CORE VALUES

Member Colleges share common commitments to the following Core Values in four areas:

Concerning Essential Components of Readiness for Ministry and Mission
We aim to provide:

* Depth of understanding to cultivate a biblically based and theologically informed worldview

* Development of academic competence to sustain continuing learning and service

* Competence in ministry skills appropriate to spiritual gifting and ministry goals

* Habits of disciplined personal and spiritual formation modelled on the character of Christ

* Healthy inter-personal relationships appropriate to ministry responsibilities

* Credible qualifications related to varying ministries and needs in contemporary society.

Concerning Nature of Ministry and Mission
We believe Ministry and Mission:

* Are rooted in the self-giving love and mission of the Triune God

* Require personal experience of salvation in Christ and life in the Spirit

* Grow out of participation in a worshipping, nurturing and discipling community

* Are the responsibility of all God’s people, the Church, not just of an elite within it

* Involve proclaiming and living the Gospel where it is unknown, ignored or repudiated

* Embrace holistic involvement in both evangelism and social concern

* Require personal and communal integrity demonstrating Christ’s lordship over every area of life

* Require biblical education being accessible to all God’s people.

Concerning Central Theological Convictions undergirding Mission and Ministry
We believe and uphold:

* The authority and full trustworthiness of the Bible

* The dignity of all human beings as created in God’s image

* The uniqueness of Christ and centrality of his death, resurrection and present rule

* The fallen nature of humanity, the necessity of salvation in Christ, and the accountability of human beings before God

* The transforming and enabling work and gifts of the Spirit

* The assurance of Christ’s return and of hope and purpose for God’s people and creation.

Concerning the Context of Mission and Ministry
We respect and take seriously:

* The historical and cultural identity of all peoples as God’s creatures, but lost without Christ

* The need to seek and uphold truth and to resist evil in our world

* The battle for the mind and the power of alternative worldviews and belief systems to oppose God’s purposes in His world

* The need to communicate God’s unchanging Gospel faithfully, meaningfully and relevantly to all peoples

* The global presence of the church, the One Body of Christ, in its many local manifestations.