Crescenta Valley Community Church’s Nine Core Values under gird our five purposes:

1. We believe that all of life revolves around relationships.
The Bible describes God as being "relentlessly relational." People matter to God and therefore they matter to us (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 133; Psalm 139; Luke 5:30-32; Luke 15; John 3:16-17).

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life—the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals." So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26 – 27

How wonderful it is, how pleasant,
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Psalm 133:1 – 3

But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough."
Luke 5:30 – 32

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."
John 3:16 – 17



2. We believe that when God’s truth as revealed in the Bible is taught with authenticity, integrity and passion, and is received with an open heart and mind, the result is LIFE TRANSFORMATION.
A changed life demonstrates the residence of Jesus. Therefore, we are committed to communicating His truth with creativity and excellence (Mark 4:1-20; Romans 12:2; Acts 19:11-20; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23).

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
Romans 12:2

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know that the way we lived among you was further proof of the truth of our message. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you yourselves became an example to all the Christians in Greece. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 – 8

Remind everyone of these things, and command them in God’s name to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid godless, foolish discussions that lead to more and more ungodliness. This kind of talk spreads like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples of this.
2 Timothy 2:14 – 17


3. We believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the answer to the "why" of life.
Every human being was created by God to be in a relationship with Him. There is a void that can only be filled by being in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. He brings meaning, purpose and fulfillment.
(Genesis 1:26 – 27; Exodus 20:1 – 6; Matthew 22:37 – 40; Acts 17:24 – 31).

Then God instructed the people as follows: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. Do not worship any other gods besides me. Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations."
Exodus 20: 1 – 6

"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs – for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand which should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him – though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or solver or stone. God overlooked people’s former ignorance about these things, but now he commands everyone everywhere to turn away from idols and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."
Acts 17:24 – 31


4. We believe that the local church has its greatest impact when it functions as a team.
Every member is absolutely vital to fulfilling God’s purpose and plan for the local church (Psalm 133; John 17:20 – 21; Ephesians 4:11 – 16; Philippians 2:3 – 4).


He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:11 – 16

Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.
Philippians 2:3 – 4


5. We believe that every team member has been given gifts by God to be discovered, developed and deployed.
We are a lay team, gift-driven church. Every team member realizes their fullest potential and finds their greatest joy and highest purpose when they are serving according to their gifts, talents and passion. Every Christian was designed for service, gifted for service, empowered for service and is needed for service (Mark 10:45; Romans 12:6 – 11; 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 13; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10 – 11).

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:6-11


And now, dear brothers and sisters, I will write about the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to each of us, for I must correct your misunderstandings about them. You know that when you were still pagans you were led astray and swept along in worshipping speechless idols. So I want you to know how to discern what is truly from God: No one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Jesus, and no one is able to say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:1-13


God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever.
1 Peter 4:10-11


6. We believe that the most effective evangelization happens through people inviting people.
God’s marketing strategy is found in one person reaching another. As a team member develops a genuine relationship with someone, they can invite him or her to CVCC. Evangelism becomes a very normal, natural lifestyle impacting others to commit their lives to Jesus, one by one (Matthew 28:18-20; John 4:35-28; 1 Peter 3:15-16).

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 – 16

7. We believe that the goal for every Christian is to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Discipleship is entered into through Bible study, prayer, participation in a Community Group (small group) and a desire to serve people with the gifts God has given us with passion, as well as to see people commit their lives to Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37 – 40; Acts 2:44 – 47; 1 Peter 2:1 – 3; 1 Timothy 4:7 – 8; Proverbs 27:17).

And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Acts 2:44 – 47

So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and back-stabbing. You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.
1 Peter 2:1 – 3

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:7 – 10


8. We believe that a healthy local church is one of the best ways to learn how to live in community.
Community is created when each member commits to becoming a person who is honest, truthful, open, transparent, vulnerable, sacrificial and giving. We demonstrate that we belong to Jesus by the quality of our love for each other. Love is to be the driving force of our life together (John 13:34 – 35; 14:15; 15:10 – 12; Colossians 3:12 – 15).

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:34 – 35

If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 14:15

When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.
John 15:10 – 12

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15

Community Group Statement Of Purpose

Community Groups exist to provide direct pastoral care, leadership training, interactive ministry, effective evangelism and an environment where true Christ-like relationships can be initiated and developed within a growing church.

Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving.

Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 27

CVCC must never stop growing:

a. Because God loves people.

The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:9 (II Corinthians. 5:14; Luke 15:3-10; Matt. 9:12-13.)

b. Because God commands us to reach out.

"...Go out to the roads and country...and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
Luke 14:23

"...you will be my witnesses..."
Acts 1:8

c. Because growth is God's will.

For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God.
Colossians 2:19

"I [Jesus] will build my church..."
Matthew 16:18