Our core values...

Christ before Self
Christ is the head. Harvest is His church. We are here to do what He wants before what we want. In all that we do we are to give Him glory-to make Him look good.
Ephesians 5:23; Matthew 28:18&19;              1 Corinthians 10:31

Prayer before Action
Because it is His church before we do anything we pray seeking His wisdom, His guidance, His plan. If there is a problem we go to Him first. If something great happens we go to Him to say thanks. If there is sickness we pray. Now that doesn't mean that prayer is our only action. There is something that we must do but it starts first with prayer.   Acts 1:12-14; Jeremiah 33:3; Philippians 4:6; James 5:13-16

Scripture before Popularity
What He thinks is more important than what is popular. His Word tells us what He thinks. We strive to understand the culture in which we live and apply God's Word to it but His way of thinking is first and foremost over any popular opinion. Our basis for our way of thinking is the Bible.   2 Timothy 3:14-17; Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 1:25; Romans 12:2; Proverbs 3:5&6

Health before Growth
We believe that if we are healthy we will grow. Our task is to do all we can to be a healthy church, God's task is the growth. The eight quality characteristics of a healthy church are: Empowering Leadership, Gift-oriented Ministry, Passionate Spirituality, Functional Structures, Inspiring Worship Service, Holistic Small Groups, Need-Oriented Evangelism, Loving Relationships.
Mark 4:26-29; Matthew 7:16&17;         Matthew 12:33



 

Small before Large
We believe that people are best served in small worship settings in varied places at varied times. In the hurried pace of our day people need a place where they can go to find someone who cares that they can get to know. We believe being small allows that. Our model is community (Starbucks) as opposed to consumer (Rio Buffet). We also believe in the importance of ministry to the young. The greatest window of opportunity of making a difference in a life is when they are young.  Acts 2:46&47; Mark 4:30-32; Matthew 19:14; 1 Timothy 4:1

People before Programs
People matter to God. He died for them. So people are important to us. Where they hurt, what they need, is more important than what we have always done.
John 15:12&13; 1 John 3:16; Luke 15

Acceptance before Performance
We accept people where they are. You don't have to do anything be anything to be loved and accepted. Also we believe that God does not condemn us but that our sin does so in order to really accept our self we then confess our sin and accept God's forgiveness for it. Performance plays no part in our acceptance of this free gift.   James 2:1-13; John 3:16&17; Romans 4:7&8; Romans 15:17; Ephesians 2:8-10