Waterbury Christian Fellowship's Core Values

At the Men's Meeting of December 8, 1997, it was decided that a paper should be compiled listing the core values that have been present by mutual agreement of all those involved in this work in the form of a group meeting for Bible study and fellowship, and more formally as a church beginning on September 7, 1997.  Since the intent of this document is not a doctrinal statement of our beliefs, but a historical record of how we have conducted ourselves to date because of our convictions learned in the Scriptures, the verses cited are brief, and should take us back to those fuller Scriptures and teaching upon which our convictions are founded. 

Breaking of Bread:  A weekly time to remember the Lord with worship & praise given by the saints; the men taking part publicly as led  by the Holy Spirit. ( I Cor 11:14 )

Children’s Work:  A balance of discipleship and outreach with the spiritual training of assembly children of first  priority. (Acts 16:30-34)

Discipleship:  Ongoing and active that is initiated by older believers toward younger first, and by request of younger second. ( Matt 28:19, 20 )

Equipping:  There is NO clergy-laity division.  The gifts and abilities of the saints supply the working of the assembly. ( Eph 4:11-16 )

Giving:  Is free will and cheerful; needs may be made known within the assembly but there is no asking or begging.  Collections are not  taken. ( II Cor 9:7 )

Grievances:  Personal differences are addressed in obedience to Matt 18: private > plural > public action. ( Matt 18:15-20 )

Leadership:  By a plurality; ordinarily leading the group according to the believers' collective sense of God’s will. ( Titus 1:5-9 )

Meetings:  Patterned after Acts 2:24, with all 4 elements having equal importance and none raised above others in value.

Membership:  Is in the body of Christ; expressed locally by fellowship in the assembly.  There is no WCF membership. ( I Cor 12:12; I Jn 1:3 )

Ministry to Needy:  Taught and practiced as a crucial work of the assembly using assembly funds. ( Gal 2:10 )

Missions:  In addition to personal stewardship, the assembly is involved in the prayerful support of servants, both at home and abroad.  

( Phil 4:15-17; II Cor 9:6 )

Outreach:  The gospel is to be taught to the saints and then taken out into the world.  The assembly meets for the family functions of  Acts 2:42. Occasionally, special outreach programs are held. ( Mk 16:15; Ps 126:6 )

Partiality:  Practical observance of James 2; the young, the new, those poor and needy, people from all races & cultures are welcomed with love.

Reception:  Every person saved by grace, and by their own testimony walking in fellowship with God, is welcomed to fellowship and to partake at the Lord’s Table. ( Rom 15:7; 16:2 )

Scripture:  Final authority; sufficient in all matters of faith and practice. (We try to distinguish between nonscriptural and unscriptural)  ( II Tim 3:16, 17 )

Small Groups:  Form an integral part of assembly life, and may include (at their discretion) all 4 items mentioned in Acts 2:42; Acts  20:20.

Visitation:  Responsibility of all especially those leading.  Every person or family in fellowship to receive at least one quality visit per  year.  ( James 1:27; Prov 27:23 )