Core Commitments

What Governs Our Life and Ministry?

Churches often explain what they believe and hope to accomplish. But our everyday decisions reveal what actually governs us. What do we teach repeatedly? How do we treat people? What guides our use of time, resources, and opportunities? These questions help us examine whether our stated commitments are shaping our lives and ministries.

The Apostolic Cycle places ten core commitments at the center of Christian life and ministry. Five observations help explain their importance.

  1. Our core commitments identify what governs our lives and ministries. They describe whom and what we are devoted to and how that devotion should shape us. They concern our understanding, desires, priorities, relationships, words, and actions.

  2. Our core commitments reflect enduring biblical priorities. These ten commitments organize important teachings and recurring priorities found throughout the New Testament. Scripture does not present them as a numbered list, but each commitment has a biblical foundation that deserves careful attention.

  3. Our first and supreme commitment is to the Triune God. Our lives and ministries begin with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every other commitment flows from our devotion to God and must be understood in relation to his character, purposes, and commands.

  4. Our core commitments guide every part of the Apostolic Cycle. They shape how we pursue its three goals: Reach Non-Christians with the Gospel, Strengthen Christians in Churches, and Develop Leaders to Start and Strengthen Churches. Unlike individual ministry activities, these commitments apply throughout the work.

  5. Our core commitments belong together. Each describes a distinct biblical priority, but they should not be pursued independently. Our devotion to God must shape our relationships, character, ministry, and mission. Together, these commitments provide a foundation for faithful Christian life and ministry.

We will examine each commitment by explaining its biblical meaning and how Christians and churches should express it.

The Ten Core Commitments

1. The Triune God

Meaning: Scripture reveals one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father sent the Son to redeem sinners, the risen Son reigns over his church, and the Holy Spirit gives life and equips believers for holiness and service.

Expression: We worship, love, trust, and obey God, seeking to know the Father through Jesus Christ and depend on the Holy Spirit throughout our lives and ministries.

Biblical Foundations: Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:18–20; John 14:15–26; Eph. 1:3–14

2. Fellowship with God & Others

Meaning: Through Jesus Christ, believers share fellowship with God and a common life with one another. This fellowship involves personal communion with God and relationships among believers grounded in their shared participation in Christ.

Expression: We cultivate communion with God through his Word, prayer, and obedience. We gather faithfully, share the Lord's Supper, welcome one another, pursue reconciliation, and participate in the shared life and responsibilities of the church.

Biblical Foundations: Acts 2:42–47; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 1 John 1:1–9

3. Godly Character & Conduct

Meaning: God transforms both our inward dispositions and outward behavior. Character concerns the qualities that shape our desires, thoughts, and attitudes. Conduct concerns how we express those qualities through our words and actions.

Expression: We pursue Christlike character through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, putting away sinful desires and practices while developing love, humility, patience, self-control, honesty, and faithfulness in every area of life.

Biblical Foundations: Gal. 5:16–26; Col. 3:1–17; Titus 2:11–14

4. The Word of God

Meaning: The Old and New Testament Scriptures are God's inspired and authoritative written Word. They reveal the truth we need for salvation through faith in Christ and provide the instruction necessary for faithful Christian living.

Expression: We read, study, understand, believe, obey, and teach Scripture. We interpret it carefully, examine our beliefs and practices in its light, and prepare others to understand and apply it faithfully.

Biblical Foundations: Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:14–17; James 1:22–25

5. Prayer & Fasting

Meaning: Prayer is communicating with God through praise, thanksgiving, confession, and requests. Fasting involves voluntarily abstaining from food for a period of time to seek God earnestly. Both practices express our dependence on him.

Expression: We cultivate regular personal and shared prayer, bringing our needs, relationships, churches, and mission before God. We also practice fasting appropriately as we seek his wisdom, help, and guidance.

Biblical Foundations: Matt. 6:5–18; Acts 13:1–3; Col. 4:2–4

6. The Mission: Make Disciples

Meaning: Jesus commissioned his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded. The apostles carried out this mission by proclaiming the gospel, gathering believers into churches, strengthening Christians, and developing leaders.

Expression: We prepare believers to participate in this work according to their gifts and responsibilities. We engage non-Christians, explain the Christian message, help new believers become established in churches, and equip others to continue making disciples.

