“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” - John Shedd
The Harbor is a safe place for ships to rest, refit, recruit help, and restock. The Harbor is also a launch point and a hub for sending people out on mission. That is why we feel the Harbor is a fitting metaphor for the dual mission God has given the church: 1) to equip the saints for the work of ministry and by building up the body (Eph. 4:12); 2) to evangelize and reach the lost (Mat. 28:18-20).
This means that we have a heart for planting a healthy Christ-centered church, that shepherds its people well, makes disciples, and sends out its members on mission to reach the lost.
Mission Statement:
Glorify God by making Jesus known through worship, evangelism, discipleship, and loving our neighbors well (Mat. 28:18-20; John 13:35).
Vision Statement:
To see Jesus worshiped as the true King both in Magnolia and to the ends of the Earth.
Core Values:
The Gospel - The good news that Jesus came to redeem us is the central message of the Word of God and everything in the church flows from its understanding of the gospel.
The Word - The church must be grounded in the right preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word for direction, discipleship, flourishing, and sanctification.
Discipleship - All Christians should follow Christ, grow in Christ, imitate Christ, and encourage others to do the same.
Evangelism - Christians are a missional people sent to tell people the good news about what Jesus Christ has done to save sinners and urging them to repent and believe.
Gospel Community - The Gospel creates a congregation of people, informs us on how we should live together in fellowship, and those communities become living proof that the good news of the Gospel is true.
Worship and the Ordinances - All Christians are to live their lives for the glory of God. The church does this through corporate worship, the ordinances, and in communion with God in prayer.
Meaningfully belonging to Harbor church can be summed up like this:
Go to Church
Go to Small Group
Go Tell
Go Disciple
Go Serve
Go Pray