Following are the values that drive the things we do in the way we do them:
1. Autonomous, yet every local church under the Lordship of Jesus. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Autonomous does not mean unaccountable or not under authority. As a Southern Baptist church, our churches are accountable to Jesus for the way they steward His church and bear witness to Him through their words and deeds. Autonomous means that the association has no authority over a local church. The association can choose to remove a church from its membership as defined in our constitution but it cannot dictate what a church believes or does. Our partnership is voluntary.
2. Unity, yet not the same. (Philippians 1:27-2:11)
Unity is based upon our shared convictions regarding the teaching of scripture as explained in the Baptist Faith and Message. It does not mean we agree on every matter of doctrine or practice but on those core doctrines. We are united around Jesus and his mission to make disciples of all nations.
3. God's glory above all. (Psalm 96:1-4; John 1:14)
John 1:14 (ESV) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." We desire to live and speak in a manner that accurately reflects God's glory, being graceful as we live and speak His truth. This means we willing set aside our preferences or agendas in order to make his glory known to people everywhere.
4. Love: For God, Neighbor, and fellow believers. (Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34-35)
Jesus summarized the entire Law and the Prophets in two commands: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. He later gave a new commandment to his disciples, the Church, to love one another. Love is not merely emotion or sentiment but also is about obedience to the commands of Jesus for Jesus himself said that "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words." (John 14:23-24)
5. Strategy drives structure. (Matthew 9:16-17)
The structure of our association will change as necessary to fulfill the strategy God gives to fulfill the part of his mission he has given us to fulfill for a particular season.
