Cultural Architecture

Serve Baltimore desires to create an environment where Christ is exalted, where the Spirit is free to move, where people are loved into a responsive and maturing relationship with Christ. Heart transformation is our biggest concern. It is much harder to measure than quantitative growth because works of transformation in others and ourselves are largely an invisible, internal process. Changed and changing hearts then result in behavioral changes. Our actions reflect our hearts. We must be transformed continually by the work of Christ within us to reflect Him to those around us

In Scripture the cornerstone represents the part of a foundation that holds everything together. Christ Himself is referred to as “the cornerstone” in Matthew 21. It is on the Cornerstone of Christ that we do all things. It is for His glory that we work and serve in the city of Baltimore. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” -Matthew 21:42

As followers of Jesus we believe our values must be built on Him as a foundation. We call these values our cultural architecture as they form the shape of our community. While this may not be an exhaustive list, it does give a picture of some of the ways Jesus is at work in our community.

Cultural architecture

1. Biblical Truth- We hold that the Bible is our only truly authoritative guide for Christian living so we seek to consistently look to the Word for direction.
2. Shared Ministry- We affirm that ministry is done best when all believers are using their gifts in community.
3. Community/Authenticity- People were made for relationships with other people. Scripture always refers to the spiritual life in community. We affirm that we need real relationships with depth to grow as people and as believers. We need authentic people to encourage, build up, mentor, and at times rebuke us.
4. Creativity/Quality- Our God is the designer of a creative world and so we embrace creativity as an integrated part of worshiping the Lord. We also believe that we are called to give our best to the Lord and so we do all things to His glory.
5. Culturally Engaged – We place a priority on understanding the culture and engaging in it whenever possible without compromising our faith.
6. Globally Conscious – We are called to go into all the world serving both the spiritual and physical needs of people (Luke 9). We value people with AIDS in Africa, starving children in Albania, slave traded women in Asia, and all the torn down discriminated against and hurting people in America.
7. Multiplication- We desire to be an infectious movement of Christ followers who are multiplying disciples, small groups, and churches.
8. Christian Wholeness- The life of Christ does not begin and end at church or in private. We embrace a life where our faith and Christlikness is seamlessly connected in all aspects of life. We desire to live out our faith at home, work, school, or even in the local pub.