Bethel's Core Values

God describes Himself as gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. God is good and, by nature, in a good mood. Psalm 103:8-13; Acts 14:16-17; James 1:17-18; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:11; Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 119:68; Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 104; Exodus 34:5-7; Acts 17:22-31

The message, ministry, and sacrifice of Jesus perfectly reveal the nature of God as a good Father. John 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:2-3; John 14:6-7; Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 1:19, 2:9; John 1:1, 18; 8:1-11, 19

God is a good Father; we can trust Him regardless of our circumstances. Romans 8:28-32; Hebrews 11:6; Nahum 1:7; James 1:12-18; Matthew 10:29-31; Acts 16:23-26

Enemies come to steal and kill, but Jesus came to destroy demonic works and give us abundant life. John 10:10-11; 1 John 3:8; Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 5:8-10; Ephesians 6:12; Mark 5:1-19

God’s goodness is extravagant. As we remember and retell what He has done through our testimonies, faith is created that He is able and eager to do it again. Romans 10:15-17; Hebrews 13:7-8; Acts 10:34-48; Revelation 19:10; Psalm 44:1-5, 119:11; Mark 5:18-21; Deuteronomy 6:17-24; I Chronicles 16:23-36; Joshua 4:1-9

We joyfully experience the astounding, undeserved love of God and His ongoing power to transform us. His transforming love and power are inseparable from one another. John 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:8-10; Romans 5:6-11; Mark 5:1-20

God scandalously loves His lost creation and extends grace to us, empowering believers to love Him and others at a higher standard than the law. Romans 5:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-18; Romans 6:11-14; Matthew 5:21-28; Romans 8:2-4; Acts 9:1-22, 26:1-23

Deeply experiencing grace teaches us about righteousness, which empowers us to overcome sin and failure. The Father’s love keeps us from focusing on sin or hiding in shame if we fail. Ephesians 3:14-21; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Titus 2:11-13; Colossians 3:1-5; Acts 2:14-41

God’s grace breaks the mentality that says “I am a powerless victim of circumstances” and creates a new identity that declares, “In Christ, I am a victorious overcomer, no matter the situation.” John 16:33; 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:31-32, 35-39; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Deuteronomy 28:13; Jeremiah 29:11

We are adopted into God’s family, so we intentionally create family and community wherever we go. Ephesians 1:5, 2:19; Matthew 12:48-50; Galatians 6:10; Romans 8:15-16; 1 Peter 2:17; Acts 2:41-47

We think like healthy family members and do what’s best for the whole environment, mutually submitting to one another in love and not being selfish. Philippians 2:3; Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 5:21; Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 13; Ruth 1:16-17

In covenant relationships, we purposely grow our capacity to trust and be trusted as we empower and confront one another in order to live out who we truly are. Matthew 18:15; Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Samuel 20

We are loyal, which is demonstrated most radically when people fail. We do not punish and abandon those who fail in order to save face or show we hate sin, but instead we commit to helping them be restored. Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15; John 8:1-11; Psalm 141:5; John 21

God wants to communicate with His family. It is important for us to actively listen for His voice and experience the variety of ways He communicates. John 10:26-28, 16:13; Matthew 4:4; Isaiah 50:4-5; 1 John 2:27; Acts 2:17; Numbers 11:29; 1 Kings 19:9-13

Scripture calls us to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy, which is to speak on God’s behalf to strengthen, encourage, and comfort people. We desire to say what the Father is saying to help people grow in their identity and discover their God-given purpose and value. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4; John 12:49; 1 Timothy 4:14-16; Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; Acts 13:1-3

Prophecy is not one-way communication. It involves two people hearing from God: the one who gives the prophetic word and the one who receives it. With the Holy Spirit, Scripture and our community, we judge the spirit and accuracy of the words we give and receive. Holding on to what is good, we let go of what is not. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 14:29; Luke 9:55; Acts 21:10-22:24, 27:10, 22-24

The Bible is the ultimate, authoritative revelation unlike any other; nothing will be added to it. Therefore, prophecy should never contradict properly interpreted Scripture. Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; Matthew 7:15-20; John 8:31-32; 2 Peter 1:16-21

God is big and victorious. The devil is small and defeated. We are in a battle, but the outcome is not in doubt! 1 John 4:4; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 John 2:13, 5:4-5; Romans 8:31-39; John 12:31; Acts 4:23-31; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14-15; John 16:33: Mark 5:1-13

We believe and live the prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Therefore, we partner with the King in natural and supernatural ways to establish mercy, justice, and righteousness until He comes. Matthew 6:9-10, 10:7-8; Isaiah 9:7, 33:5-6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 10:42, 25:40; John 14:12; James 1:27; Matthew 12:22-29

As believers, we are all in full-time ministry as God advances His Kingdom into every area of society. Our work and efforts both inside and outside the church are sacred and valuable acts of worship to God. 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 12:1; Matthew 5:13-16; Colossians 3:23-24; Daniel 6:3; Proverbs 22:29; Ephesians 6:5-9; Matthew 25:31-46

Although we will experience resistance and conflict as the Kingdom advances, we expect the culture to be changed as people come to salvation and take their places in God’s purpose for the world. John 15:19-21, 16:33; Colossians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 12:10; Nehemiah 2:1-10; Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 19:11-41

Honor recognizes and affirms that every person is valuable and powerful. We are made in God’s image; He died to restore us to relationship with Him, therefore we are significant. Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 4:23-24; Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:14-26; 1 Peter 2:17; Matthew 26:6-13

Honor recognizes and celebrates the best in people, in spite of our differences. We respond to people based on their God-given identity and the honor in our hearts, not their behavior or self-definition. 1 Corinthians 12:14-26; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17; James 2:1-5; Philippians 2:3; 1 Samuel 24:1-10

Honor is demonstrated through consistent respect in word and action toward those we lead, follow, love, and disagree with. While honor avoids controlling others, it also lovingly confronts, limits, and disciplines when necessary. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Leviticus 19:15-18; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:14-15; Romans 2:4; Matthew 18:15; Hebrews 12:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Luke 3:10-14

The level of honor we have for a person directly affects our ability to receive from them. Matthew 10:40-42; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:14-20; 2 Kings 4:8-37

The church is the bride of Christ and she will successfully fulfill His great commission to make disciples of all nations, which means the nations will experience transformation. Ephesians 5:25-27; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 11:15; Isaiah 54:3-5, 60:1-5; Acts 2

We work to leave a legacy and an inheritance for future generations, just as previous generations have done for us. While anticipating Christ’s glorious return, we simply do not know when He will come, which should inspire us to have a long-term earthly vision. Proverbs 13:22; Acts 2:39; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 2:11-14; James 5:7-8; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 25:1-29; Hebrews 11:4-30

We are not looking to escape the world but to see Christ’s victory manifested in individuals and nations, even in the face of resistance and conflict. John 17:15-18; Luke 10:2-3; Matthew 28:18-19; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 16:33; Revelation 11:15; Acts 13:13-52

The Church is called to overcome in all circumstances: in times of suffering and persecution, but also in times of prosperity and great influence. John 16:33; Revelation 3:5, 21; Philippians 4:11-13; Isaiah 41:10; 1 John 4:4, 5:4; Romans 8:37-39; 1 Chronicles 28:6-10; 1 Kings 5:3-5; Acts 4:13-37