Core values are issues, qualities, perspectives, or priorities that are considered of such extreme importance that all of our decisions and actions are judged by them. The identity of PEC is inseparably intertwined with these core values.
Each of these values is as critical to our church body as a heart or brain is to a human body. There are machines that can maintain a heartbeat or brain wave in a body that is otherwise dead. In the Church, this machine is called religion: form and actions that imitate the real thing. WE WILL NOT SETTLE FOR AN IMITATION OF THE REAL THING! PEC will live or die by its core values. We list and define these values below:
One of the most outstanding traits Jesus exhibited was humility. It is the trait that causes a person to value personal worth according to God’s standard instead of the world’s standard. This quality caused Him to voluntarily strip Himself of His power as God to serve and save His own creation.
He could have demanded for His disciples to pamper Him; He washed their feet as though He were a slave. He could have accepted the position of king when it was offered to Him by the people; He rejected the kingship and chose rejection, shame, and crucifixion instead.
Jesus commands that His disciples live by this same quality, whether they are leaders or followers, but especially leaders. When the disciples argued among themselves who was the greatest, Jesus settled the dispute by saying:
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
The example and words of the Lord leave no room for debate: IT IS WRONG TO MODEL BEHAVIOR OR TEACH ANY DOCTRINE THAT VIOLATES HUMILITY. For this reason, we reject the spirit of fleshly self-promotion, and its subsequent beliefs and practices.
The apostle Paul fought hard and long to deliver people from religious bondage. His greatest enemies were those who wanted to dominate the Church through fleshly rules and a spiritual hierarchy. His words to the
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
He wrote similar words to the Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians.
PEC is irrevocably committed to fighting for Christian liberty and the simplicity of Christ and His gospel. We hold in extreme disregard any presentation of so-called spiritual truth that turns God’s sons and daughters into spiritual slaves of religion or men.
Christians have the inherent right as sons and daughters of the Most High God to obey His Voice above the voice of any person or system. God’s Voice will always agree with the written Word of God, the Bible, as well as the character of Christ.
Responsibility
We know that our strong emphasis on spiritual freedom will attract two kinds of people. First, we will attract those who are tired of the traditions of man. Second, we will attract those who are tired of the obligations of God. This second group will find that PEC is not a haven for the lawless, the weird, or the eternally unhappy Church critic. We are as committed to Christian responsibility as we are to Christian freedom.
PEC is not a forum where anything and everything is encouraged or allowed in the name of freedom. Rather, it is a church where we deliberately and diligently try to create an atmosphere free of barriers so the Holy Spirit may manifest Himself in, among, and for us unhindered.
The purposes of the Holy Spirit’s manifestations are for the glorification of Jesus, the development of the Church, and the evangelization of the world.
Power
We believe in the power of God!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
The Lord modeled in His earthly ministry how we are to supernaturally do the work of evangelism and building the Church. We are to totally rely on the wisdom and power of God. This releases gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as signs, miracles, and wonders.
We, therefore, seek to think and behave as people who have access to the unlimited resources of heaven. Our obedience to God and our faith in Him release supernatural power and provision, in accordance with His character and wisdom. We believe this supernatural orientation, and its subsequent practices, are obligations and behaviors of a doctrinally healthy church.