Our Core Values

(What makes us “tick”)

Here at Temple Baptist Church we are open and accepting of others and where they are in their spiritual journey, but we are also strongly committed to some important values.  These values shape everything we do:

We believe God speaks to people through the Bible.

We read it often, we study it carefully, we allow it to shape our thinking, and we try hard to apply it to our lives.  We want to be biblical Christians in all we do.

Here’s how the Apostle Paul described the importance of the Bible in our lives “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We believe God has created us to worship Him.

When we worship God we put our focus on Him, our lives are changed, our values are adjusted, and we are prepared for everyday living.

“Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”  (Matthew 22:37-38)

We believe Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord.

He was God in the flesh when He walked in Palestine 2,000 years ago and when He died on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins.  Best of all, He did not stay dead, He rose from the grave and is alive today!  Because He is alive, Jesus offers 21st Century people forgiveness and life.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
       and gave him the name that is above every name,
  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
       in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
       to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:9-11)

We believe in prayer.

God invites us to join His work through prayer.  When we bring our needs to God in prayer, He hears our prayer and acts on our behalf.  We do not control God’s work through prayer, but instead we put ourselves into a position where He can work in us and those for whom we pray.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”              (Philippians 4:6-7)

We believe that the church should be a lot like a family – a healthy family.

As generations work together, bear with each other, and often forgive each other, our family grows and matures.  With Jesus as the Head, we follow His directions to minister as He has gifted us.

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”  (John 1:12)
“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  (Romans 8:14-15)

We believe all people need Jesus.

We know we need Jesus, and we are not alone, it is everyone’s need.  However, many do not understand their need nor do they know what Jesus has done for them.  We are commissioned to tell His story to everyone, in our neighborhoods and around the world.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. “  (John 3:16)

We are committed to these core values, but we live them out imperfectly.  We must be humble and teachable.  After all, the Bible tells us that:

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time.”  (I Peter 5:5-6)