We express our commitment to recognize the unity of all true believers inherent in our common source of spiritual life through the Holy Spirit. It is our desire to engage in fellowship, expressions of unity and joint ministry with all true believers, churches, and parachurch organizations to the extent we share common beliefs, values, practices and goals. It is our desire to actively engage in ministry across racial and ethnic lines. We also value functioning as bridgebuilders in the Christian community.

In the constitution of Grace Network, we express four words that we believe describe our churches: ‘Evangelical, Reformed, Charismatic, and Apostolic.’ These four words express our values and form the acrostic ‘CARE.’

CHARISMATIC

APOSTOLIC

REFORMED

EVANGELICAL

CHARISMATIC

By ‘Charismatic’ we mean that we are committed to the present day demonstration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in the first Epistle to the Corinthians and in the Book of Acts. Our posture is to encourage the exercise of such expressions in our public gatherings as the Spirit inspires and directs their use.

APOSTOLIC

By ‘Apostolic’ we understand that we are committed to following the Apostles’ doctrine and practice as described in the New Testament. The objective of the apostles was to see churches planted. This ‘apostolic’ gift is functional today. In expression of this, we will promote high quality ministry to provide support and resources to equip the leadership of member churches. We will also extend the gospel with power, compassion and relevance through church planting and mission projects which engage in church planting or pastoral training.

REFORMED

By ‘Reformed’ we understand that we share a common committment to the truths that were reclaimed by the Reformation. While we do not wish to perpetuate animosity aroused by the disputes of the Reformation, we are convinced of the primacy of the ‘Doctrines of Grace.’ These include: the need for God’s grace to draw us and convince us of the truth of the Gospel, that justification is received by faith and that good works will follow our reception of the Gospel and that, because of the sufficiency of God’s grace, we will be kept and enabled to endure to the end. Moreover, we hold to the sole, absolute authority of the Bible. These concepts will also be expressed by earnest, loyal and accountable relationships with each other in the context of grace, spiritual authority and spiritual unity. Spiritual authority is given by God, but is solely dependant on the recognition and voluntary submission by those governed. The local autonomy of each congregation is fully recognized and heartily supported.

We embrace each local church as self governing and led by Elders. These men have the responsibility and final say in matters regarding the spiritual and governmental oversight of each church.

We value the opportunity to relate to the leadership of one another’s churches. We value earnest, loyal, and accountable relationships and the unity that the Holy Spirit brings.

We recognize the spiritual leadership of the directors of the network to give oversight and direction to the network and to counsel churches and their leaders. Their spiritual authority is given by God, but is solely dependant on voluntary submission.

EVANGELICAL

By ‘Evangelical’ we understand that we are committed to the Historic truths of the faith, including the inspiration and infallibility of Scripture, the deity of Christ, His virgin birth and miracles, His penal death for our sins, and His physical resurrection and personal return. We also believe that receiving Christ is a decision that we actively call people to make. We also include the proclamation of the Gospel as the means that God has chosen to use to win those who are separated from Himself.