Values – Meaningful Relationships
Over the next number of weeks, I am going to be sharing about the values that we hold to as an association. Mission tells us what we do, values answers why and what is essential to make our mission successful. The first value we hold as important to what we do is Meaningful Relationships. We value relationships between churches and their leaders in order to foster a greater sense of community in the region that we live and seek to reach with the gospel. We believe our common faith, shared doctrine, and united allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ enable us to form a mutual bond of love and honor and provide synergy in our shared mission. “There is one body, one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope at your calling – one Lord, one faith, one baptism one God and father of all who is above all and through all and in all.”(Eph 4:4-6) As we partner together to reach the northland and the nations with the gospel, the bond that links our collective effort is relationships. First with Christ by faith and then with one another by love. The mission we share is too big for any one church to accomplish, but when we pray for, work with, and encourage “one another,” we build a powerful fellowship that God can do great things through. We are better together, and it best accomplished when we intentionally build Meaningful Relationships. – Dr. Gary Mathes