Great Lakes Church is a diverse community. We are all over the map when it comes to demographics, interests, political views, and more.
With that in mind, we’ve defined our 5 core values, and broken down our beliefs into 3 categories: essential, non-essential, and preferences.
With that in mind, we’ve defined our 5 core values, and broken down our beliefs into 3 categories: essential, non-essential, and preferences.
Our core values: The 5 G's
The heartbeat of Great Lakes Church can be traced back to 5 simple values that start with the letter G:
Grace, Groups, Growth, Gifts, and Generosity.
Grace, Groups, Growth, Gifts, and Generosity.
Essential Beliefs
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
-Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT)
-Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT)
Essential beliefs are non-negotiable and unmoving. They are the basic elements that make up and characterize our faith. Historically, these beliefs have been summarized in formal statements known as creeds. Many early church leaders did this in order to express and articulate their faith.
Two of the most popular creeds are THE APOSTLES' CREED & THE NICENE CREED
Two of the most popular creeds are THE APOSTLES' CREED & THE NICENE CREED
Non-Essential Beliefs
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with- even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
-Romans 14:1 (MSG)
-Romans 14:1 (MSG)
We value intellectual honesty, which means there will naturally be some disagreement over issues we refer to as non-essential beliefs. These are beliefs that the Bible is silent on or is unclear about. They include the age of the earth, political views, gender roles, end times theology, consumption of alcohol or tobacco, and infant vs. adult baptism.
If the Bible is unclear as to what Christians should believe about a particular subject, we consider it non-essential and are comfortable with people having different views.
If the Bible is unclear as to what Christians should believe about a particular subject, we consider it non-essential and are comfortable with people having different views.
Preferences
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
-1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)
-1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)
All of us come from different backgrounds and cultures where we have developed certain beliefs or become accustomed to a way of thinking. These are called preferences.
At Great Lakes Church, there are many things that we do in a certain way because we think it’s good or efficient, or we just like it like that. This includes the color we paint our walls, the type of music we choose and the way we structure our weekly services. Every church is filled with people who sacrifice their preferences for the greater mission, and Great Lakes Church is no exception.
The person sitting next to you may be dressed differently, sing loudly as they lift their hands to the sky, or not sing at all. At Great Lakes Church, that’s not important. What is important is that we are all committed to showing love and grace to each other.
At Great Lakes Church, there are many things that we do in a certain way because we think it’s good or efficient, or we just like it like that. This includes the color we paint our walls, the type of music we choose and the way we structure our weekly services. Every church is filled with people who sacrifice their preferences for the greater mission, and Great Lakes Church is no exception.
The person sitting next to you may be dressed differently, sing loudly as they lift their hands to the sky, or not sing at all. At Great Lakes Church, that’s not important. What is important is that we are all committed to showing love and grace to each other.
Summary
In essential beliefs, we have to have unity (Ephesians 4:4-5).
In non-essential beliefs, we have to have liberty (Romans 14-15).
In all our beliefs, we have to have love (1 Corinthians 13).
In non-essential beliefs, we have to have liberty (Romans 14-15).
In all our beliefs, we have to have love (1 Corinthians 13).