Core Values
Authenticity - We want to follow the example of Jesus. He was real. There were times when he was upset, sad, happy, loving, demanding, and compassionate. As his followers, we will have the same emotions. Those who refuse to follow Jesus, or are confused about Jesus, also have these same feelings. At Zach’s House, we want to know how you are feeling. We don’t want the typical churchy answer, “I’m fine.” We’ve been involved in too many churches where that’s the only answer ever given when someone is asked, “How are you doing?” Most of the time, that’s a lie. We want people involved with Zach’s House to be able to admit when there are struggles. We want to create an atmosphere in our friendships that make people want to tell us when things really stink, even if it is their own fault. The biggest pet peeve around Zach’s House is not being real.
Zach’s Question: Am I being real with others and do I help create an atmosphere where others can be real with me?
Belonging – We believe one belongs to Zach’s House when they simply hang around enough to be recognized by name. However, there is a deeper belonging.This deeper belonging is to personally belong to the Lord and His church. We believe this is done through the grace of God by the sending of His son to die on the cross for each one of us. By believing in his death, burial, and resurrection and understanding your need for a savior, you are ready to be baptized into His death. At baptism you come into contact with the blood of Christ, His blood washes away your sins and then you receive the Holy Spirit. This baptizing is done by total immersion of the believer underneath water. For information on infant baptism click here.
Zach’s Question: Am I a person who belongs to a faith community? (committment) Or to the Lord? (deeper committment) If not, should I?
Love – We believe that small things done with great love can change the world. At Zach’s House, people are more than numbers on a piece of paper. The first step to real love is understanding and accepting people for who they are. The question arises, “ What’s love got to do with it? Everything.
Zach’s Question: Am I demonstrating love to others through the use of my time, talents & resources?
Truth – We believe the man who allowed Jesus to be sentenced to death, Pontious Pilate, had a legitimate question when he asked, “What is truth?” We believe that truth is revealed through a relationship with Christ. We also actively engage anyone who believes many roads lead to truth. We want to hear you out. We are not your judge and jury but fellow humans who exist with you on the journey. While we’re discussing truth, let’s discuss that journey also.
Zach’s Question: Am I a person who accepts or denies the truths of Christ and does my life model that choice?
Restoration/Beauty – We believe that God is beautiful and His creation reflects His beauty. All of us are beautiful in God’s eyes. We want to help people rediscover their beauty given them by God. We want people to be restored to God’s orignial intention. We were made to have life, and to have it abundantly. We, at Zach’s House, work hard to help restore beauty to this world through our relationships with one another and with God’s creation.
Zach’s Question: Is the beauty of my life evident in restored relationships with others and with God?
Community – We grow when life is lived together, in the context of community. While we live in community, we truly learn to love others; put others first and be the church as Christ originally intended. Read a devotional about our need for community. Click here.
Zach’s Question: Am I living life in the context of community or isolation?
