Value Statements (as of April 2007)

All worship, activities, teaching and preaching at Apostles will reflect the following values:

-Encouraging the freedom and honesty for people to be who they are, spiritually,
intellectually and emotionally;

-Practicing and honoring mysticism – a direct and intimate connection with the
Holy, within ourselves and with all of creation

-Striving for justice and peace; for, without justice, there is no peace.

-Serving as good stewards of creation, especially the desert home that surrounds
us

-Opening our doors to all people as a welcoming community,

-Celebrating the Gospel imperative to be inclusive and accepting

Long Version of our Values

Freedom and Honesty -- Church of the Apostles was founded as a church community that would first and foremost allow members the freedom to hold and express their theological beliefs, no matter how non-traditional they might be. All members were, and continue to be, encouraged to express themselves honestly without fear of judgment or alienation because we believe that it is in an atmosphere of freedom that people grow and are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Mysticism -- Also very important to the founders of the parish was the belief that everyone was capable of a direct and profound experience of God, which from the earliest days of the Christian church and in all major world religions, is called “mysticism.” And while such personal experience of God was frowned upon and feared by authorities in the early church, at Apostles it is encouraged. We want to provide ways to develop that mystical connection, and to proclaim to the world that such connection, which we believe is the source of spiritual strength, is possible.

A Welcoming Community – With the first two values in place, it has been a natural step to open our doors to all people and offering the gifts of hospitality and fellowship, nurturing the gifts everyone has to offer, and making visitors and members feel as if they have found their spiritual home. We do this through coffee hour and meals, social events and our radically open policy in which anyone who desires to grow closer to God is welcome to receive Communion.

Inclusive and Accepting – At a time when many in the larger church are choosing up sides in conflict and trying to find allies who think alike, Apostles has intentionally chosen the more difficult path of keeping together under one roof those who may not agree with each other theologically, politically. By “agreeing to disagree”, we put first the principal of mutual respect and love for our neighbor, realizing that if we cannot do that with our fellow church member whom we know, loving the stranger or enemy will never be possible.

More to come…