value every member ministry, understanding that to mean that each believer has God given spiritual gifts and natural talents to discover and use for their own benefit and for the benefit of others.

Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12 & 14.

6 We value leadership and believe that our church should be led by those with leadership gifts and that our leaders should be honoured and respected.

Acts 6:2-5; Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

7 We value evangelism, believing that we have been called to go into the world and make disciples, sharing with others the love, forgiveness and grace of God that we have experienced through Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 15; John 3:16; 17:21; Acts 8:4; 20:27.

8 We value discipleship, understanding that growth in Christlikeness is the definition of maturity. Therefore, we will seek to empower and equip believers for ministry and encourage regular personal bible reading and prayer as catalysts for Christian growth.

Acts 2:44-47; 5:42; Colossians 1:9-12, 28-29; Hebrews 5:12-14; 2 Peter 1:5-11.

9. We value excellence (doing the best with what we have), believing that this honours God and inspires people.

Exodus 35:30-35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17.

10. We value financial giving as a biblical principle, believing it is an expression of gratitude for our salvation and the means of support for the work of the local church.

2 Chronicles 31:10; Matthew 6:19-21, 24; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 9:6-11; 1 Timothy 6:17-20.

11. We value family relationships where all ages are catered for, marriage is celebrated, and single-parent families are supported.

Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:14-15; Matthew 21:15-16; James 1:27.

The foundational teachings of Life Church Timaru are reflected in the following clear statements of faith:

1. The Holy Bible

The Holy Bible, and only the bible, is the authoritative Word of God. The Scriptures of the Old and New

Testaments as originally given were infallible and inerrant and were given by inspiration of God and are the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

(see Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

2. God

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit, distinguishable but indivisible. These three are co-equal and co-eternal.

(see Genesis 1:1,26; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 2 Corinthians 13:14: 1 John 5:7)

3. Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the Cross for humankind and, thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.

(see Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Philippians2:5-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 3:16)

4. Incarnation of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity was incarnated through the virginal conception 1 thus fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Isaiah. He was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the second person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore He is the Son of God.

(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 23-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:14)

5. Redemption

Humanity was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, it fell. Humanity’s only hope for

redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

(see Genesis 1:26-31; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21)

6. Regeneration

For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

(see John 6:44, 65; Titus 3:5)

7. Salvation

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ; His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human effort.

(see Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:30-31; Galatians 2:16; 3:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; Hebrews 9:22)

8. Repentance

Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation.

(see Acts 2:21; 3:19; 17:30-31; 1 John 1:9)

9. Sanctification

Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the

development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and produce the fruit of the Spirit.

(see John 14:16-17; Romans 8:29; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 6:14-18; Galatians 5:16; 22-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Hebrews 2:11)

10. Jesus’ Blood

The blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary was sinless and is one hundred percent sufficient to cleanse humankind from all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death and receive the promise of eternal life in heaven.

(see John 1:29; 3:16; Romans 5:1,9; Hebrews 9:12, 27-28)

11. Jesus Christ Indwells All Believers

Christians are people who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit of God dwells. They relinquish the authority over their lives to Him, thus making Jesus the Lord of their lives as well as Saviour. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried and rose again from the dead.

(see John 1:12; 14:17, 23; 15:4; Romans 8:11)

12. Empowering of the Holy Spirit

After the ascension of Jesus the Holy Spirit was sent by God the Father, in the name of Jesus, to empower believers for the mission of God. While the empowering of the Holy Spirit is intended as a normal component of conversion some believers may experience the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation. Often the Scriptural evidence of inspired speech (speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance or bold declaration of the message of the kingdom of God) accompanies the moment when the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer.

(see Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; John 14:26; Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4;17; 38-39; 8:14-17; 10:38;44-47; 11:15-17; 19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 3:14)

13. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build up and sanctify the Church, demonstrate the validity of the Resurrection and confirm the power of the gospel. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts may occur in various combinations and these gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of biblical parameters.

(see Mark 16:17-20; Romans 1:11; 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:1-40; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-16; Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Peter 4:10)

14. The Church

The Church universal is the body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person born of the Spirit is an integral part of the Church as a member of the Body of believers. There is spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. This one universal Church is also composed of many local churches in given localities. These churches are under the sovereign Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, exercising autonomous government under Him, administering all its local affairs and ministry, as well as the propagation of the gospel.

(see John 17:11, 20-23; Acts 15:22 with Matthew 16:18; 18:15-20; Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23)

15. Two Sacraments

a) Water Baptism

Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded in the Bible to be baptized in water, by full immersion, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 2

(see Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48;19:1-6)

b) The Lord’s Supper

This is a unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice

(representing the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

(see Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26)

16. Healing of the Sick

Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in Jesus’ commission to His

disciples. Healing of the sick is given as a sign that is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit.

(see Psalms 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:9,28; James 5:14-16)

17. God’s Will for Provision

The Father’s will is that believers become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. However, because of the effects of the Fall, many believers may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on earth if they fail to align themselves with the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. The fact of the fall, though, should never prevent believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to serve others.

• Spiritual (see John 3:3-11; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

• Mental and emotional (see Isaiah 26:3; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:7-8; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2:11)

• Physical (see Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24)

• Financial (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 3:9-10; Malachi 3:10-11; 2 Cor 9:6-10)

18. Resurrection

Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body on the first day of the week after His death on the cross. As a result, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected – they that are saved to the resurrection of life, and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation.

(see Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21; 5:29; 20:26-28; 21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 1:21-23; 3:21)

19. Heaven

Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(see Matthew 5:3, 12,20; 6:20; 19:21; 25:34; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Pet 1:4)

20. Hell

After living one life on earth, unbelievers will be judged by God and will be eternally tormented with the devil and the fallen angels.

(see Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15; 21:8)

21. Second Coming

Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures.

(see Matthew 24:30; 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7)