Harvest Evangelical Free Church

• Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

• All our ministries will be biblically based and supported by a strong base of prayer, thereby expressing our total dependence upon God.
• Since the concerted purpose of our church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, every ministry and program of the church will be evaluated on that basis, modifying or discontinuing ministries that are ineffective.
• We see evangelism as the starting point and indispensable catalyst to all disciple-making.. We will be prepared to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our lifestyles, testimonies, and acts of love.
• Worship will be God-glorifying; varying in style; edifying for believers, yet sensitive to seekers.
• Our church will train, encourage and empower attendees to be active and creative in using their spiritual gift(s) and resources to make disciples.
• The members of our church body will seek to develop close personal relationships with one another for the purpose of helping others grow in their walk with Christ.
• We seek to maintain a healthy balance between gathering in larger groups (70 or above in size), middle-sized groups (around 20-70 in size), and smaller groups (12 and under). Since all three sized groups are essential to the disciple-making process, every believer is encouraged to be involved at all three levels.
• Our church will gather in larger groups primarily for the purposes of: worship and praise, proclamation of the Word, outreach, and promoting unity.
• Our church will gather in middle-sized groups primarily for the purposes of: fellowship, the study and application of God's Word, assimilation of attendees, prayer and outreach.
• Our church will gather in smaller groups primarily for the purposes of: more intimate fellowship, the study and application of God's Word, care for one another, and accountability in the essential spiritual habits. Some smaller groups will be focused on outreach.
• Our church desires to equip families to live godly lives so that they might pass on the love of Jesus Christ to their children, and to generations beyond.
• Our church desires to support and co-labor with the pastoral staff to accomplish our church's goals and vision.
• Our vision is to reproduce ourselves through church planting and disciple-making efforts; in our communities, in our district, and world-wide.

This Guiding Principles statement will be pursued with grace for the first 12 months, and will take full effect on December 8, 2000.

This Guiding Principles statement will be as binding as our Bylaws and can be amended in the same manner as our Bylaws.