Our Values

 

“Values” is a big word these days. It suggests the basis for behavior in an organization. At PTCC, values are the core convictions that shape our church’s identity and its corporate culture.

CHURCH IDENTITY: Some values determine who we are as a church. They point to our ultimate priorities.  We value...

  • God’s Word—it is our ultimate source of truth for faith and life. We believe God’s Word comes to us in written form, the Bible, and in the risen presence of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. We have absolute confidence in the truthfulness of the Bible and seek to live according to all of its teachings. With the help of the Holy Spirit we interpret all of Scripture in the light of the full revelation of God in Jesus Christ.
  • Lost people—God desires to express his love for them through us. Lost people matter to God and therefore they matter to us. We will invest in relationships with people who do not know Christ with the hope that they will recognize the grace of God in the way that we love them. At appropriate times we will verbally share how they can know Christ and invite them to experience the community of Christ in our church.
  • Spiritual transformation—it is God’s will for every believer. While God loves us just as we are, he also loves us too much to let us stay the way we are. He wants to transform our thoughts, attitudes, and actions in such a way that we reflect his character and experience life to the fullest. This spiritual transformation is the product of genuine worship, obedience to God’s Word, the inner working of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of believers living in biblical community.
  • Loving relationships—they are the distinguishing marks of authentic faith. The way we love each other is the clearest indication of the genuineness of our faith and the most powerful witness to our community of the truthfulness of the gospel. We will seek to let love prevail in the ways we work together, care for one another, and resolve conflict.
  • Joyful generosity—it is our natural response to God’s grace. When we grasp what God has done for us in Christ and how much we have been forgiven, we are compelled by love to live generous lives. Our generosity will be measured by sacrificial giving and selfless service to God and to his purposes.
  • Unity—it is essential for a strong and prevailing church. The basis for the unity of our church will be a common commitment to our vision, mission, strategy, core values, and beliefs.

CORPORATE CULTURE: Some values determine how we function as an organization. They point to the defining principles of our corporate environment.  We value...

  • Prayer—it must permeate every aspect of our church’s life. Prayer is the means through which we experience God’s guidance, power, and transformation. It is to be our first resort and an indispensable element in every ministry of our church.
  • Excellence—it is the standard by which we measure all that we do. In light of all that God has done for us, we desire to offer him our very best. Deliberate mediocrity does not honor the excellence of God or enhance his reputation in the world.
  • Spiritual Oversight—those who lead our church will be fully devoted to Christ and to the mission of our church. The direction of the church will be entrusted to those who are in a growing relationship with Christ, filled with spiritual wisdom and discernment, and obedient to God’s Word. We believe God calls both men and women to lead in the church.
  • Spiritual Gifts—all believers are gifted and called by the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission of the church. Our church is most effective and believers are most fulfilled when they are serving in areas of their passion and giftedness. At our church every partner is on mission.
  • Team Ministry—the church is wired by God to function as a team. When people work together for a common purpose resources are multiplied, community is deepened, and the church is most effective in accomplishing its mission.
  • A Leadership Culture—it is crucial to the continual growth and effectiveness of our church. An environment where leaders can emerge, be nurtured, and flourish produces a prevailing and enduring church.
  • Alignment—all of our ministries and programs will serve the same purpose. The church’s mission will determine both what we will do and what we will not do. Every aspect of the church—ministries, leadership, and decisions—must be aligned with its mission and vision.

 


WCA logoPreston Trail Community Church is a member of the Willow Creek Association.

Since 1992, the Willow Creek Association has been linking like-minded, action-oriented churches with each other and with strategic vision, training, and resources. Our desire is to serve local church leaders in building biblically functioning churches that reach increasing numbers of lost people, not just with innovations from Willow Creek, but with God-given breakthroughs with widespread potential from any church in the world. The WCA is a not-for-profit ministry with more than 10,000 Member Churches from 90 denominations and 35 countries. They represent a wide variety of sizes, denominations and backgrounds, and are ministering in literally every corner of the world. As they pursue their own unique, God-given vision for ministry in their community, Member Churches confirm a shared commitment to Christ and a passion for reaching lost people.