Core Values

Preface

In expressing that our core values are biblical, we are not claiming that other approaches are unbiblical. Instead, our desire is to ensure that the scripture is the determining factor in every area of our church’s structure and practices.

Biblical Preaching and Teaching

Since, we believe that the primary authority of the church and the believer is the word of God we are committed to preaching verse-by-verse through books of the Bible during our weekly worship gathering. Though we are convinced that this is the best way to ensure the word of God stays central in all the church’s structure and practice, there will be occasions when it is necessary to address specific topics or themes. Even in these moments, the elder preaching would be committed to presenting God’s word in an expositional manner. Likewise, during any other time members of church are gathered for the teaching of God’s Word we are committed to maintaining true Biblical teaching as our focus. This prevents anything else to become what shapes our understanding of God and our relationship with Him.

Biblical Structure

Biblical structure consists of three areas within the church. First, the church is Elder-Led, which means that the church is led in all of its practices by multiple qualified men that the church has affirmed as elders. Secondly, the church is deacons supported, which means that the deacons help ensure that the church and its members are being served well. This allows the elders to focus upon the spiritual needs of the congregation. Third, the church affirms qualified elders and deacons that are set aside for the building up of the church. This ensures that the overall direction of the church is supported by the members of the congregation.

Biblical Worship

It is evident in Scripture that God is to be worshiped, but it is also specific in how He is to be worshiped. This occurs on three levels: personal, family, and corporate worship. First, personal worship is simply to glorify God in everything that one does. Second, family worship is individual families worshiping God together in their home. Third, corporate worship is the commitment to prayer, reading of Scripture, preaching, songs, communion, and baptism during the weekly worship gathering.

Biblical Community

Biblical community consists of believers committing to live in fellowship with one another, with the Gospel as their primary motivation. Since this is the primary commonality of the fellowship, church members should commit to serving, forgiving, encouraging, instructing, teaching, and praying with one another regardless of any superficial differences. Which means that the relationships that make up this community goes beyond any social, racial, economical, or generational barriers. This type of community is a picture of Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, amidst such a divided world, to those that are in need of being reconciled to God.

Biblical Mission

Biblical Mission consists of three primary functions of the church and believers: evangelism, discipleship, and mercy ministries. Evangelism is the proclamation of the Gospel to unbelievers. Discipleship is committing to come along side other believers to ensure they are being prepared for the work of ministry while resting in Christ. Mercy ministries seek to meet the needs of those in our community and all over the world, with the hope that their hearts would be softened to receive the Gospel. Though some may be more gifted in one area or another, it is the call of every believer to commit to these three forms of service.

Vision Statement

Preface

Each of the core components of Redeemer Church's vision statement can only be accomplished by God's supernatural work, through the transcending work of the Gospel in all areas of the Christian life and the practices of fellow believers within the Church.

Mosaic Community

Redeemer Church desires to be a mosaic community of believers that are committed to doing life together. Mosaic community is the idea of people living in harmony together who come from many different walks of life. We feel that, regardless of social status, economical status, ethnicity, age, or gender, that believers should feel welcome to worship and serve alongside one another. The Gospel itself is the only common bond that can make this possible.

Theological Robust

Redeemer Church desires to be theologically sound and robust. The term theology often scares individuals, but this should not be the case because it merely means the study of God. We desire to understand Him better so that we are lead to ultimately know, worship, and serve Him. With this being the case, being theologically sound and robust is something that we want to be evident in our preaching and teaching and the songs we select for our worship services.

Discipleship

Redeemer Church desires to make disciples who will commit to continue making disciples locally, regionally, and internationally. We believe that one of the primary ways that one is discipled is through the weekly worship service. Outside of this, it is essential to understand that every individual’s process is different. Since this is the case, instead of a “one-size fits all’ approach to disciple-making, we are committed to helping each member in their discipleship process in the most impactful way for them personally.

Gospel Rest

We at Redeemer Church understand that life is not always easy and often can be overwhelming. This means that when life is hard, we ultimately rest in God’s sovereignty and that even when we do not understand how or why things happen the way they do, that they are for God’s glory and our good. Along with this reality, every individual’s struggle against sin is an ongoing process. Thus as we war against our sinful nature, we seek rest in the finished work of God through what Christ did on the cross.

Church Planting

As we at Redeemer Church grow and progress as a church our desire will be to be involved in planting in three ways. First, it is to identify, equip, and send out church planters to plant churches domestically and internationally (2 Timothy 2:2). Second, to support other churches or church planters directly through prayer, mission efforts, or financially. Third, we will support church planting by providing financial support to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This enables Redeemer Church to support church planting efforts in Mississippi, throughout North America and to the ends of the earth. The desire to fulfill this effort is due to the biblical conclusion that sharing the Gospel and making disciples results in the need for strong, biblical churches (Matthew 28:18-20).