Core Value 4

We Embrace Authenticity

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

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Below are carefully curated resources for this core value. Check out all the books and other resource to help in your next step through your faith journey. You can also see all of our resources for ever one of our Core Values by clicking the button below.

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Core Value 4 We embrace authenticity

What is Biblical Accountability?

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Got Questions
What Does the Bible Say on the Importance of Accountability?

This webpage from Got Questions answers the question, "What does the Bible say on the

importance of accountability?"

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Core Value 4 We embrace authenticity

Work of the Holy Spirit

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Tony Evans
The Promise: Experiencing God's Greatest Gift - The Holy Spirit

Who's afraid of the Holy Spirit? According to Dr. Tony Evans, far too many Christians! Why

are so many believers afraid to experience the Holy Spirit's fullness? Can it be that: we

fear the well-publicized excesses of a few or we really don't know much about the Spirit?

Tony Evans says you don't need to fear the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, Evans writes, "If

you and I are going to live victorious Christian lives, we must understand that the Holy

Spirit's task is to enable us to experience the Christian life." It's the Spirit who lifts the

truth of Scripture off the page and explodes it into our lives. So if you long for a closer walk

with Christ and a new infusion of power for godly living, then you're ready for The Promise -

a deeper, biblical experience of the Holy Spirit.

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Got Questions
What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Our LivesToday?

This webpage from Got Questions answers the question, "What is the role of the Holy

Spirit in our lives today?"

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Core Value 4 We embrace authenticity

My Identity in Christ

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Conrad Hilario
Identity: Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes

You could describe the current state of our culture in two words, identity crisis. Many of

us are searching for something solid upon which to secure our identity. Some root their

identity in their race or ethnicity. Others take their sense of identity from their political

and social views. For a growing number, identity is determined by one's gender or

sexuality.

This problem of identity is nothing new. We have always tried to define ourselves by the

things we have or do. And yet, the issue with constructing our own identity is that it can

topple at any moment.

God solved this complicated problem with a simple solution. He's given us a new identity

in Christ. This gives us a stable anchor point to which we can attach our identity. Who we

are in Christ never changes because God's view of us never changes.

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Tony Evans
Kingdom Single

Single Christian, God has a key role for you in his kingdom!

Hopes. Fears. Dreams. Frustrations. You've likely experienced them all. But this stage of

your life can actually be one of the most exciting and productive in your walk with God.

The fact is, you're already complete in Christ, and he has important work for you to do.

In Kingdom Single, Dr. Tony Evans proves that while you're waiting for some things, God

wants you to be about his kingdom work, growing in your relationship with him and serving

his cause today. At the same time, you'll be increasingly prepared for whatever future

plans He has for you.

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Kenneth Boa
Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation

What does a relationship with God look like and how do we obtain it? It is vital for church

leaders to grapple seriously with this question, for pat answers no longer suffice. Lives

well-lived, not just words eloquently spoken, must become our response. The quality of

our relationship with God is what will influence the health, potency, and witness of the

church in an increasingly complex and hostile world.Designed for use as a college or

seminary course, Conformed to His Image helps us build our lives on a fully biblical

perspective. Exploring twelve approaches to Christian spirituality in depth, Dr. Kenneth

Boa corrects our tendency to pick and compartmentalize. Pointing the way instead to an

integrative, whole-life approach, Dr. Boa shows how each spiritual paradigm discussed is

just one important facet in the gem of authentic and powerful New Testament living.With

chapter overviews and objectives, questions for personal application, a glossary, and a

list of key terms, Conformed to His Image will prove a defining text for the student, pastor,

and church leader of today . . . and tomorrow. 12 Facets of the Complete Christian

LifeRelational Spirituality: Loving God Completely, Ourselves Correctly, and Others

CompassionatelyParadigm Spirituality: Cultivating an Eternal versus a Temporal

PerspectiveDisciplined Spirituality: Engaging in the Historical DifferencesExchanged Life

Spirituality: Grasping Our True Identity in ChristMotivated Spirituality: A Set of Biblical

IncentivesDevotional Spirituality: Falling in Love with GodHolistic Spirituality: Every

Component of Life under the Lordship of ChristProcess Spirituality: Being versus Doing,

Process versus ProductSpirit-Filled Spirituality: Walking in the Power of the SpiritWarfare

Spirituality: The World, the Flesh, and the DevilNurturing Spirituality: A Lifestyle of

Discipleship and EvangelismCorporate Spirituality: Encouragement, Accountability, and

Worship.

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Core Value 4 We embrace authenticity

Spiritual Warfare

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Mark Bubeck
The Adversary

Like it or not, Christians are engaged in an epic battle with Satan and his minions. Are you

prepared to fight? Highlighting the reality of the conflict and the hope available to

believers, Bubeck discusses the enemy's strategy, whether a Christian can be possessed,

the possibility of demonic affliction being passed down through families, and more.

