WORDS THAT MATTER
At CTK we have a lot of sayings, mottos or axioms that explain our mission, emphasize our doctrinal statement, and most of all help form our philosophy of ministry. We say things like “Keep the Main the Main Thing”, “We are a Grace-Based Church”, “Always a Place for You”, “People are the Ministers”, “A Church for the Sake of Others” & “We Have Our ‘Arrows’ Pointed Out” . Unfortunately, the things that can easily define us as organization can be taken the wrong way or read into in a manner that was never truly intended. For this reason, we feel the need to have a clear philosophy of ministry that not only strengthens the things we hold dear, but also better explains the aspects of our network that make us uniquely CTK.
DOCTRINE & THEOLOGY
KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING
The CTK Network holds to a very clear evangelical doctrinal statement. You can read our doctrinal statement <here>. We believe it to be complete and clear on all major doctrines, and is to be mandatorily agreed upon to be part of the network. What may best define our network is how we choose to act in regards to differences on less clear or non-essential doctrines that do not directly relate to Salvation and maintaining a theologically sound gospel message. As a Network generally prefer to center our teaching on truths that are core, life-changing and life-giving. We have found that we must stay vigilant in “Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing; and Keeping the Main King, the Main King.”
We believe that the primary truths that unite us are far more important than the secondary issues that divide us. As Augustin the early church father sates:
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
There are many churches on different sides of many different conversations, philosophies and theologies. As a Network we believe in minimizing the differences that don’t matter to Jesus and maximizing acceptance of those people who are really seeking Jesus. This “inclusionary,” viewpoint as opposed to exclusionary, on the points of Christianity, not germane to salvation, allow for a beauty in diversity that is not seen without the contrasts. In the CTK Network, pastors and people who have an Arminian theology accept those with Reform theology who accept those with Wesleyan theology who accept those with a Charismatic theology who accept those with Replacement theology etc. So, no matter the pastor’s personal bent in theology they love those who are not “bent” the same way but love Jesus.
The CTK Network holds to a very clear evangelical doctrinal statement. You can read our doctrinal statement <here>. We believe it to be complete and clear on all major doctrines, and is to be mandatorily agreed upon to be part of the network. What may best define our network is how we choose to act in regards to differences on less clear or non-essential doctrines that do not directly relate to Salvation and maintaining a theologically sound gospel message. As a Network generally prefer to center our teaching on truths that are core, life-changing and life-giving. We have found that we must stay vigilant in “Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing; and Keeping the Main King, the Main King.”
We believe that the primary truths that unite us are far more important than the secondary issues that divide us. As Augustin the early church father sates:
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
There are many churches on different sides of many different conversations, philosophies and theologies. As a Network we believe in minimizing the differences that don’t matter to Jesus and maximizing acceptance of those people who are really seeking Jesus. This “inclusionary,” viewpoint as opposed to exclusionary, on the points of Christianity, not germane to salvation, allow for a beauty in diversity that is not seen without the contrasts. In the CTK Network, pastors and people who have an Arminian theology accept those with Reform theology who accept those with Wesleyan theology who accept those with a Charismatic theology who accept those with Replacement theology etc. So, no matter the pastor’s personal bent in theology they love those who are not “bent” the same way but love Jesus.
CHURCH MISSION
A MISSION DRIVEN CHURCH
Every local church has a unique purpose in God’s plan to reach the world. The difference between God’s call to the church in general and God’s call to a specific church is the difference between saying, “We’re going west” and “We’re going to San Francisco.” God has called every church to reach out. He has called Christ the King to reach out in a particular way.
Our Mission:
To create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to unchurched people with love, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a purposeful life of discipleship.
A GRACE BASED CHURCH - ALWAYS A PLACE FOR YOU
As a network we state that our goal and vision is to see a “grace-based church with a grace-based leader in every community”. At CTK we believe in a real God who has real grace for real people who have real problems. We believe in a culture of recovery and redemption. We believe there is hope for the future and forgiveness for the past. We are believe that everyone should feel free to come as we are, without pretense and grow in our faith as we become more and more a disciple of Christ. This is why many of our locations have the saying "Always a Place for You" prominently visible on our buildings, programs and websites.
