The Values of Tri-City Baptist Church

This word derives from the Latin word describing the quality of the Roman soldier’s breastplate. Every morning the centurion would line up his men in full uniform and they would slap their breastplate and say, "integer". The Roman soldier was asserting that his breastplate was strong and could withstand the difficulties of combat. Integrity means "wholeness" or "soundness". Our ministry will, first and foremost, be a place of integrity. By God’s grace we will have integrity as we deal with people as well as problems and finances. Without true spiritual wholeness or soundness, no matter how large or great the ministry, all "spiritual" work will be burned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is in His presence we wish to be accepted. This is why integrity is such an important issue with us (II Corinthians 5:9-10).

Teamwork refers to our lack of "silos" or "fiefdoms" in the ministry at Tri-City. Fiefdoms occur when people narrowly focus on their own ministries, their own goals, their own systems. We are unique because of the various ministries that most churches do not have. In addition to "normal" ministries of a church such as the youth group, college group, ladies, men, etc., we are also the headquarters for a worldwide mission agency, a pre-school, a Christian academy, and a Bible college; thus it might be easy for our ministry to devolve into "protecting turf". Jesus tells us in Mark 10:45 that He did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for all of us. He was not about "turf". Again, in I Corinthians 12 we are told that we are many parts, but all one body. It is imperative that we live out a value system that respects the team’s achieving its goal of conforming people to Christ’s image and not elevating any one person or ministry as a superstar.

Psalm 51:17 beautifully portrays David’s brokenness; he records, after his sin with Bathsheba, that a broken and contrite heart will never be despised by God. Christ portrays this attitude in Matthew 5:3 when He bestows a blessing on those who are "poor in spirit". Christ models this attitude when He washes the disciples feet in John 13, and Paul reinforces this spirit when he refers to himself as a "slave" of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:1). Both James and Peter declare that God resists the proud man, but gives grace to the humble man. A true humbleness and brokenness over sin and our own inability to please God will produce the graces of Christ-likeness in our lives.

Paul talks about the handling of finances in II Corinthians 8. He is adamant that they be handled by many men of consequence to insure adequate accountability and transparency in the delivery of the money to Jerusalem. We are also encouraged to submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21), bear the burdens of others in the church (Galatians 6:2), and to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16). Many today wish to "do" church in their own way. They claim they have been hurt in other churches and do not want to commit themselves lest they be "hurt" again. Certainly, one should take the time to completely research a church before joining. For example, no matter how long a couple dates, or, sadly, even lives together, they still learn many things about each other after marriage. The same is true of joining a church. No marriage is perfect. No person is perfect. And certainly no church is perfect. But even with those imperfections, God commands us to be involved in accountability relationships with others in a local church. The real reason why most will not join a church is that they wish to avoid the accountability that church membership entails. We believe in accountability both to God and to others.

Jude tells us that some who have compassion can make a difference (Jude 22). Christ repeatedly reflected on the fact that He had compassion on those around Him who were lost or hurting (Matthew 6:34). Any biblical ministry must follow the pattern of our Lord and be moved with compassion on those who are entangled in the ramifications of sin’s consequences. Our calling is to be moved with compassion on those around us who are like sheep without a shepherd. We are not fulfilling the example of the Master until we see those around as He saw them: people in need of a Savior (Luke 19:10). We are a people called to those who are hurting and in need of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.