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Priscilla Shirer
The Armor of God

As a believer in Jesus, you are in an invisible war every day. It's unseen and unheard, but it

affects your life and everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage,

your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny. Jesus has not

left you unarmed and the enemy always fails when he meets a woman properly dressed.

The Armor of God, more than merely a biblical description of the believer's inventory, is an

action plan for putting it on and developing a personalized strategy to secure victory.

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Francis Frangipane
The Three Battlegrounds

This book is an in-depth view of the three arenas of spiritual warfare which the maturing

Christian will face: the mind, the church and the heavenly places. It provides a foundation

of insight, wisdom and discernment on the nature of the battle and the keys to victory.

The Three Battlegrounds will serve as a companion for those serious prayer warriors and

leaders who are making preparations for the days ahead.

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Core Value 4 We embrace authenticity

Suffering

We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Dane Ortlund
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

Christians know what Jesus Christ has done—but who is he? What is his deepest heart for

his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is “gentle

and lowly in heart.” In Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund reflects on these words, opening

up a neglected yet central truth about who Jesus is for sinners and sufferers today.

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Michel Lee
Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense

What happens when the test comes back positive? The relationship ends? The dream

goes unfulfilled? The plans don’t move forward? Amid confusion, hurt, and anger, we

wonder where we went wrong. What is God doing?

In Even If, Mitchel Lee reminds us that while God does not promise a pain-free life, he

offers something better: his presence in the pain. No matter our circumstances, God is

worthy of our worship, and he can meet us even in our greatest difficulties.

Drawing on his own journey, Mitchel explores the compelling story of Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego in Daniel 3. These three men chose to worship God even if God didn’t

rescue them from the fire. From their example and countless others, we can do the same.

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Tim Keller
Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering

The question of why God would allow pain and suffering in the world has vexed believers

and nonbelievers for millennia. Timothy Keller, whose books have sold millions of copies

to both religious and secular readers, takes on this enduring issue and shows that there is

meaning and reason behind our pain and suffering, making a forceful and ground-

breaking case that this essential part of the human experience can be overcome only by

understanding our relationship with God.

As the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Timothy Keller is known for

his unique insights into religion and culture. Keller's series of books has guided countless

readers in their spiritual journeys. Walking with God through Pain and Suffering uses

biblical wisdom and personal stories of overcoming adversity to bring a much-needed,

fresh viewpoint to this important issue.

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More Core Values

Check out all 10 of our core values! We've got even more resources waiting for you—stick around and keep exploring.

  • Core Value 1 We exalt Jesus

    He is King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior and our God, and the object of our worship.

    Core Value 1
  • Core Value 2 We Focus on the Bible

    We love God’s word. As our source for truth, we teach it, study it, and apply it to our lives. When culture and Scripture conflict, we unapologetically go with God every time, sharing all truth ( even difficult truth ) in love and grace.

    Core Value 2
  • Core Value 3 We Make the Gospel Prominent and Clear

    Christianity is not about what we do for God, but about what God has done for us through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. We recognize the gospel of grace is our only hope, so we love it ad lift it high in all we do.

    Core Value 3
  • Core Value 4 We Embrace Authenticity

    We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

    Core Value 4
  • Core Value 5 We Choose Relational Communities

    Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

    Core Value 5
  • Core Value 6 We Champion Reconciliation

    As we embrace the gospel of reconciliation between God and man, we are freed to pursue reconciliation with one another. We passionately strive to protect the unity of the church, and grow in our love for one another that transcends race, culture, politics, and all that seeks to divide us.

    Core Value 6
  • Core Value 7 We Insist on Integrity

    The Church is both beautiful and imperfect. Sadly, the great message and ministry of the Church throughout history has been stained by lack of godly character. We strive for and safeguard integrity throughout all aspects of our ministry because Jesus values not only what we do, but how and why we do it.

    Core Value 7
  • Core Value 8 We Equip the Next Generation

    Our passion for ministering to kids and students is built upon a true partnership with parents and grandparents. Therefore, we’re committed to resource, encourage, and equip parents to train-up and disciple their kids in the context of hime, believing God designed the family as the primary place for discipleship.

    Core Value 8
  • Core Value 9 We Do Good Works That Lead to Great Work

    Our serving to meet practical needs in our communities is a joy and important “good work”. We do so in love for others and a desire to advance to the “great work” of sharing the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

    Core Value 9
  • Core Value 10 We Contribute Rather Than Consume

    Motivated by eternity that is set before us, we partner in ministry through generous giving and active serving. God doesn’t exist to serve us; we exist to serve Him. So, we are neither consumers nor spectators.

    Core Value 10

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