PART C: OUR PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE

We believe God calls the church to be an authentic community.

1. Individuals will be included quickly and deliberately.

2. We practice reciprocal grace, accountability, and support; treating others the way we wish to be treated.

3. Individual purposes and ministries work in relationships of “mutual submission,” not in competition with, or in isolation from, one another. We believe that God desires to see each person fulfilling their purpose and functioning in their giftings.

a. Individuals have a responsibility to identify their purpose and grow in their giftings.

b. We will offer mentoring and ministry opportunities which allow people to try walking out their purpose and giftings in the context of Crossfire’s community.

c. Mistakes, difficulties, thoughtful experimentation, and successes will be taken as learning opportunities.

d. We are a permission-giving church, empowering individuals to walk out their call in the community of Crossfire.

We believe that in the same way God has entrusted us with the administration of His grace to others:

1. We are to entrust people with ministry opportunities. (God is at work in them just as He is at work in us.)

2. We are to trust that the Holy Spirit at work in them will help them grow to maturity in their character and ministry, but we will not make maturity a pre-requisite for all ministry.

We believe that although God does not cause all situations, He is capable of bringing good out of all situations, including those in the past of each individual.

1. Counselling and mentoring will be available to help people discover God’s shaping of character, skills, creativity, and abilities through the events in their lives.

We believe our leadership – staff/volunteers – are primarily equippers who give away ministry by inviting people into ministry, mentoring people in ministry, and entrusting people with ministry.