Organizing Principles

Organizing Principles

  1. We will use the Bible as the source of our beliefs and practices:  When confronted with issues, we will use the Bible as the primary source for guidance and discernment regarding what we should think and do.

  2. We are a theocracy, not a democracy:  God is the ultimate leader of everything we do.  Our goal is to please God, not the masses.

  3. We will operate based on Spirit-led unity, not majority rule:  As much as possible, decisions at all levels of The Adoni Spiritual Formation Center will be made based on the principle of Spirit-led unity, where everyone involved agrees before an action is taken, rather than by majority rule.

  4. We have disciples, not members:  People are called to be disciples, i.e. people who listen to and follow the teachings of Christ, not church members.  Those who get involved with our work will be referred to as disciples, not members of the church.

  5. We will emphasize spiritual growth and development as a part of everything we do:  Everything we do is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and to allow our relationship with God to make a difference in what we do.  The idea of Immanuel, i.e. God with us, will be emphasized at all times and in all that we do.

  6. We will emphasize holistic ministry:  Our ministry will emphasize God’s role in dealing with each person physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  Every aspect of our lives is an area where God is both concerned and at work.

  7. We will engage in aggressive ministry any time, any place, and by any one:  We will create an environment that enables people to engage in ministry regardless of when or where the ministry is needed.  In addition, everyone will be empowered to do ministry in our name.

  8. We will engage in communal worship on Sunday and spiritual growth and ministry throughout the rest of the week:  Worship can happen at anytime and with any number of people, but Sunday morning is our time to worship as a community of disciples.  Monday through Saturday will be the time for individual and family worship apart from our community and the time for The Adoni Spiritual Formation Center to emphasize disciplines that lead to spiritual growth and the practice of ministry.

  9. Each disciple will be involved in a spiritual formation group and at least 1 ministry, but no more than 2:  As a critical part of each disciple’s spiritual growth, each disciple will become involved with a spiritual formation group and in at least 1 ministry.  No disciple should be involved in more than 2 ministries.

  10. We will make Christian education a part of everything we do: Everything we do will serve as a venue for Christian education.  If God, Christ, and the Spirit are at work in everything, then everything will present us with an opportunity to learn more about God.