GCI’s churches and members strive to live out the following values, leading to the multiplication of followers of Jesus across the globe.
Inclusive
We are physically inclusive. That inclusivity means we are visibly diverse, open and welcoming.
Passionate
We are emotionally passionate. We push ourselves to be emotionally courageous and convinced and to grow deeper in understanding.
Intentional
We are intellectually intentional. That intention can be seen in the way we thoughtfully engage our faith and how we place value on the education of our clergy.
Loving
We are socially loving and express this as hopefulness, graciousness, and overflowing toward others.
Genuine
We are spiritually generous and strive to remain stable, honest, and humble as we engage with the communities that surround us.
These values are the foundational principles upon which we base our spiritual lives and pursue our mission to live and share the gospel. Those values are expressed in the following areas of emphasis:
We emphasize our identity in Christ.
As Christians, we’ve been given a new identity in Jesus Christ. As his followers, we have been given everything we need in him. Jesus promised he would never forsake or leave us.
We emphasize bringing glory to the name of Christ.
Jesus, who died for us and loves us, calls us to glorify him in every part of our life’s experience. Knowing we are secure in his love; we are a people committed to glorifying him in all our relationships and activities. Whatever opportunities, challenges, or crises we face, we are forever committed to bringing glory and honour to Jesus Christ.
We emphasize sound biblical doctrine.
We believe that the essential doctrines of historic Christianity are those upon which the Christian faith is based, and which have been generally agreed upon in the experience of the Christian church. We believe that doctrinal disagreement on peripheral matters, while inevitable, should not be allowed to foster division within the body of Christ.
We emphasize missional living.
Paul wrote: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). People enter God’s kingdom by responding to the gospel. Today, in GCI, by the grace of God, the witness to his coming kingdom is advancing. People are accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and King. They are repenting – turning to Jesus and joining him in bearing signs of his coming eternal kingdom.
We emphasize the present and active work of the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit leads and enables Christians to live a godly and obedient life in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. The Spirit gifts believers to join in the active work of the church. Every Christian can help in significant ways, according to the gifts provided by the Holy Spirit, to advance the mission of the church [or the proclamation of the Gospel] of God. The Lord calls his people into church fellowships so they can work together, with and for each other (Ephesians 4:16). Every Christian is called to make a difference for the worship of and witness to God in the name of Jesus Christ.
We emphasize the communion of Church life
The Church was founded by Jesus, and he remains the active living head of the church. United with Christ we are united with one another. In GCI we heed the encouragement of Hebrews to continue to assemble and share in the intersection of our lives.
We emphasize the priesthood of believers.
Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). All members — men, women, and children — are ministers of the grace of God. In other words, ordained career ministers are not the only ministers — rather, they are called to leadership for the specific purposes of preaching and teaching the Word of God and for the administration of equipping all members for Christian leadership and works of ministry.
We emphasize heartfelt worship
Because we are created to bring glory to God, we believe in praise that is culturally sensitive and relevant. We strive to worship God through a variety of meaningful worship styles and occasions, blending traditional and contemporary ways that bring glory to the name of the Lord.
We emphasize prayer
Prayer is an essential part of the believer’s life in Christ and is an important part of both public and private worship. We believe that prayer leads to God’s intervention in our lives.
We emphasize stewardship
God’s people are stewards of his gifts, including our resources of time, energy, and finances. He calls us to share generously what he gives us to further the gospel and serve others, just as he has been generous in his grace toward us. Many members practice tithing and giving offerings as a form of Christian stewardship and worship.