Ten core values bring clarity to the things that matter most at willow. They
guide how we achieve our mission, influencing major leadership decisions as
well as everyday ministry plans. They even help us navigate staffing and budget
issues. In short, they keep us focused on the unique call God has given us as a
local church.
- We believe
anointed teaching is the catalyst for transformation in individuals’ lives
and in the church. This includes the concept of
teaching for life change (Romans 12:7; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; James 1:23–25).
- We believe lost
people matter to God, and therefore, they matter to the church. This
includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process
(Luke 5:30–32; Luke 15; Matthew 18:14).
- We believe the
church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. This
includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through our
facility, printed materials, and use of the arts (1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
- We believe Christ followers should manifest authenticity and yearn for continuous
growth. This
includes the concepts of personal authenticity, character, and wholeness (Ephesians
4:25–26, 32; Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 1:6).
- We believe a
church should operate as a unified community of servants, with men and
women stewarding their spiritual gifts. This includes the concepts
of unity, servanthood, spiritual gifts, and ministry callings (1 Corinthians
12 and 14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; psalm 133:1).
- We believe
loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. This
includes the concepts of love-driven ministry, ministry accomplished in
teams, and relationship building (1 Corinthians 13; Nehemiah 3; Luke 10:1;
John 13:34–35).
- We believe
life-change happens best in community. This includes the concepts
of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability (Luke 6:12–13; Acts
2:44–47).
- We believe
excellence honors God and inspires people. This
includes the concepts of evaluation, critical review, intensity, and
excellence (Colossians 3:17; Malachi 1:6–14; Proverbs 27:17).
- We believe
churches should be led by men and women with God-given leadership gifts. This
includes the concepts of empowerment, servant leadership, strategic focus,
and intentionality (Nehemiah 1–2; Romans 12:8; acts 6:2–5).
- We believe the
pursuit of full devotion to Christ and his cause is normal for every
believer. This
includes the concepts of stewardship, servanthood, downward mobility, and
the pursuit of kingdom goals (1 Kings 11:4; Philippians 2:1–11; 2 Corinthians
8:7).
What we believe
Holy Bible
The bible is God’s word to
all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of
the holy spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the bible is truth without any
mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives. It alone
is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. (Deuteronomy 4:1-2;
Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39;
16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; Romans 16:25-28; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews
1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Peter 3:16).
Trinity
There is one God, eternally
existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although each member of
the trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority
(Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke
1:35; Romans 8:9-11; Hebrews 3:7-11; James 2:19; 1 John 5:7).
The Father
God is great: he is all
powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust,
and above all, holy. It is in him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He
is our father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to his people and his
promises (exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi
3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4).
The Son
Jesus Christ is God the
son, the second person of the trinity. He is completely human but, at the
same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who
are far from God back into a right relationship with god. He was born of a
virgin and lived a sinless life, so that he could be a substitution for us in
satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in his
resurrection so we can have life (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 22:70;
24:46-47; John 1:1,14, 20:28; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians
2:5-6; Colossians 1:15; 2:9 1 Timothy 2:5).
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal
with the Father and the Son as God. The Holy Spirit’s presence, in the
lives of Christians, assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides
believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us
spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ. The Christian seeks to
live under his control daily (Genesis 1:2; Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; mark
16:17; acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:1-4; 17, 38-39; 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47; 11:15-17,
19:1-6; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians
5:25; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:18; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17).
Salvation
We are saved by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ; his death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation
is God’s gift to you if you’ll accept it. It is not a result of our good
works, self-improvement, or of any human efforts. It is only by trusting in Jesus
Christ as God's offer of forgiveness that you can be saved from sin's penalty (Isaiah
1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66; 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John
14:6; John 1:12; acts 16:31; romans 5:1; 10:9-10; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Ephesians
2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:22; revelation 3:20).
The Church
The church is the body of Christ,
a local community of baptized believers, unified through faith in Christ Jesus.
It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of his
commands. The church also seeks to bring the gospel to the world. Every
person who is born of the spirit is an integral part of the church as a member
of the body of believers. The church works together in love and unity, intent
on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; John
17:11, 20-23; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians
7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Hebrews 12:23).
Eternity
Man was created to exist
forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union
with god through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God
is hell. To be eternally in union with him is heaven. Heaven and hell are
places of eternal existence (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20; Mark 9:43-48; John
3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation
20:12-15).
Man
Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of his creation. Man was created to have
fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful
disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God
through his own effort. We are all born with a sinful nature and choose to sin
against God. We're incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through
our own efforts (genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6;
7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22;
3:9-11).
Salvation
We are saved by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ; his death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation
is God’s gift to you if you’ll accept it. It is not a result of our good works,
self-improvement, or of any human efforts. It is only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness that you can be saved from sin's penalty
(Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66; 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69;
2:28-32; john 14:6; john 1:12; acts 16:31; romans 5:1; 10:9-10; Galatians 2:16,
3:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:22; revelation 3:20).
Virgin Birth
Jesus Christ was conceived
by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the trinity) in
the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, he is the son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke
1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27-35).
Redemption
Man was created good and
upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is
in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Genesis. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).
Regeneration
For anyone to know God,
regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 6:44, 65; Mathew
19:28; Titus 3:5).
Repentance
Repentance is the
commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ,
which allows us to receive his redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate
salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
Sanctification
Sanctification is the
ongoing process of yielding to God’s word and his spirit in order to complete
the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry
of the Holy Spirit and the word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a
godly life (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians
2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).
Jesus Blood
The blood that Jesus Christ
shed on the cross of calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse
mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed himself to be punished for both our
sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the
penalty of sin, which is death (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians
1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is
manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the
church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of
the gospel. The bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and
the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to
earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts
always operate in harmony with the scriptures and should never be used in
violation of biblical parameters (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; Ephesians
4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter
4:10).
Water Baptism
Following faith in the lord
Jesus Christ, the new believer is commanded by the word of God to be baptized
in water in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit (Matthew
28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
Communion
Communion is a unique time,
in the presence of God, when the elements of bread and grape juice (the body
and blood of the lord Jesus Christ) are taken in remembrance of Jesus’
sacrifice on the cross (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).
Biblical Marriage
Biblical marriage is
clearly defined as one man (born a man) united with one woman (born a woman)
for life. This covenant is with god and should not be taken lightly or altered
to fit personal preferences. (Genesis 2:22-24, Ephesians 5:22-33, Matthew
19:4-6, Mark 10:6-9, Galatians 5:24-25).
Resurrection
Jesus Christ was physically
resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after his death on the
cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that
are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the
resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28,
21:4; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).
Second Coming
Jesus Christ will
physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish his
kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the scriptures (Matthew
24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation
1:7).