What We Value

These are some distinct values of CABC related to our priorities and approach to ministry.


God‐centered approach to church ministry growth

Many of today’s ideas about church growth and ministry are man‐centered and

inordinately focused on numerical indicators of success.

Local churches should be built upon faithfulness to God’s pattern for the church

including worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism (Acts 2:42‐47).

 True church growth consists in movement toward maturity and ministry which reflects the fullness of Christ, not simply numerical increase (Ephesians 4:11‐16).


Christ‐centered expositional preaching and teaching of God’s Word

All Scripture is God‐breathed and profitable for equipping believers (2 Timothy 3:16‐17).

Each verse of Scripture needs to be understood in its context.

God’s people grow stronger and deeper when they are systematically fed from Scripture. (1 Peter 2:22)

Preaching and teaching should be Christ‐centered and saturated with the gospel.


Meaningful church membership

The Bible indicates that local churches had some sort of membership structure which identified individuals as belonging to that local assembly (1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2; Heb. 10:25).

Formal membership in the local church provides for mutual ministry and accountability for the spiritual well‐being of the members (Matthew 18:15‐17; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1‐3).

Meaningful membership involves relationships of mutual love, concern, accountability, and ministry to one another (1 Cor. 12:7, 14‐26; Rom. 12:10‐16; Eph. 4:32; 1 Thess. 5:11‐15). The church is the community of those who embrace the Lordship of Jesus.

Increasing participation in missions

Christ’s commission to the church is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19‐20).

The church must participate in this Great Commission both locally and globally (Acts 1:8).

God blesses us to bless others by declaring His saving work to all the nations (Psalm 67).

Elder‐led congregational governance structure

The New Testament pattern for church leadership is a plurality of elders/overseers/shepherds (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1‐7; Titus 1:5).

During times of decision making, the congregation also had input in the process along with the recognized leadership of the church (Acts 6:1‐7; 15:4, 22; Matt. 18:15‐17).

The officers of the church have differing functions. Elders serve through oversight and teaching. Deacons serve through caring for the physical needs of the congregation (Acts 6:1‐7; 1 Tim. 3).