Values help define and guide the leadership approach within the local church
As we teach, train, encourage, and release God’s people to do the work of the ministry and serve, DSC has certain “givens” that are the Guide Posts for why we do what we do. As you become acquainted with these values, you’ll better understand who we are and where we’re coming from.
Authenticity
God created each person in His image and likeness with a unique personality and unique gifts. Being authentic is simply being yourself. Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or not corrupted from the original. We seek to create an atmosphere in which people can be themselves. We celebrate each person in this way: we take you as God takes you—as you are, faults and all. We understand that we are all imperfect people, each on a spiritual journey to discover God’s best for our lives. As long as one is willing to grow in God’s ways, we at DSC, will come-along side, encourage, care for and partner with that person in their journey.
Integrity
“Is my walk with the Lord dis-integrated or integrated? Is there a “double-life” going on in this soul of mine?” These are questions asked of one who is seeking to walk with integrity. Jesus came not just to save us from everlasting separation from God. He came to make us whole! And though there’s a battle raging in our souls (our sinful pulls won’t be gone until we’re glorified), will we walk with integrity or slip into a “double-life”? In this world of compromise, a life of integrity and relationships that have integrity shine for Him like nothing else.
Integrity means: The state of being unimpaired; soundness; the quality or condition of being whole or undivided; moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
And integrity always starts with a thought:
"If you sow a thought, you reap an act.
If you sow an act, you reap a habit.
If you sow a habit, you reap a character,
and if you sow a character, you reap a destiny."
Community
At DSC we believe that God created us not simply to live our lives as isolated individuals, or to be part of a disconnected crowd of people, but to experience dynamic community with one another. In addition to our weekly Sunday Celebration, we value regular involvement in a small group (Home Groups, LEAD groups, Wellspring Groups). Being part of a Small Group, one can experience the joys and support of the family of God. We seek to create a safe atmosphere as we listen to each other. People at DSC feel relaxed and safe sharing their joys and struggles and confessing their faults one to another. That’s because they know they’ll be heard and not “fixed” because we value and practice listening.
Listening – Really Listening
This can really be called “honoring”; because we honor a person when we listen well to him/her. This simple act of good listening is what we value and teach at DSC. James 1:22 says to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry. We value creating “safe places” for people to be heard. People want to be heard, not fixed, so it’s important for us to make sure a person is dignified by being heard and not fixed as that person opens his/her heart to share. CLICK HERE FOR the Rest of the “story.”
Biblical Order – Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
DSC affirms biblical headship where a man, designed and equipped by God, is to gently yet strongly lead, protect and provide for his family. DSC affirms Biblical and willing submission in the role of the wife. Men and women are both made in the image of God and are equal in essence and in their standing before God. Yet, in the home, the Bible emphasizes that the man is to display the love of Jesus toward his wife (as Christ loved the Church) and the woman is to display the submission of the Church to Jesus in her respect toward her husband (as the Church submits to Christ). Both are displaying a certain glory and both are equal in essence. A woman’s role in submission refers in part to a wife’s divine calling to honor and affirm a husband’s headship role. A man's role is to display Christ's love for His Church in the way he loves his wife. CLICK Here for the rest of God’s story.
Telling Others About Jesus
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those with whom God brings us into contact. We encourage DSC-ers to practice sharing who Jesus is with anyone who needs to hear the Good News. We also encourage them to invite their friends into a life of following Jesus
Innovation and Creativity
At DSC, we know that we serve a creative God! You might have heard about the seven last words of a church: “We’ve never done it that way before,” or “we’ve always done it that way here.” At DSC, we’re aware of those kinds of ruts and we try to avoid them by holding traditions lightly. We work on remaining flexible and ready to change as the Spirit—not the culture—leads us.
Prayer
Prayer is simply talking to and talking with God. As we talk with Him, He reveals His heart to us. We’re not really going anywhere if we don’t grab a hold of God’s heart and His will. God reveals His will through His Word. Prayer in a huge way is God’s invitation to us—to partner with Him.