Biblical Foundations: Matt. 28:18–20; Luke 24:44–49; Acts 14:21–23

7. Spiritual Gifts

Meaning: The Holy Spirit distributes diverse gifts to believers for the common good and the building up of Christ's body. These gifts differ, but every member has an important contribution to make.

Expression: We help believers discover opportunities to serve, recognize and develop their gifts, and use them in love for the benefit of others. Churches should value both visible and less visible contributions and equip their members for meaningful participation.

Biblical Foundations: Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:4–27; 1 Pet. 4:10–11

8. Care for Those in Need

Meaning: Christian love includes compassionate concern and practical assistance for people experiencing physical and material needs. We are responsible to do good to others as opportunities arise, with particular concern for fellow believers.

Expression: We recognize needs and respond through generosity, personal involvement, and wise stewardship. We provide practical assistance and organize care when necessary, demonstrating love through our actions rather than merely our words.

Biblical Foundations: Luke 10:25–37; Acts 4:32–35; Gal. 6:10; James 2:14–17

9. Biblical Leadership

Meaning: Jesus Christ is the head of his church and provides leaders to teach, shepherd, equip, and serve his people. Scripture identifies qualified elders who oversee and shepherd churches, deacons who serve in recognized responsibilities, and other workers who contribute according to their gifts and assignments.

Expression: We identify, prepare, appoint, and support qualified leaders. We respect biblical responsibilities, practice accountability, and develop leaders who demonstrate godly character, sound teaching, and faithful service.

Biblical Foundations: Acts 20:17–32; Eph. 4:11–16; 1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9

10. Church Partnerships

Meaning: Churches cooperate in carrying out Christ's mission by sharing workers, resources, instruction, encouragement, and practical assistance. These relationships help congregations strengthen one another and extend gospel ministry.

Expression: We develop purposeful relationships with other churches to train and support leaders, care for those in need, strengthen congregations, and start new churches. Such cooperation should preserve biblical accountability and the responsibilities of each local church.

Biblical Foundations: Acts 11:19–30; 13:1–3; 2 Cor. 8:16–24; 3 John 5–8

Implications for Life and Ministry

Understanding these commitments is important, but understanding alone is not enough. We must consider how they should shape our lives, churches, and ministry decisions.

  1. Teach these commitments deliberately. Churches should help believers understand the biblical meaning and importance of each commitment. We cannot assume that people understand these priorities simply because they have attended church for years. Faithful instruction provides the foundation for informed obedience.

  2. Examine our actual priorities and practices. Our use of time, resources, gifts, and opportunities reveals what we value. We should compare our professed commitments with our decisions and practices, identifying areas where biblical priorities have been neglected, misunderstood, or displaced.

  3. Express these commitments throughout ordinary life and ministry. They should shape our households, relationships, gatherings, and daily responsibilities. We need to help Christians move beyond agreeing with these commitments to practicing them consistently in their personal lives and shared life as churches.

  4. Develop leaders who understand and model these commitments. Leadership development must involve more than acquiring biblical knowledge or ministry skills. We need leaders whose character, relationships, priorities, and practices reflect these commitments and who can teach and equip others to embrace them.

  5. Carry these commitments forward through mission and cooperation. As churches reach non-Christians, strengthen believers, develop leaders, and cooperate with other churches, these commitments should guide their work. We want to pass on more than ministry methods. We want to help others develop the biblical convictions and practices needed to start, strengthen, and multiply faithful churches.

Questions for Reflection and Action

  1. Understanding: How would you explain the purpose of core commitments and their relationship to the goals and activities of the Apostolic Cycle?

  2. Examining Our Practices: Which commitments are most clearly reflected in your life and church? What evidence demonstrates this?

  3. Identifying Weaknesses: Which commitments are misunderstood, neglected, or inadequately expressed in your current practices? What needs greater attention?

  4. Overcoming Obstacles: What personal, relational, cultural, or organizational obstacles make these commitments difficult to practice faithfully? How should you address them?

  5. Taking Action: What specific changes should you make to strengthen these commitments in your life or church? Who will be responsible, and when will you evaluate your progress?