Whereas our Doctrinal Commitments declare the truth we believe, this document describes our cultural practices. What does “cultural practices” mean? This document contains less propositional truth and more description of how we embody this truth. Truth is transcendent as it transcends all times, places, and cultures. Truth is also immanent. People, in particular times and places, practice the truth. As they do this, their culture should become more and more conformed to Christ.

Like all faithful churches, we strive for Christlikeness in all respects and yet we recognize that churches, like people, have distinct temperaments and sensibilities that form their particular cultures. Two churches can share the same doctrinal statement but still have their own distinct feel and smell. This is often because of an unwritten but shared cultural vision for how their doctrine should be lived out in their time and place. Below is our attempt to identify our current cultural practices and aspirations as we strive for clear-eyed unity.