Maple Grove Community Church

"Touch Stone" 1. A stone formerly used to test the purity of gold or silver. 2. Any test of genuineness.

-- Webster's New World Dictionary

Every success is measured. Whether in distance, height, volume or time, if it is a real success, it is measured. The same is true in ministry. Therefore, Maple Grove Community Church has developed a measuring tool that helps us gauge success. It is called our Ministry Touchstone.

The MGCC Ministry Touchstone is a tool that is both biblical and relevant. We use to insure our efforts remain pure and genuine, according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

There are five statements:

Statement of Purpose
Statement of Values
Statement of Strategy
Statement of Membership
Statement of Doctrine

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of Maple Grove Community Church is to dream, design, create and carry out ministry that will fulfill God’s greatest commandments: “Love God and Love people.” (Matthew 22:34-40)

We are certain that if we are faithful to this calling, people will believe that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

Our vision is, “Love God. Love People. It’s That Simple.”

Statement of Values

In order to accomplish this purpose, certain core values must be shared by all. These values focus on fellowship with God, personal growth, and meeting the needs of others. Maple Grove Community Church will be a center of empowerment so that every person may develop abundance in faith and in life. (John 10:10) The values we share are:

Worship designed to honor God and inspire people.

Wisdom through teaching that is Bible-centered and relevant to life.

Community to be supportive, positive and active in each other’s lives.

Outreach that is compassionate, dynamic and committed to expanding the influence of Christ.

Statement of Strategy

To move from purpose and values into action, we believe that careful strategy is important. To maintain the highest level of integrity and success, Maple Grove Community Church is committed to the following strategies and will remain committed to these values:

Empowering Leadership to equip, support and motivate individuals to become all that God wants them to be.

Gift-Oriented Ministry to help each person develop and serve according to spiritual giftedness, personality, talent and passion God has given them.

Passionate Spirituality that demonstrates that faith is actually lived out with commitment, fire, and enthusiasm.

Functional Structures that insures each program, service and appointment is governed by purpose, not tradition.

Inspiring Worship Service designed to celebrate our God, express our love, and center our lives on faith.

Holistic Small Groups where individual Christians find intimate community, practical help and vibrant spiritual interaction.

Need-Oriented Evangelism that shares the gospel in a way that meets the questions and needs of the lost.

Living Relationships that are authentic, practical and empowered by the love Christ demonstrates to us.

Statement of Membership

In order to bond together as the Body of Christ, we believe that membership with one another is vital. Membership at Maple Grove Community Church requires of each person:

1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ
2. Faithfulness in worship
3. Responsibility in ministry
4. Support financially

Statement of Doctrine

Maple Grove Community Church has a rich heritage of firm Bible teaching. We do not accept doctrinal traditions, nor do we seek to harmonize the Word of God with social standards. Thus we stand solid on these basic doctrines:

God
God is the Father, Creator and only true God. (I Corinthians 8:6)

Jesus
Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Chosen One). He is the Son of God, born of woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. His life, death and resurrection were all given according to God’s plan to reconcile man to Himself. He is the one and only way for man to know and serve God. (John 20:31)

Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God active and at work in the lives of all believers. (Romans 5:5; 8:9)

Grace
God’s single most important accomplishment is that he loved us while we were yet sinners. Through His grace we can share in this great accomplishment to know, love, seek and serve the lost. (Ephesians 2:8, John 3:16)

Bible
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is the wisdom of God that reveals the proper order and purpose for our life. We look to the Bible to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness. (I Timothy 3:16)

Kingdom of God
The central message of the ministry of Christ is the Kingdom of God that is to be established on the earth. Presently we experience the confidence and abundance of the Kingdom on earth. This Kingdom will be established fully at the return of Christ to the earth. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Baptism
Water baptism through immersion is an act of obedience that expresses your belief and trust in Christ as your personal savior. Baptism symbolizes to God and all who witness, the death of the old person and the rising from death to live a life in Christ. (Mark 16:16)

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.