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It is not uncommon in churches for there to be a mindset that exists that there are jobs to do and each job or position must be filled. This pattern elevatates structure over relationship, resulting in people being burned out and exhausted from multiple meetings at the church. In the early days of the church, we made the decision to build from relationship to structure rather than from structure to relationship. This means that we value people over performance. Spiritual maturity is not defined by how busy we are, but by the depth of our life in God. This relational lifestyle and approach has developed over time and is defined by what we call "relational values". These values help us to relate to one another with love and integrity. Below are the relational values we strive for:
Teaching / Tolerance:
Teachability - We all have things to learn from one another. No one has the perfect revelation of God. At best we see, know and prophecy in part and see through a glass darkly.
(2 Tim 3:14 NIV) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
Tolerance - Tolerance is living in the community of faith as imperfect human beings in possession of a perfect gospel.
(2 Cor 4:7 NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Honesty / Transparency:
Honesty - comes as we open our lives for accountability and input from those that have the spiritual watch over our lives. We postion ourselves to be asked hard questions about our lives, and by doing so we provide ourselves opportunities to deepen our relationship with God.
Transparency - is the freedom to allow our hearts to be known.
This transparency happens in the context of a “safe place” for people to be real and allow their defenses to be dropped.
We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God (2 Cor 4:2 MSG Bible)
Trust / Loyalty:
Trust - is the choice to believe God will change each of us from the inside out.
(Phil 1:6) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Loyalty - is the willingness to extend graceful tolerance to one another as the good work is being finished.
We can provide covering and protection.
Loyalty is not excusing behavior and actions that are out of line with the principles of the scripture.
Hope / Endurance
Hope - is the expectation for change and the belief that encounters with God will change the way we look at life and how we respond to the situations of life.
The foundation of hope is that we live by faith, not by sight.
Endurance - is the understanding that we are going to be in the process for the long haul.
The message Bible says: “Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into an occasional hard time”. (MSG Bible 2 Cor 4:1)
Discipline / Diligence
Discipline - is the process of putting yourself in a place where God can move in your life.
1 Tim 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
A disciplined life puts you in a place where you encounter God and his power.
Diligence - Diligence is the part of us that sticks to the process until we see growth occur and the ways of the kingdom established in our lives
Hebrews 12:1 says “ Strip down, start running and never quit (MSG Bible)
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| Links | | Church of the Nations | | www.cotn.org
Bykota Ministries is a member of Church of the Nations, a worldwide family of over 2000 churches. [More] | | | High Tower Ministries | | www.hightowerministries.net
The Benz Family are members of Bykota Ministries who have moved to Cambodia to work in the mission field. | | | Bykota House | | www.bykotahouse.org
Bykota House is a cooperation between Bykota Ministries, High Tower Ministries, and Church of the Nations. The vision of BYKOTA House is to provide the children with a safe place to live and the opportunity to be part of the family. |
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