While we strive for excellence, we don’t expect perfection.

We will be real, relatable and transparent.  Transparency allows others to see that they are not alone; that there is hope for spiritual growth.  God is not more God on Sunday than He is on Monday, and we will lieve the same throughout the week as we do on Sunday.  

This is a church where the imperfect are perfectly welcome.

We are not puttong on a performance, church is not a production.  We don’t pretend to be perfect and we won’t be pretentious.  This is why you will most often see people dressed in everyday clothes.  This is why you will hear our pastors sharing failures as well as wins in sermons.  We will live authentically.

While we stand firm in our faith, we maintain a teachable spirit.

We lead with grace.  If we are going to err, we prefer to err on the side of grace.  We don’t hold grudges.  We forgive in advance.

We know that this side of heaven, none of us will have everything right.  We choose to surrender to God’s word and His leading.  He is right anytime we disagree.  Only God is God.  No one is better than another.  We may have different roles, but we all stand on the same level before God.  This is why we say “every believer is a minister, everyone is gifted in some area, and every task is important.”  It is through humility that we advance in ministry at Discover Church.

Though we value organizational growth, we prioritize people over projects.  

Everyone needs Jesus, so we seek to reach our community with the gospel and grow as a church – at the same time we see the local church as a family.  We are always moving forward, seeking what God would have for us next – but we understand there is a tension between growing large and growing close.

Our decisions are aimed at heling the church feel relational rather than corporate.  We are children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ, so we place a high value on relationships.  That is why our heart is for planting more churches as opposed to growing a megachurch here. It is why wou’ll see our teams and staff enjoying each others company – we’re not just here for a task.

We pursue Holiness on a path paved with Grace.

We motivate each other toward holy living, but we do so with self-awareness of our own weaknesses.  We are not seeking to find sin, but we confront and restore in grace and love when needed.

When someone is stuck in sin, we help to pull them out – not push them down.

We celebrate a trajectory toward faith.  We foster continual growth, recognizing that we are not done until heaven.  We love repentance, transformation, and restoration.  This is why Discover Church has been a healthy place for people who have been hurt in churches to heal and return to their home church.  It is why you will hear us say “the imperfect are perfectly welcome.”

We are gospel focused and set aside our personal agendas.

The Kingdom of God is more important than any earthly kingdom, including political preferences, career or business goals, or personal agendas.  It is not about us!

The church is the only organization on earth that exists expressly for its non-members.

We love Discover Church, but we see ourselves as a local church that is part of the global Church.  We partner with other believers and gospel-focused churches and organizations to propel the message of Jesus in Hampden, throughout Maine, and beyond.  This is why you’ll hear us recommend other churches.  It is why we seek to work alongside like-minded churches for the sake of the gospel.  It is why you won’t hear us using political agendas.

We are serious about our faith, but we choose to make it fun!

God, Christianity, and Church are not boring – let’s not make them feel that way.  We won’t be stuffy.  We will encourage one another.  We will take joy in other’s success.  

Church should be an enjoyable experience.  We want you to feel welcome.  We have fun together – on our teams, in our groups, in our services… and you are invited!