Mission & Values

Pursuing Christ Together

As God's children, we recognize that we have been made "alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5). Similarly, Christians have been "called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:2). This was God's eternal plan - for all Christian relationships to begin and continue within the Christ-centered grace of salvation. It is a true treasure to have friendships that continually grow in value, appreciation, and are forged together because of the love of Christ.

The Church

We believe the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ. It is a spiritual organism consisting of Christians. We believe the Church began at Pentecost and believers are a part of the Church because of the Holy Spirit. The church is not a place we attend, but rather it is the redeemed sons and daughters of God living in accordance with what He has called us to. (Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

Characteristics of the Church:

  • The church is doxological, it’s oriented to the glory of God.

  • The church is Word-centered. It’s centered on the incarnate Word, who is Jesus Christ, and the inspired Word: Scripture.
  • The church is to be Spirit-activated. It’s created, gifted, united, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

  • The church is covenantal. It exists in a new covenant relationship with God, and together, the members exist in a covenantal relationship with one another.

  • The church is confessional. Each member had a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Together the church confesses sound doctrine—what it believes about a triune God, Jesus Christ, the Son incarnate, and the Spirit.

  • The church is missional. It’s the body of divinely-called, divine ministers who proclaim the gospel throughout the world.

  • The church is here, but not here. It’s already, but not yet. We’re sojourners, we’re strangers. We’re pilgrims in this world. We enjoy walking with the Lord and doing his will now, but we look forward to something greater in the future.

Core Values:

A   ABIDE IN CHRIST

    "We anchor our lives in relationship with Jesus and His Word"

John 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine,

neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in

me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

B   BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

    "True faith not only saves us, but changes everything about us"

Mark 1:14-15 14

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying,

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. '

C   CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

     "We are God's chosen agents to fight for the faith raising up the next generation, reaching our community,

       and battling against the lies of the enemy."

Jude 1:3-4 3

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary

to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

D   DO LIFE TOGETHER

     "We don't attend a church on Sundays, we are the Body of Christ and live interconnected to one another"

Acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread

and the prayers.

E   EMBRACE GRACE

     "God's Love is so amazing - the benefits we receive as his children are beyond measure and we must constantly remind ourselves and the flock that they are true"

Ephesians 2:8–9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of

God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ

Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

PARTNERSHIP COVENANT

Having trusted in Christ alone as my Lord and Savior, and being in agreement with the Calling, Commitments, Convictions, Core Values, Beliefs, and Governance of The Falls Church, I now am called to unite with The Falls Church Family. In doing so, I commit myself to the Lord and to the other partners of the family to protect our unity, serve, and support the ministry of my church family

through pursuing:

Belonging to His body...

• by living life as a fully devoted follower of Christ

• by attending faithfully

• by dealing biblically with conflict and refusing to gossip

• by following the leadership in submitting myself to the care and correction of leadership should the need arise

• by praying for its health and impact

• by warmly welcoming those who visit The Falls Church and committing myself to community with those who attend

• by engaging in discipleship groups that will know me and help me as I seek to love God, love believers, and love unbelievers.

Helping others believe in Christ...

• by developing relationships with the unchurched, de-churched, dead-churched, and unmoved

• by sharing my story of grace with others

• by praying for the salvation of non-believers with whom I have a relationship with

Being trained in God's Truth...

• by committing myself to read, understand, and apply the Bible

• by affirming the inspiration, infallibility, and authority of God's Word, as well as the other core doctrines found in The Falls Church

Statement of Beliefs

• by availing myself to the tools and resources of the church which are designed to further my understanding of and deepen my commitment to applying God's Word

• by preparing myself to give a "ready defense" for my faith based on God's Word Being strong in a life of ministry and worship...

• by serving others in ministry

• by living and participating in Community with The Falls Church Family

• by committing to give graciously as God has graciously given to me