Core Values and Practices
We believe in the following values and practices at Celebrating Life Ministries, and seek to build them into the heart of all we do. Every member of the CLM team adheres to these values and practices at all times.
What we practise
We value all people, and believe that all people, including those who have not embraced the Christian faith, matter to God, and therefore ought to matter to the church and its ministries. This value includes the concepts of relational evangelism and evangelism as a process. The seeker will be given the freedom to investigate Christianity at his or her own pace.
Luke 5:30–32 · Luke 15 · Matthew 18:14We value cultural relevance, and believe that all ministries of the church should be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure. This value includes the concept of sensitively relating to our culture through various media formats. We believe that excellence honours God and inspires people, and so we also value the concepts of evaluation, review and intensity.
1 Corinthians 9:19–23 · Colossians 3:17 · Malachi 1:6–14 · Proverbs 27:17We value God’s Church, and believe it is a way of life, not an activity, event, building, or something we “go to.” It is a commitment each person makes to a seven day a week, twenty-four hour a day lifestyle. We will not “go” to church; we seek to “be” the church at all times, everywhere. At CLM, we value calling each member to this lifestyle. We find support and encouragement for this lifestyle in small groups.
We believe that Christ-followers should manifest authenticity and yearn for continuous growth. This value includes personal authenticity, character, and wholeness. We believe in the equal value and worth of all people regardless of gender, or economic, racial or ethnic status.
Ephesians 4:25–26, 32 · Hebrews 12:1 · Philippians 1:6We believe that the pursuit of full devotion to Christ and His cause is normal for every believer. This value includes the concepts of stewardship, servanthood, downward mobility, and the pursuit of kingdom goals.
1 Kings 11:4 · Philippians 2:1–11 · 2 Corinthians 8:7We value all aspects of the church, including Christian ministry and its missional expression, and believe that the church should operate as a unified community of servants, with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts. This value includes the concepts of unity, servanthood, spiritual gifts, and ministry callings.
1 Corinthians 12 and 14 · Romans 12 · Ephesians 4 · Psalm 133We believe ministry is defined as outreach and service to individuals or groups of people, motivated by the love of God, in order to show God’s love in a practical way as modelled by the practical ministry of Jesus Christ. Pastors and clergy are defined as those who have such outreach and service as the major focus of their passion, time and activity.
We believe the church and all its ministries should be led by men and women with leadership gifts. This value includes the concepts of empowerment, servant leadership, strategic focus, and intentionality. We believe all believers in Christ are created to invest somewhere in the disciple-making process.
Nehemiah 1–2 · Romans 12:8 · Acts 6:2–5We believe that life transformation happens best in small groups. This value includes the concepts of discipleship, vulnerability, and accountability.
Luke 6:12–13 · Acts 2:44–47We believe that loving relationships should permeate every aspect of church life. This value includes the concepts of love-driven ministry accomplished in teams, and relationship building.
1 Corinthians 13 · Nehemiah 3 · Luke 10:1 · John 13:34–35These are the practical standards. They are short on purpose, and they are what members are actually held to in the field.
Our primary focus is to build relationships with those to whom we minister. We believe if we can build relationships, we will then have a greater means of impact on their lives, as trust will be created.
We do all things with excellence at CLM. Remember to always give of yourself with nothing less than 100%.
Returning phone calls and getting back to inquiries and messages within 24 hours is imperative. A greater sense of confidence will be created if promptness is upheld.
Don’t be hard to get to know. If you are open, people will also be more open, which will enhance the effectiveness of ministry.
With so much skepticism regarding clergy, people need to know that those in our ministry are trustworthy and will not be pushy or rude. We need to demonstrate an amazing amount of integrity.
Always be on time.
Always tell the truth. Never embellish your story.
In all we do and say, we strive to adhere to biblical truth and principles. All of our decisions are to be run through the grid of biblical truth. This will enable us to make right choices regarding all aspects of ministry.
One of the hallmarks of CLM is our ability to impact people’s lives through the words we speak. We need to always be sharp, focused and inspired with the words we share.
How we present physically is just as important as how we present by way of our personality. We require maintenance of a high standard of personal hygiene, neatness, and deportment, behaving at all times decently and in order in all relationships connected with CLM.
Every member reads and agrees to these values, together with our statement of faith, before ordination and authorization. They are not negotiable and they do not change.