Redeemer Leadership Covenant
Thank you for considering serving at Redeemer and being a part of God’s mission to invite people into the way of Jesus. By using your God-given gifts and talents, you’ll have the opportunity not only to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus for the first time, but also to encourage and equip them to follow Him in every area of their lives.
Serving in this way is a great privilege—but it’s not something we take lightly. For certain key leadership roles—especially in Kids Ministry, Youth Ministry, Group Leadership, and other core areas of influence—we ask that those serving are aligned with our core Christian beliefs and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to walking in the way of Jesus, as described in both the Beliefs & Expectations sections outlined below. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about pursuing faithfulness. We ask this for the sake of clarity, unity, and the spiritual wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and the people we serve.
Below, you’ll be invited to affirm your alignment with the Redeemer Leadership Covenant, which includes our Core Beliefs, Distinctives, Cultural Engagement, Vision, and Commitments. If you’re not in a place where you can commit to these yet—don’t worry. There are still many other ways you can serve and get involved, and we would love to have a conversation about your questions or hesitations. We believe Redeemer is a place where you can “belong before you believe,” and we’re committed to walking with you as you grow in your commitment to Christ.
So, for some of you, this might not be a never—it’s just a not yet. We can’t wait to see what God will do in you and through you in the days ahead.
BELIEFS
Core Beliefs:
The Bible: We believe, teach, and affirm that the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the ultimate authority for faith and daily living.
The Trinity: We believe in one God who exists eternally as three distinct persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This beautiful mystery is known as the “Trinity,” a word we use to describe the unified and unfathomable nature of God as revealed throughout Scripture.
God the Father: We believe that God the Father is the all-powerful Creator of everything, eternal and sovereign over all things. He is holy, loving, and just. In His great love, He desires a personal relationship with humanity, and to make this possible, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us and bring us back to Himself.
God the Son: We believe that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and gave His life on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He rose bodily from the grave, confirming the truth of all His claims. Jesus ascended into heaven, and one day, He will return in glory.
God the Holy Spirit: We teach that the Holy Spirit is truly God, the one who makes faith in Jesus Christ possible and lives within every believer. The Holy Spirit continues to give both natural and supernatural gifts, which are active and available to all Christians today—and we encourage believers to use them for God’s glory and the good of others.
Broken Relationship: We teach that because of sin, all humans are naturally inclined toward pride, greed, lust, envy, and many other sinful tendencies. These sins separate us from the perfect presence of God, hinder our ability to live in His perfect kingdom, and breaks our relationship with Him and others, leading to eternal separation from Him.
Restored Relationship: We teach that God has made a way to restore the broken relationship between Himself and humanity—both now and forever—through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and His victory over the grave. This gift of salvation is given by grace, not something we can earn, and it is received through faith. Through a personal relationship with Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins, promised eternal life with God, and welcomed into His Church as part of His family.
Relational Opportunity: We teach that following Jesus doesn’t just offer the hope of eternal life—it transforms life here and now. Walking in His ways leads to a better life and makes you better at life, as you grow to become more like Christ in every area of your life.
Christ's Return: We teach that Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Believers will receive eternal life in God's presence, while those who reject Christ will face eternal separation from God.
Distinctives:
Affiliations: Redeemer is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition and is affiliated with both Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC).
3 Streams: Redeemer stands at the convergence of three powerful streams within Christ’s Church: the Traditional, which grounds us in the rich theology and sacred practices of our Lutheran-Protestant heritage; the Evangelical, which anchors us in the authority of Scripture and the mission to share the gospel; and the Charismatic, which embraces the active presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Together, these streams create a unique spiritual culture—blending modern and traditional expressions while remaining firmly rooted in timeless, eternal truth—where people from all backgrounds can encounter the way of Jesus.
Confessions: We affirm our alignment with the ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian) and the Lutheran Confessions as faithful expressions of Scripture. We embrace the core Lutheran teachings that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture, for the glory of God alone.
Law and Gospel: We believe that Scripture contains both Law and Gospel. Through the Law, God reveals His will, exposes our sin, and shows us our need for grace. Through the Gospel, God proclaims the good news of salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering us forgiveness and a new way of life.