The way that Jesus viewed and treated sinners, the demon possessed, the lost, the sick, the adulterer, the fornicator and the displaced is the way we believe the leaders of the churches in the CTK Network and the people within those churches should treat others. Jesus has a wonderful way of accepting people where they are but loving them too much to leave them there. We ascribe to Jesus’ way of doing ministry, in love with grace and truth.
We resist people who would attempt to interpret those words as a way to excuse themselves and their sin. We point to Scripture, where the Apostle Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, does an admirable job of differentiating between accepting grace and abusing it for our own purposes. Paul writes, “God forbid,” that we would use His grace for us to give us freedom to sin against Him.
At CTK we believe that failure isn't final and that the leaders of our locations are inspired to create places where healing available, repentance celebrated, second chances "a given" and grace & truth are authentically live out in real live circumstances.
Every local church has a unique purpose in God’s plan to reach the world. The difference between God’s call to the church in general and God’s call to a specific church is the difference between saying, “We’re going west” and “We’re going to San Francisco.” God has called every church to reach out. He has called Christ the King to reach out in a particular way.
Our Mission:
To create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to unchurched people with love, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a purposeful life of discipleship.
A GRACE BASED CHURCH - ALWAYS A PLACE FOR YOU
As a network we state that our goal and vision is to see a “grace-based church with a grace-based leader in every community”. At CTK we believe in a real God who has real grace for real people who have real problems. We believe in a culture of recovery and redemption. We believe there is hope for the future and forgiveness for the past. We are believe that everyone should feel free to come as we are, without pretense and grow in our faith as we become more and more a disciple of Christ. This is why many of our locations have the saying "Always a Place for You" prominently visible on our buildings, programs and websites.
The way that Jesus viewed and treated sinners, the demon possessed, the lost, the sick, the adulterer, the fornicator and the displaced is the way we believe the leaders of the churches in the CTK Network and the people within those churches should treat others. Jesus has a wonderful way of accepting people where they are but loving them too much to leave them there. We ascribe to Jesus’ way of doing ministry, in love with grace and truth.
We resist people who would attempt to interpret those words as a way to excuse themselves and their sin. We point to Scripture, where the Apostle Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, does an admirable job of differentiating between accepting grace and abusing it for our own purposes. Paul writes, “God forbid,” that we would use His grace for us to give us freedom to sin against Him.
At CTK we believe that failure isn't final and that the leaders of our locations are inspired to create places where healing available, repentance celebrated, second chances "a given" and grace & truth are authentically live out in real live circumstances.
CHURCH OPERATION
PEOPLE ARE THE MINISTERS
In our churches we often say that "The People are The Ministers". The pastors are to equip the people/congregation/attenders for the work of the ministry. For instance, if we have a pastor and fifty people, do we have one minister, or fifty-one? At CTK we say fifty-one. When the people are the ministers we have unlimited growth potential.
As a church staff our primary task is to Identify, Deploy, Train, and Support leaders, in that order. Deploy first, then train. By deploying first we get a motivated learner and we accelerate the growth of Christ’s kingdom.
In our churches we often say that "The People are The Ministers". The pastors are to equip the people/congregation/attenders for the work of the ministry. For instance, if we have a pastor and fifty people, do we have one minister, or fifty-one? At CTK we say fifty-one. When the people are the ministers we have unlimited growth potential.
As a church staff our primary task is to Identify, Deploy, Train, and Support leaders, in that order. Deploy first, then train. By deploying first we get a motivated learner and we accelerate the growth of Christ’s kingdom.
OUTREACH CHURCH
ARROWS OUT
Does the church exist for the Christian? It might surprise you to hear this, but we believe “No.” God has given believers a commission to “make more disciples” of Jesus Christ. The people of the church (Christ’s people) are here for those who are not yet believers in Christ.
We use the word “outreach” instead of “seeker” to describe our model. Both the “seeker” church and “outreach” church believe that a bridge needs to be built between God and the lost. We just starting building that bridge at the other side of the chasm.
At a CTK Worship Center you’ll find a casual atmosphere, heartfelt music and a Bible-based message you can understand. But is church a place you go to, or a place you go from? When you are a part of an outreach church like Christ the King, church is a place you go from.
