Core Values

Often we are asked, “What kind of a church is CenterPoint?” Our somewhat humorous but real answer is, “It’s a good one!” We respond this way certainly because of our core values — the how with which we practice what we believe.

Our core values define who we are in our attitudes, motives, and practice. Our values are the following:

Grace Based Atmosphere

Joy is a rare commodity in our society, and perhaps because it has become rare in the church. Why is this? When we read scripture—both Old and New Testaments—joy seems to be everywhere. One of the marks of the coming of the Messiah is joy, as Isaiah foretells in Isaiah 61:7, “…everlasting joy will be [ours],” and earlier in that same verse he declares “joy” will be a “double portion.” And yet, believers who should be joyful seem to live joyless lives. Why is this? We need a …

Joy Make-Over

At least our expression of Christianity needs a “make-over.” When you

attend a worship gathering of our CenterPoint family, you may notice

several boxes of Kleenex on chairs. Someone commented, “You guys must cry a lot!” We are not afraid to be emotional. As we discover how much God loves us, and how God’s love has so wonderfully, so miraculously changed us, I suppose we get a bit “weepy.” The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 30:5, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” The Christian life is a joyous celebration that though we aren’t who we should be, with joy abundant, we thank God that we aren’t who we used to be. Psalm 5:11, “Let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy…” Bring on the Kleenex!

Joy’s Meaning

The best definition I have ever heard is this: Joy is the peace of God

bubbling up and over! It is not dependent on our circumstances; it is

dependent on the work of God in our hearts. No wonder Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; [and just in case you didn’t hear me…] again I will say, rejoice!” Most commentators believe that this was the last letter Paul ever wrote as he awaited his execution. Wow! Bring on the Kleenex!

Joy and Ministry

ought to be synonymous. It should permeate our worship, our small groups, our evangelism, our service, our stewardship, our love, you name it, and “the joy of the Lord is your strength,” Nehemiah 8:10.

Bring on the Kleenex!

Genuine Friendship

Since our inception in August of 2002, we have placed a high premium on the establishing and nurturing of genuine friendships. The truth is, we really do like each other, and we hope that you will notice. Genuine friendships surely are one of the richest blessings of God this side of heaven. While it seems that everyone desires genuine friendships, it is a fact that not everyone achieves the depth of friendship they desire. Here are some helpful guidelines that we follow:

Assume that someone wants to know you.

Poor self-esteem, fear of rejection, and other factors tend to paralyze people. II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” You are a person of great value because of God’s love in Jesus. Share the wealth!

Be willing to take a risk.

Initiate a conversation by asking some key questions: “How long have you been attending CenterPoint?” “What attracted you?” “Do you work outside the home?” “Tell me about your family.”

Pray.

Ask God to lead you to someone or a small group with whom you can build a genuine friendship.

Genuine friendships take time.

Rome was not built in a day and neither are genuine friendships. Meeting regularly in a small group is a great place to begin. Pick up a small groups brochure at our ConnectionPoint counter. Being a part of a small group will be time well invested.

Real Down-to-Earth Spirituality

We sing a song whose lyrics read, “He came from heaven to earth to show the way, from the earth to the cross my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord, I lift your name on high.”

I’ve heard people say, “He was so heavenly minded that he was of no earthly good!” Now, I understand their point, but I’m fairly certain that we cannot be of any earthly good until we are heavenly minded, so that we truly appreciate and understand what the God of heaven has done for us on earth. Consider the following:

A Biblical World View. The Bible reveals that the physical and spiritual worlds are real; and both worlds interact with one another (i.e. Daniel 10, Mark 1:21-28; Ephesians 6:10-18, etc.). The Bible never teaches that one world is more real than the other.

Greek Dualism on the other hand, Greek philosophers taught that the physical world was evil, and the spiritual world was good. For the Greek, therefore, eternal life was an escape from the physical world into a more real spiritual world.

Biblical Reality. It is curious how much the church has become influenced by Greek thought. For example, I met one Christian who was sick, but refused to admit it. Rather he exclaimed, “I am healed.” It was obvious he was sick as he took his handful of pills! He had somehow come to believe that there was a spiritual world that was more real than the physical one whose sickly symptoms he was experiencing.

At CenterPoint we invite you to experience “Real down-to-earth spirituality” which means simply: If you are sick, then we will pray for you to be healed. If you are broken-hearted, then we will pray for you to be mended. If you are lost and scattered, we will pray for you to be found. You see, that’s what the God of heaven has done for us on earth. We really do believe that God can and will do for you though Jesus, that which you could never do for yourself.

Yep, we really are “Real down-to-earth” people. Come and share His life with us.

Simplicity

Simplicity is rare in our society. From only a cursory look at community life, it would seem that we value the complexity of always needing a bigger house, a faster car, a shinier diamond, a louder sound system, and, of course, the next and newest electronic gadget! The church, I am fearful, has become guilty of the same. Whatever happened to what is recorded in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content whatever circumstances.”? Simplicity and contentment are conditions of the soul. It is the fruit of a life that is hidden in Christ with God as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:3, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Oh what freedom there is when our confidence and security is in God; to live knowing that we are not controlled by money, people, things, or even our own reputation, but are rather convinced that “of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace,” John 1:16.

Simplicity in Ministry

We try to reflect this value corporately. We wish to do nothing “for religious effect,” but rather to operate in natural, low key, “non-hype” patterns. We ask and anticipate God to move in dramatic ways (for which we are grateful), but we do not believe we have to, nor do we seek to, work people up into some kind of “holy-froth.”

Simplicity in Relationships

We try to reflect this value relationally. As you get to know the people called CenterPoint we believe that you will not find we are very “religious” acting as though we’ve got it all together, but that you will find we are extremely “forgiven”. It is our desire to seek after God with all our hearts while simultaneously being honest and transparent about our faults and shortcomings.

Culturally Releveant

We value being culturally relevant, and therefore, aim to develop an atmosphere of ease regarding the way we talk, the way we dress, the way we worship. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 9:22, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.” Without compromising God’s word, we do this in some obvious ways:

The Way we Talk

is about the things of God, and especially about the amazing and life-changing gift of God, Jesus, who has forever changed our lives. How do we describe God’s “indescribable gift,” II Corinthians 9:15? We strive to keep it real, to be relevant, honest and transparent. It is truly refreshing to meet Christians who are authentic about their walk and their talk. Therefore, no “Christianese” please!

The Way we Dress

is casual. We recognize that some events are formal. For the most part, church services have been designated as “formal”, but this is not our way. While some will “dress-up,” most will not, which begs the question, “Why not?”

Because our church gatherings are family gatherings and typically family gatherings are casual.
Because frequent excuses like, “I don’t have anything to wear,” can never be made regarding our family gatherings. Wear your jeans! Wear your shorts! You will fit in here.
Because many who attend church gatherings do so under the influence of an outward religion marked by ridged tradition reflective of a religious spirit disguised in formalities that few understand, “holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power”, II Timothy 3:5.

The Way we Worship

reflects our culture – a little bit country, a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll. Since CenterPoint’s inception in 2002, we have been so blessed with worship that appreciates our musical heritage, but also celebrates what and how God is speaking today, a blending of old and new that seeks to honor God.

Fun and Joy in the Kingdom