Our purpose describes why we exist. Our values describe who we are. And our vision describes where we are going.
Purpose
Bringing glory to God by making maturing disciples of Jesus.
Given our purpose, it’s important that we define what we mean by a “disciple of Jesus.” We believe that a disciple of Jesus is someone who is: (a) living in union with Jesus Christ, (b) growing in conformity to His image as the Spirit transforms him/her from the inside out, (c) being nurtured within a community of disciples who are engaged in that lifelong process, and (d) helping others to know and become like Jesus.
Values
Our values define us. They are who we are as a church, what we hold near and dear, and what’s important to us. These values guide us and are the glue that holds us together. We have three categories or “hills” of values: theological, relational, and missional.
- Theological
- God-Centered – Temecula Hills is centered around our God who is most clearly revealed in the Person of Jesus. We believe that Jesus is the centerpiece of the Bible and of civilization. In all we do, we treasure Him as the Center and King of the universe, and we have an overwhelming sense of His sovereignty, majesty, grace, and power. (Col 1:15-18; Heb 1:1-3; Joh 14:8-9; Rom 11:33-36)
- Bible-Saturated – Temecula Hills recognizes the ultimate authority and life-giving truth found in God’s Word to mankind—the Bible. We therefore see the Bible as the most relevant book on earth, and we saturate all we do with Scripture. (2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12)
- Thoughtful – Temecula Hills emphasizes the development of the Christian mind so that people think rightly about reality and are able to articulate what and why they believe with gentleness and respect. We are in the job of creating intelligent, thoughtful, warm-hearted Christians who wear Christ attractively. (Rom 12:2; 1 Pet 3:15; Mat 22:37; Rom 13:14)
- Relational
- Family of Believers – Temecula Hills is a fellowship—a community that is committed to one another, knows one another, and seeks to share life together as fellow members of God’s family. God’s love is instilled in us, and so we believe that the health of our family can be measured primarily by our love and devotion to one another. (Rom 12:9-10; 1 Pet 1:22; 1 Joh 4:20; Gal 6:2; Phil 2:3)
- Shared Leadership – Temecula Hills believes in a genuine plurality of leadership. We therefore are led and taught by a plurality of qualified men who are relationally connected with our church family, under the authority of our Chief Shepherd, Jesus. We are intentional about doing ministry in teams and equipping and empowering future leaders. (Tit 1; 1 Tim 3; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Mat 23:8)
- Graciousness – Temecula Hills prioritizes God’s grace over theological uniformity and outward appearances. We will lay down our lives for the essentials of the historical Biblical Christian faith, but show patience and tolerance and strive towards unity in secondary issues. Our heart is to emulate Jesus, who never allowed social boundaries to be a barrier between Himself and broken sinners. (Eph 4:2-6; Rom 14; Jam 2:1-13; Mat 9:11-13)
- Missional
- Body-Life – Temecula Hills recognizes that God has gifted each member of our church body uniquely, and we believe we are most effective when each part is functioning rightly in concert with the rest of the body to build one another up. We value each member as able to make an important contribution and encourage one another to develop and use our Spirit-empowered gifts in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 12; Rom 12:4-8; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11)
- Gospel-Integrated Living – Temecula Hills believes that the Gospel of Jesus gives purpose to every sphere of life, from church-life to family to work—all we are and all we have. Therefore, rather than compartmentalizing our faith, we encourage one another to invite God’s Spirit into every aspect of our lives so that we might live for His purposes. (Rom 12:1; Tit 2:2-10; 1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17; Eph 5:18)
- Global Vision – Temecula Hills recognizes that God has commissioned believers to play an active role in reaching people from every tongue, tribe, and nation for Christ. This involves these people being personally attached to the Triune God and their growth towards maturity. Therefore, we believe that it is crucial that we see and reach out to our community and the world. (Mat 28:19-20; Act 1:8; Rom 10:14-15)