New Creation: Joplin, MO
Guiding Principles
New Creation Church
At New Creation Church our styles and methods may change, but our principles never will....
Bible We believe the Bible is God's true, inspired Word and the final authority for each person's faith and conduct. God calls each of us to study, believe, proclaim, teach and apply God's Word as life-giving truth. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Worship We believe worship is the chief means of glorifying God and leads believers to a passionate relationship with Father, Son & Holy Spirit. (1 Chr 16:23-36, Ps 95:6, Jn 4:24, Rom 12:1, Phil 2:10-11)
Prayer We believe God calls us to an intimate personal relationship with Him that is passionately expressed in prayer. As one body we are also called to expressions of prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, & supplication. (Prv 15:29; Lk 19:46; Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Jn 5:14-15)
Evangelism We believe that all people are created in God's image and matter deeply to Him. Jesus calls us to deliver his message of truth and salvation to the lost with enthusiasm, love, compassion and genuine hospitality. (Gn 1:27, Ps 139:13-16, Matt 24:14; 28:18-20, Mk 1:14-18)
Discipleship We believe discipleship is the transforming process which equips a believer to grow into a new life of prayer, holiness and an ever maturing relationship with Christ. (Lev 11:45, Rom 12:2, 1Thess 5:11, Heb 6:1-3; 12:1-3, Eph 6:18; 4:11-12, 2 Co 5:17)
Service We believe servanthood is a lifestyle of ministry every believer embraces in response to God's grace requiring creativity, energy, and excellence according to each believer's spiritual gifts. We are called to ministry in the place and among the people where God has planted us. (Mk 10: 43-45; 1 Cor 12, Eph 6:7)
Community We believe that new life in Christ is lived out, not as isolated individuals, but in an authentic community of loving relationships, including marriages and families, friendships and small groups. (Jn 13:34-35; 17:20-23, Acts 2:44-47, 1 Cor 1:10; 12:12-13, Heb 10:25, )
Missions We believe that the church is missional by nature and is responsible for nurturing people spiritually, physically, and emotionally in practical ways throughout the neighborhood, community, nation and world. (Acts 1:8, Jas 1:27, Matt 28)
Generosity We believe that every Christ-follower is called to reflect the abundant generosity of God as we give of the time, energy, money and resources entrusted to us. God challenges us to begin with a 10% tithe in all that we offer Him. (Prov 3:9-10; 22:9, Mal 3:10, Matt 25:14-30, 2 Cor 8:1-7; 9:6-8,1 Tim 6:17-18)
Encouragement We believe that followers of Christ are to come alongside and "pour courage into" one another, especially the lonely, forgotten, the sick, the grieving, the poor, and those who minister to them. (Heb 10:24-25; Matt 25:31-46)
Leadership We believe true leadership is exhibited those dedicated to honoring God, living with integrity, following Christ's example of servanthood, & setting a clear vision for the Church while being accountable to God and the people they serve. Our leaders must be willing to step out with a bold faith & take risks. (Matt 17:20; 19:26; Prv 29:18; Jas 4:2; Jn 14:13-14; 1Tim 3, Titus 1:5-9)
Creativity We believe God created people in His image and are, thus, by nature creative. Therefore we are called to incorporate spiritually dynamic & innovative creativity at every level of our life together to the end that God is glorified and His followers spiritually enriched. (Genesis 1:27: 2:19-23).