The leadership culture of The Cross Fellowship will always be guided by the following values and commitments. Leaders will be accountable for faithfulness to these values and commitments. For each leaders’ value and commitment there is a corresponding members’ value and commitment with the same number.

1. Preaching and Teaching

All our preaching and teaching will interpret and explain the Bible:

• Simply: Using language and illustrations that teach even the deepest truths in a way that can be understood by children.

• Practically: The Bible’s truths will be connected to real life showing its relevance to our modern times in areas such as work, ethics, and relationships.

• Personally: God’s Word will be applied both to comfort and to challenge us as individuals.

• Evangelistically: The message of salvation by grace, through Jesus Christ alone, will be continually preached, not only for the salvation of the lost, but also as the fuel for the Christian life.

2. Worship

Our worship will be:

• God-glorifying: As pleasing God is more important than pleasing people, songs will be carefully chosen for their faithfulness to Scripture and their suitability in public worship.

• Inter-generational: By using traditional and modern psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we want to ensure all ages participate in worship, whatever our personal preferences.

• United: While we will use the musical gifts of our members to lead us in worship, our aim will be the whole congregation singing together in worship.

• Balanced: Our worship will reflect the biblical balance of lament and joy in the Christian life.

3. Fellowship

We will prioritize building spiritual friendships. We will do this by:

• Welcoming visitors.

• Connecting the disconnected.

• Bringing together singles and families.

• Providing small groups and Bible Studies.

• Organizing social events.

• Hosting fellowship meals.

• Extending hospitality in our homes.

• Planting churches when our growth hinders true fellowship in our church family.

4. Servant Leadership

We will be led by biblically qualified elders and deacons. Our leadership will be characterized by:

• Service: We will lead by humble service.

• Transparency: We will not hide or conceal but rather communicate as much as possible about leadership decisions.

• Independence: We are committed to being an independent church led by local elders who know the members and their situation best.

• Grace: Realizing our imperfection and need of helpful correction, we will put the Gospel into practice by apologizing and seeking forgiveness when we make wrong decisions.

• Training: Our leaders will be committed to ongoing education in character, convictions, and competence.

5. Discipleship

As we believe every Christian should be growing in godliness, grace, and gifts, we will:

• Supply discipleship resources to our members.

• Encourage and support mentoring and discipleship relationships between members.

• Provide accountability structures where required.

• Encourage volunteers to use their gifts to serve in various roles rather than hire additional staff.

• Train in evangelism so that our members can be effective witnesses in their personal lives.

• As part of discipling the nations, we will encourage members to support missionaries and participate in short-term and long-term missions as God calls.

6. Christian Education

We will provide Christian education for the children in the Fellowship through Sunday school, catechism classes, youth organizations, and other resources.

We will support families in their weekday education choices, but we will strongly encourage Christian education (including home schools) and will provide tuition support to assist families in need.

7. Conflict Resolution

We will follow Matthew 18:15-17 in all discipline and conflicts (unless criminal conduct is involved).

8. Stewardship

We will be faithful stewards of the tithes and offerings of God’s people by:

• Keeping our expenses down.

• Encouraging volunteers.

• Supporting individuals and organizations dedicated to ministering God’s Word to the lost – locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Benevolence: Providing for widows, orphans, single parent families, and others in need within the community of faith, and then in the wider community.

9. Caring

While showing compassion to the needy, we will prioritize the care of those suffering with mental illness and those who have special needs, as well as those who care for them.

10. Prayer

As all of the above depends on God alone, we commit to pray regularly for our members, for the wider community, and for faithfulness to all these commitments.