Mission & Vision
Warren is a community of believers surrendered to the authority of Jesus Christ and dedicated to advancing the gospel together in our neighborhoods and around the world as we make disciples and multiply disciple-makers.
At Warren, we are about a way of life that embraces the following core values described in Acts 2:42-47.
Worship Through the Word
Acts 2:42: And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship…
Worship is the first activity of our church and affects everything we do. We believe all true worship is dependent on the knowledge of God. The Bible is the perfect revelation of God—who He is, what He does, and why He alone is worthy of all worship and praise. We don't worship the God of our imagination, but God revealed in time, history and revelation through the Scriptures. Worship begins and ends with the Word of God reflected in music, prayer and teaching. We gather to confess and celebrate "God is worthy" and depart to live "for His glory."
Jesus said, "But the hour is coming and now is here, when the true worshipper will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him." —John 4:23
Authentic Community
Acts 2:42, 46: ...to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayer and day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.
The Christian faith is not only highly individual in application, it is highly relational in practice. We were made for communion with God and to live in community with others. The church is the community made up of those who confess Jesus is Lord and unite for worship, care, ministry and service. At Warren, we value and expect each member to share and grow in community with other believers. We do this through our Small Group Bible Studies.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." —John 13:34-35
Reliant Strength
Acts 2:43 …and awe came upon every soul and many signs and wonders were being done through the apostles.
We are a people reliant upon the strength found in the active work of God's Spirit in and through our lives. Our motto is this: "We can't, but He can." Apart from this, we have little to encourage each other and to offer the lost world. The great reality of the church is God! God is real, alive, and active in the world. All we are is based upon His work in His people, the church.
Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." —John 15:4-5
Radical Stewardship
Acts 2:44-45: And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Giving was vital and foundational to the life of the early church and it is true today. We believe that giving for a believer is not a money issue; it is a heart issue. Knowing God as the Owner and Provider of all things, we use the resources He has provided each of us to help people and accomplish the purposes He has placed before us.
Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." —Matt. 6:19-21, 24
Effective Engagement
Acts 2:46-47: And day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.
The church exists to express the compassionate ministry of Jesus Christ—to make His love and grace visible to people all around. To this end, our lives and lifestyle become the visible "justification" of our faith. It is impossible for the church to be disengaged at a time when a war rages in our culture for human souls. This is our moment of engagement and must be our finest hour.
Jesus said, "Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." —Matthew 5:16
Neighbors and the Nations
Acts 2:47: …praising God and having favor with all the people… and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The outward movement and focus of the church is in response to Christ's call to witness to the gospel and serve humanity. Warren is not only a "gathered community" of saints; it is a "scattered community" of missionaries. We believe we each have distinct gifts, unique tasks and specific opportunities to share the hope found in Christ and Christ alone with a lost world.
Jesus said, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."—Luke 19:10