Ministry Core Values
Ray Stedman Ministries has as its foundation the following Core Values:
- Expository Preaching
- The New Covenant
- Body Life
- Biblical Elders / Servant Leaders
- Spiritual Warfare
set of beliefs.Jesus Christ is The Truth. He alone is the life and power at the core of each of these values. Each one was given by the Lord, and together they marked Ray’s ministry for over 40 years. The materials on this website embrace, demonstrate and uphold these Core Values, which are at the heart of Authentic Christianity!
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Expository Preaching
As servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,
the Church can make its greatest contribution to a troubled generation by returning to a consistent and relevant preaching of the gospel; to the Word of God that reveals Christ on every page! God has always chosen to channel His power through the proclaiming of His Word.
Expository preaching derives its content directly from the Scripture.
It seeks to discover God’s divinely-intended meaning, and observes the Scripture's effect upon those who first received it.
Expository preaching then faithfully applies this revealed truth of God’s Word to those seeking its guidance in the present day — all through the lens of the New Covenant.
( 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Ephesians 4:11-16 )
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The New Covenant
At its core the New Covenant is Christ in you, the hope of glory
— Jesus’ own character and life fully lived through His people.
The incarnation, God clothed in human flesh, inhabits every believer — it is you in Christ and Christ in you.
With our identity firmly in Christ, we rest in the finished work and outpoured life of the resurrected, indwelling Jesus Himself in all we are and do.
( 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:5, Colossians 1:27 )
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Body Life
The New Covenant Church — the Body of Christ — is a living organism.
In our physical body, our hand moves as the brain directs.
So, too, the members of Jesus’ spiritual body take our direction from Him, our Head and very life.
Jesus has given each member gifts and talents, each gift being valued equally with the others.
In these gifts Jesus makes Himself visible and alive through us, equipping us to love one another and serve His kingdom in unity.
( Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-16 )
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Biblical Elders / Servant Leaders
The living Head of the Church is Jesus Christ; He alone is the Chief Shepherd ( senior pastor ) of the Church.
In shepherding His flock, Jesus has entrusted their protection and care to a group of servant leaders — mature “under-shepherds” called elders.
These men seek and submit to Christ’s direction for His people, and serve alongside them in unanimity.
They are accountable to the Lord to lead and equip His Body for the work of ministry, through preaching, teaching and modeling that is consistent with the Word of God and the leading of the Spirit.
( 1 Peter 5:1-5, Ephesians 4:11-13 )
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Spiritual Warfare
Satan seeks to deceive Christ’s people, to shift our eyes from the simplicity of following Jesus and onto ourselves and our own effort.
Through the cross and His resurrection, Jesus broke the power and bondage of Satan over human lives.
In liberty, we prayerfully rest in Christ’s righteousness, as children of the Living God, clothed in the full armor of God.
Jesus has won the battle, and we stand firm in Him — It is finished!
( 2 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 6:10-17, John 19:28-30 )
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