Baptism: We believe that Baptism is a means of God’s grace—more than a symbol, it is a sacred act through which God draws us to Himself and points us to a personal relationship with Christ. We offer baptism to people of all ages, celebrating what God has done and will continue to do in the life of the baptized.
Communion: We believe Communion is a means of God’s grace—more than just a symbol, it’s a sacred moment where believers are drawn closer to God. As we remember Christ’s sacrifice, we receive His forgiveness, are renewed in our relationship with Him, and look forward to the day that we’ll share this meal with Him in His Kingdom.
Priesthood of all Believers: We believe in the Priesthood of All Believers, meaning that every Christian has direct access to God through Jesus Christ. All believers, not just clergy, are empowered by God to participate in His mission for the world in every aspect of their lives.
Cultural Engagement:
Sanctity of Life: We teach that every human life—regardless of race, gender, ability, socio-economic status, or age, including the unborn—holds immeasurable value in the eyes of God. To devalue any life is to reject the dignity and worth that God gives to every person.
Sexuality: We teach that God created humanity in His image, intentionally designing us as male and female. These distinct identities are a part of His good design and are not meant to be blurred or redefined.
We teach that a sexual relationship belongs within the boundaries of a marriage between one man and one woman.
We teach that pornography distorts God’s good design for sex, intimacy, and human dignity. It undermines the covenant of marriage, fuels lust, and often contributes to addiction, exploitation, and broken relationships.
Controlling Substances: We teach that followers of Jesus should not seek to be controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit. This means abstaining from drunkenness and avoiding any non-prescription substances that impair judgment, alter behavior, or lead to dependence.
Politics: We teach that the kingship of Christ stands above all earthly authorities, including political parties. While we encourage believers to actively engage in the civic responsibilities available to them, our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus. As a church, we refrain from promoting political talking points and instead focus on the teachings of Christ as the true and lasting hope for the world.
Female Leadership: We believe that, when understood in its full context, Scripture reveals God’s intentional use of women in leadership throughout redemptive history from Miriam, Deborah, Esther, and Huldah in the Old Testament to Phoebe, Junia, and Priscilla in the New Testament—and through Jesus’ own example of honoring and empowering women—the Bible shows a consistent pattern: God gifts and calls both women and men to carry out His mission in a variety of roles for the good of the Church and the world.
EXPECTATIONS
Vision:
Follow: We expect our leaders to be more than Christians in name or by intellect. We seek true followers of Christ—those with a genuine, ongoing relationship with Him, made possible through His saving work and received by faith. This relationship begins in this life and lasts into eternity
Connect: We expect our leaders to be intentionally growing in their relationship with God by establishing consistent rhythms of prayer and Scripture reading as a foundation for their daily lives.
Gather: We expect our leaders to live out their faith in community—not in isolation—by regularly attending worship and actively participating in a group for mutual encouragement and growth.
Give: We expect our leaders to model generosity by giving consistently with open hands to their home church. Generosity acknowledges that everything we have is a gift from God, reflects our trust in Him, transforms our hearts, and advances the mission and ministry of the church.
Serve: We expect our leaders to actively engage in Christ’s mission by using their time and talents for His glory. By making serving a regular part of their lives, they honor God, make a lasting impact, and leave a legacy for future generations.
Invite: We expect our leaders to actively model evangelism by praying for the lost, inviting others to church, and having meaningful conversations about God with non-believers, understanding that God has uniquely positioned them in this time and place to make a lasting impact in the lives of those around them.
Commitments:
I - Inspire Fun:
Energize every situation, creating enjoyable and engaging moments for everyone.
M - Model Authenticity:
Be genuine, transparent, and honest—show up as your true self without pretending to be someone you're not.
P - Pursue Excellence:
Approach every opportunity with diligence, focus, and high standards, striving for the best.
A - Assume the Best:
Extend trust by assuming the best in others and fostering a culture of respect and mutual confidence.
C - Care for Others:
Engage with others in a compassionate and caring way, promoting well-being and growth.
T - Team Support:
Be a team player by offering help, collaborating, and showing respect and kindness to one another.
F - Foster Growth:
Be coachable by embracing feedback with humility and a growth mindset.
U - Unite in Alignment:
Ensure your actions, strategies, and ministries reflect and support the: The Redeemer Direction.
L - Lean into Change:
Stay flexible and resilient, maintaining a positive attitude and openness to new challenges and opportunities.