“What If?” Celebration

REAL: A place where all people with all backgrounds, viewpoints, habits hang-ups, hurts, successes and defeats are welcome as is. We encourage people to share honestly about where they are in life and their spiritual journey. Jesus was criticized for hanging out with “sinners” and we want to be criticized for the same (Matt. 9:9-13). Furthermore, we understand that no true healing can happen until the people of the church openly confess their sins, struggles and concerns to one another (James 5:16).

Transformed: We will build a church that exists to see people transformed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This means we will put the needs of those who do not yet know Christ before that of those who do as an act of love as Jesus calls us to (Luke 15:4-11). At the same time, we are committed to seeing every follower of Christ grow in Christ-like love, which is spiritual maturity (Romans 12:1-2).

Connected: The saying is true, “Healthy churches grow.” Therefore as we grow it is even more important that we are intentional about connecting with one another. Our dream is not that every person know every other person by name, but that every person know a handful of people in the Body so well that when one of them rejoices they all do and when one of them weeps, they all do (Romans 12:15).

Poured out: We are committed to being a church that is poured out in service to others. Jesus gave us the example (John 13:1-17), promising that who ever tries to save their life will loose it, but who ever looses their life for the sake of the good news of Christ will gain it! We will not stop pouring out our time, energy, talent and money into meeting the spiritual, material and emotional needs of others.