core values
Each well (or community) shares three core values:
1. Mission – we exist primarily for those who are not yet part of us.
Jesus came to earth on a mission. He did not set up an organisation or a programme. He loved people, spent time with them and brought healing into their lives. When he left he gave his disciples a commission, “In the same way that the Father sent me, I am sending you.” That is to be the central theme of every Christian life – sent on mission. As someone commented, “If mission is not your first priority, it will probably slide out of your top ten.” Whether in work, at the gym, in the shop, or away in Africa, we must have a priority for mission. It is the only thing we won’t have opportunity for in heaven. Mission shapes the church, not the other way round.
2. Family – we are the kind of family you have always wanted.
We all have a deep need to belong. Jesus accepted people simply on the basis of their need to belong. Believing could come later. Behaving in certain ways could come even later. This is a reversal of the traditional route – if you believe the right things and behave in the right ways, then you can belong. All are welcome. We can journey together into faith and discover new ways to live as we go along. Grace is the key.
3. Discipleship – intentional training and mentoring to develop Christ likeness in all aspects of our lives.
Jesus invited twelve men into a discipleship lifestyle. He taught them about God, money, God, sex, family, God, anxiety, heaven, God, nature, mission, healing, God, children, grace, death, God, the future, forgiveness, God… All of life matters to God so we want to engage in a discipleship process that touches as much of life as we can find time for. This is worked out in cells, short courses, studying, reading books, one to one mentoring, ministry groups, working together, going on mission, being in families and any other way that anyone can think of.