CTK Hope Church – Culture & Cadence Agreement
This agreement serves as our touchstone for unity, alignment, and clarity as we pursue the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ together. It expresses who we are, what we believe, and how we operate—so that our mission is carried forward with faith, integrity, and joy.
Church Identity and Mission
Core Beliefs
Five Solas
Conscious Avoidance
Leadership Culture
Church Identity and Mission
Ministry Description: CTK Hope Church is a collaborative, interdenominational church focused on biblical disciple-making.
Mission: Carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as a biblical and hope-filled church.
Strategy: To become a church of Impact Groups. These are small expressions of spiritual family, growing in faith, and going on mission. (family + growing + going = impact groups)
Core Beliefs
We cooperate with churches and mission networks that align with these convictions:
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” — St. Augustine of Hippo
- Incarnation – Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, fully God and fully man. (John 1:1, 14)
- Salvation – Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, accomplished by His death, burial, and bodily resurrection, to be offered to human beings during their natural life on earth (Ephesians 2:4-9, Luke 16:19-31, Hebrews 2:16).
- Biblical Inerrancy – Scripture is God’s truth without error in its original text, with Jesus’ life and teaching as its interpretive center. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Trinity – One God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—in perfect relationship and mission. The redemptive plan is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-10).
- Great Commandments – Love God fully; love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40)
- Great Commission – Make disciples, baptize them, teach them, and train them to make disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20)
- Return of Christ – Jesus will return personally and visibly to reign and make all things new. (Revelation 5:1-8)
We also affirm the Lausanne Covenant as a broader expression of our Christian belief and mission.
Read the full text here: The Lausanne Covenant
The Five Solas of Protestant Christianity
- Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) – Our beliefs arise from and align with the clear revelation of God’s Word, the Holy Bible.
- Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) – Salvation is the free gift of God.
- Sola Fide (Faith Alone) – We are justified by faith in Christ’s finished work.
- Solus Christus (Christ Alone) – Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity.
- Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be the Glory) – All glory belongs to God alone.
Conscious Avoidance
We will consciously avoid all error exposed in the Holy Bible
(doctrinal, moral, and relational).
Doctrinal
Gnosticism – The idea that there is secret spiritual knowledge that elevates a person in importance or impact. Christ is enough. God’s word is enough. The Holy Spirit is enough. There are no extra-biblical prayers or formulas people need to learn to elevate status or impact. Gospel belief, growing knowledge and application of God’s Word, and submission to the leadership of the Holy Spirit are wholly sufficient for life and impact in God’s kingdom. Colossians 2
Spiritism – The act of consciously interacting with disembodied spirits (human or demonic) to gain knowledge. Galatians 1, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Hebrews 2:16
Legalism – Adding rules or developing lists of what is required or forbidden, for salvation or sanctification, that are not specifically mentioned in the New Testament. James 4:12, Matthew 23
Moral
We will denounce, detest, and avoid anything the Bible calls sin (sexual immorality, greed, hypocrisy, etc.). We will aim at uncompromised holiness while trusting in the grace and acceptance of God through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1-14
Relational
We will detest and avoid those things the Bible says are destructive to the unity of the church, including divisiveness, favoritism, gossip, slander, and personal ambitions.
Hebrews 12:4, Philippians 2:3-4
Leadership Culture & Environment
We commit to a leadership environment that reflects Christ’s character and fosters trust:
- Respectful Tone – Speak courteously and reflect the character of Christ in every interaction.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6 - Clarity in Communication – Provide clear expectations, instructions, and goals so that everyone understands the way forward.
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” – Habakkuk 2:2 - Active Listening – Give full attention when others speak, without interruption or dismissal.
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” – James 1:19 - Constructive Feedback – Offer solutions and encouragement; never resort to personal attacks.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Transparency – Share information honestly and in a timely way, with no hidden agendas.
“We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2 - Empathy – Seek first to understand before responding.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15 - No Gossip or Backbiting – Address concerns directly with the person involved, not in side conversations.
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:16 - Calm Conflict Resolution – Handle disagreements promptly and respectfully.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” – Matthew 18:15 - Respect for Boundaries – Honor personal space and maintain healthy work-life balance.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4 - Recognition & Encouragement – Regularly acknowledge and affirm the contributions of others.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10 - Assume Positive Intent – Choose to believe the best about others’ motives.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Public Praise, Private Correction – Celebrate wins openly; address corrections privately.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1
Cadence
We balance intentional rhythm with organic connection:
- Intentional & Serendipitous Interaction – We make room for both planned and spontaneous connections.
- Regular Supervisor Check-ins – Every team member meets regularly with their direct leader.
- Team-Building Retreats – Twice a year, ministry staff will gather for renewal, vision, and connection. The CTK Hope Church Board will be invited to least one day of participation in each retreat.
Unity in Leadership
We are a leadership family—board, executive team, lead team, and ministry leads—walking together in mission. We welcome diverse perspectives in decision-making, speaking openly and prayerfully for the good of the mission.
Once a decision is reached, we own it together.
We speak with one voice—inside and outside the church—avoiding language that frames decisions as “theirs” or “mine.” This unity builds trust, keeps us aligned, and demonstrates that our shared mission outweighs personal preference. Together, we protect the unity that makes our leadership strong.
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