Biblical Wisdom
The Bible is our sole authority. At DSC, we believe that while our culture is rapidly changing, God’s wisdom transcends both time and culture. We believe that the Scriptures, while written long ago, are relevant for today. We believe the Scriptures are “God-breathed.” They are without error and are relevant to every aspect of our life—speaking to the needs and challenges that we have today as 21st century people. Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for relationships with each other and with God. The first question we ask, when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?”
We encourage believers to not only learn from the Scriptures during the Sunday Celebration—which is really DSC’s—Big Training Class on how to do life living in the Kingdom—but to read, study, memorize and search the Bible on a daily basis as one who follows Jesus.
If the Word of God is the only solid foundation by which we discover and experience the glorious purpose God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:15
Spiritual Growth
We encourage people to live lives that are yielded to God and to mature spiritually through regular study of Scripture and fellowship with other believers, prayer, service and by sharing their faith and love in deed and in truth.
Spiritual Gifts
Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, God has equipped every believer to serve his family, his church, his community in some significant way. At DSC, you’ll not find an oppressive hierarchy of clergy and laity (laity is a church term for people who are just regular folks, and we’re all regular folks) where the congregation does the congregation and the ministers do the ministering. Rather, what you’ll find here are a bunch of ordinary people seeking to serve an extraordinary God.
The leadership team at DSC is here to equip each person to be a mature follower and minister of Jesus Christ. We truly believe this: all people at DSC are ministers. The leaders are here to wake people up to this and to encourage, train, and coach in the unique ministry God has given to them.
Teamwork
We believe in order to build a great church we need to build great teams. We believe that the work of God has given us here on Earth will best be accomplished not simply through individual effort, but as teams learn to trust one another and work together as a team to fulfill God’s purposes.
Worship
At DSC, worship is holistic, lively, contemporary and interactive. We believe that worship is intended to be a celebration of who God is and what He has done and is doing for each of us. We believe that worship doesn’t end when we leave Sunday. Worship must be looked at as an attitude that we nurture through out every day—in our homes, community and in the workplace.
The Worth of Every Human Being
We believe that every person alive, regardless of background, gender, socioeconomic status, race or country of origin matters greatly to God. Every person is made in His Image. This is true for the unborn—which today don’t have the same rights as the “born” - the right to life. This is true for the elder—whom some would like to take away their right to live because they’re not as “productive.”
We believe that at every stage of life—from the unborn to the elderly—each person has a contribution to make and something to teach us. We believe that human beings, though imperfect and flawed were created in the image of God and therefore have tremendous worth in God’s sight. Because every man, woman and child alive, is valued by God, we believe they should be valued by us as well.
Giving
“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 26:30
At DSC, we practice the habit of tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical principle regarding giving to the local church. Tithing—giving a 10th is a good place to start as we learn to give. The blessing, however, only starts there. Giving is a personal conviction and ought to be done cheerfully—not because one “has to” but because one “gets to.” it should never be done because of a sense of being coerced to give. Paul instructs us to give cheerfully.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6—9 In the Message version ~ Paul writes:
“Remember—a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
Giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
Never run out, never wear out.”
Priesthood of Every Believer
“Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God…” Rev. 1:6 (GN) “You are. . . The King’s priests . . . God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God.” 1 Peter 2:9 (GN)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service—regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading. In the Old Testament, only the priests were to make sacrifices for the people. Since Jesus—who is called our High Priest—made the “once for all” sacrifice for us—His very own life—He. . .
· Did away with the old priesthood
· Became our High Priest
· Mad us all—who believe in Him—qualified to approach His throne of grace, worship and in prayer for others
In other words—each and every believer has the same way to approach God. That way is through Jesus Christ. When we come before God’s throne in Jesus’ name, God hears us and communes with us. Each of us have the same access to His throne—not only to commune with God, but to pour out our hearts and petitions to receive His mercy and grace, and to pray for others.
