Core Values and Practices
Introduction
We believe that all spiritually effective ministry grows out of a life lived in the Presence of God, and by His enabling Power.
This is the life of the Disciple. Discipleship is more than acquiring biblical knowledge, but is an intimate following of
Jesus Christ wherever He leads. The primary task of a disciple is to be with Jesus in a daily relationship, understanding
that all ministry and spiritual fruit is a result of abiding in Christ. To follow Jesus Christ means to become like Him and,
consequently, to be used by Him. The call to every believer to go and make disciples involves evangelism to the spiritually lost,
intentional establishing of new believers, equipping disciples for ministry, and releasing disciple makers back into the world.
Scriptures: Mark 3:14 , Matthew 4:19, John 15:1-8, Matthew 28:19-20
Mariposa Christian Fellowship views discipleship as the key to all the listed core values and functions of the church. We will
be intentional in calling all people into a daily relationship with Jesus Christ. This means that each person would respond to God’s
call for salvation and for daily listening to God through Bible reading and speaking to God through prayer. We will strive to involve
people in a consistent discipleship environment such as a small group or one-on-one relationship. We will be deliberate in developing
leaders through evaluated experiences, training, small groups, and one-on-one mentoring. We will also pray that the Lord will call
people from Mariposa Christian Fellowship who will respond by going and making disciples as full-time church planters and missionaries.
Scriptures: Matthew 4:19 and 28:19-20, Mark 3:13-15, John 15:1-8, 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 John 2:6.
Within the over-arching work of Discipleship, then, Our Core Values and Practices are:
The Centrality, Supremacy and Preeminence of Jesus Christ
Perhaps the greatest need of our time is for a return of God's People to a careful consideration of Jesus Christ Himself. We don't need religion; we need a Savior and Lord.
A preoccupation with Him and His superlative triumph on the cross is the answer to all false teaching and errant behavior in the Church. The Lord and His honor will be central
in all activities of Mariposa Christian Fellowship, including worship, preaching, small groups, family ministry, children's ministry, and outreach.
Scriptures: John 3:29, John 5:39, Colossians 1:18, 2:8-19
The Primacy of the Word of God
There are many techniques being used today to attract men and women to the Sunday morning meetings of the Church. What is often missing is the faithful preaching
of the Word of God, and the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ. At Mariposa Christian Fellowship, our objective will be to always have the Word of God "front and center."
We will constantly cry out to God to enable the Word to be proclaimed "in demonstration of the Spirit and power," so that lives would be radically transformed. One
effect of this committment is that the preaching on Sundays will be expository in nature, so that we would "not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."
Scriptures: Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Colossians 1:25, 2 Timothy 4:1-2
The Necessity of Prayer
Nothing of eternal significance can be accomplished in and for the Kingdom of God, without prayer. It is our firm resolve to cover all aspects of the ministry at Mariposa Christian
Fellowship with much prayer. Prayer demonstrates the reality of our dependence on God for Him to work; in our congregation, our immediate community, our society, and the world.
We believe in the power of asking in Jesus's name, and in the authority of unified prayer. Therefore, we will establish, as the Lord leads, times and places for corporate prayer.
Scriptures: Matthew 18:18-20, Matthew 21:22, Luke 18:1, John 14:12-14, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, James 5:16
The Grace of God
We value the unconditional love of God, the forgiveness offered through the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, and the enabling of the Holy Spirit for life and ministry, all given as a free gift. We will strive to proclaim and model an
environment of grace where people will allow God to deal with their sins and weaknesses, and be gracious, patient, and kind as God works in other's lives.
Scriptures: Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9, 4:1-2 Colossians 3:8-14, 4:6
A Daily Relationship with God in Word and Prayer
Our supreme personal pursuit is to glorify God and enjoy Him through a personal relationship. Critical to this pursuit is daily personal time with the Lord
in the Word of God and prayer. The Bible is God’s inspired Word revealed to mankind that is intended to be read, studied, memorized, meditated
upon, proclaimed, and obeyed. Prayer is a powerful gift of communication with the Lord. It demonstrates a life of dependence on God, communion with
God, and trust in God. Daily time with God is a mark of spiritual maturity. Priority will be placed on daily individual and corporate time of prayer
and Bible reading. Scriptures: Ezra 7:10, Psalm 111:10, Matthew 22:37, Luke 11:1-4, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Every Believer a Minister Rather than a clergy-laity system, we value the “priesthood of all believers” meaning all Christians
are to be trained and equipped to do the work of the ministry. God desires each believer to use his or her unique spiritual gifts in service for Him and
to others. This will result in the mobilizing of disciples who are able to make disciples and the multiplying of leaders for God’s work. We will strive
to see everyone involved at Mariposa Christian Fellowship discipled in the faith and encouraged toward the privilege of ministry.
Scriptures: Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Peter 2:5, 9, 4:10 -11.
All Nations Reached with the Gospel
Our commission from God is to go into all the nations to make disciples. All believers are to be “on mission” to do their part in reaching their community,
city, nation, and world for Jesus Christ. We will strive to disciple and release men and women for the work of the gospel in practical service, short and
long-term mercy trips, and church planting. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8.
Building up Godly Families
We value God-honoring marriages and parenting, understanding this to be each person’s ministry priority. We also value relationships with extended family.
We hold sexuality to be a gift in marriage between one man and one woman, life is a gift from God that begins at conception and should be protected, and that
parents are responsible for a child’s upbringing in mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual arenas. We recognize that godly families are a
tremendous testimony and influence in our culture. As a result, the discipleship process will include instruction in the marriage relationship and child-rearing.
Additionally, the activities of Mariposa Christian Fellowship will include family friendly events. Scriptures: Psalm 139:14-16, Luke 2:52 ,
1 Corinthians 6:9, Ephesians 5:22-6:4.
Plurality of Elder Leadership
We view biblical church leadership to be a Christ-centered submissive plurality of elders rather than a head pastor leadership structure. Out of their submissiveness
to Jesus Christ, elders are to be submissive to one another as peer leaders charged to shepherd the church. Elders must be men who meet the standards found in
Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9) and model the Fruit of the Spirit. They are to be servant leaders, entreatable, full of faith, courage, and spiritual strength.
Scripture: Luke 22:26 , Acts 14:23, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 13:7.
Movement Mindset
The kingdom of God is always advancing, never static. God’s people are not called to seek comfort, but rather to align their purposes radically with His. Mariposa
Christian Fellowship will work toward leadership development and empowerment to release God’s people into kingdom-advancing ministry. We will partner with other
churches and ministries in Gospel outreach, and strive to plant additional churches across our region and around the world. Scripture: Matthew 11:12
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