You will often hear our leaders say we have our "Arrows Pointed Out" or "We are A Church for the Sake of Others". It isn't about us, it is about those in our communities we want to reach.
Does the church exist for the Christian? It might surprise you to hear this, but we believe “No.” God has given believers a commission to “make more disciples” of Jesus Christ. The people of the church (Christ’s people) are here for those who are not yet believers in Christ.
We use the word “outreach” instead of “seeker” to describe our model. Both the “seeker” church and “outreach” church believe that a bridge needs to be built between God and the lost. We just starting building that bridge at the other side of the chasm.
At a CTK Worship Center you’ll find a casual atmosphere, heartfelt music and a Bible-based message you can understand. But is church a place you go to, or a place you go from? When you are a part of an outreach church like Christ the King, church is a place you go from.
You will often hear our leaders say we have our "Arrows Pointed Out" or "We are A Church for the Sake of Others". It isn't about us, it is about those in our communities we want to reach.
OUR PRIORITIES
WORSHIP
At CTK we want to be a worshipping church. Our commitment to worship goes beyond our worship centers and services. We are devoted to worshipping God as a lifestyle. Our worship services are an expression of our commitment, but they are not the extent of it, although many have found our services to be extremely helpful in developing their personal worship.
SMALL GROUPS
We have chosen small groups to be the basic building block of this church, and the primary way that we carry out Christ’s new commandment to love each other as Christ has loved us.
Small groups facilitate both the spiritual and numerical growth of the church. Small groups are a proven way to care for large numbers of people in an effective way. You can grow larger, while remaining small and connected. One reason the first century church was able to meet the needs of so many people so quickly is that they were organized by small groups. There are no limits to places where people can be convened “ten at a time.”
OUTREACH
The heart of God is to reach out. The Father sent the Son. The Son sent the Spirit. Father, Son and Holy Spirit now send us. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). As mentioned above we are an outreach driven church who keeps our "Arrows Out".
At CTK we want to be a worshipping church. Our commitment to worship goes beyond our worship centers and services. We are devoted to worshipping God as a lifestyle. Our worship services are an expression of our commitment, but they are not the extent of it, although many have found our services to be extremely helpful in developing their personal worship.
SMALL GROUPS
We have chosen small groups to be the basic building block of this church, and the primary way that we carry out Christ’s new commandment to love each other as Christ has loved us.
Small groups facilitate both the spiritual and numerical growth of the church. Small groups are a proven way to care for large numbers of people in an effective way. You can grow larger, while remaining small and connected. One reason the first century church was able to meet the needs of so many people so quickly is that they were organized by small groups. There are no limits to places where people can be convened “ten at a time.”
OUTREACH
The heart of God is to reach out. The Father sent the Son. The Son sent the Spirit. Father, Son and Holy Spirit now send us. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). As mentioned above we are an outreach driven church who keeps our "Arrows Out".
DO YOU BELONG IN THIS STORY?
At CTK we like to say, “The Place of Agreement is the Place of Power.” When a person’s mission, vision and values align with an organization’s mission, vision and values, it is particularly powerful. When we are aligned we don’t have to spend a lot of time accommodating, or trying to make the connection work (e.g. “I don’t really agree with this, but I’ll go along to get along.”) Hopefully, after reading more about the CTK Story, you resonate with what makes us who we are, and want to be a part of it. If the mission, vision and values of Christ the King intersect with your personal mission, vision and values, then we invite you to become a part of this adventure.
When we say “there’s always a place for you” we don’t just mean that we will save a seat for you. It means that there is a place for you to serve, to give of yourself to others. Everyone needs at least three ingredients for a successful life:
1. A self fit to live with
2. A faith fit to live by
3. A work fit to live for
We believe that you will find all of this and more at CTK. You are not alone:be a part of something bigger and experince the support you need in your ministry click here to start the process of joining the CTK Story!
When we say “there’s always a place for you” we don’t just mean that we will save a seat for you. It means that there is a place for you to serve, to give of yourself to others. Everyone needs at least three ingredients for a successful life:
1. A self fit to live with
2. A faith fit to live by
3. A work fit to live for
We believe that you will find all of this and more at CTK. You are not alone:be a part of something bigger and experince the support you need in your ministry click here to start the process of joining the CTK Story!
