Our Defining Vision
By God’s grace, this is the kind of people we want to be…
Our life together is characterized by Trusting God, Nourishing People, and Encouraging All in a Christ-centered Walk.
Trusting God:
As people of intelligence, energy, confidence, we often are guilty of handling things ourselves, or trying to handle them ourselves. Too often, we turn to God for help only when we are overwhelmed. Recognizing that God’s Word directs us to depend not on ourselves, but entirely on God, we commit ourselves to become people who fully trust God and call on him in everything. With God’s help, we will trust God to provide for our needs. We will trust God to keep his promises. We will trust God to be with us always and to guide us when we listen. We will trust God when we face challenges and circumstances that disturb us. As God has made Jesus Christ Lord of all and Head of the church, we will trust ourselves and our church to him.
Nourishing People:
As a people nourished by the love of Jesus Christ, so we are called to nourish one another in love in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes nourishing people means sharing hugs or sharing tears. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Sometimes it requires bandaging a wound, protecting a reputation, or helping someone face a significant personal challenge. Sometimes it calls for a discrete word of truth or honest feedback. Sometimes it is holding a quiet conversation, sharing a word of prayer, or taking a walk through the scriptures to find guidance and hope; peace and answers; comfort and spiritual growth. Always, it means responding to what God has done for us and taking the initiative to love one another.
Encouraging All in a Christ-centered Walk:
As a people, we affirm God’s call to lead lives centered on Jesus Christ. As sinners saved by grace, we recognize that maturity in Christ forms over seasons, the fruits of the Spirit ripen over time, and developing a relationship with God is never a flash and you are done thing. A Christ-centered walk is a journey. It involves seasons of ease and difficulty, of joyful discoveries and unanticipated trials, of rest in green pastures and restless desert wanderings. In this journey, we recognize our need and our calling to find and give encouragement as we worship together, as we study and apply God’s Word, as we seek and share wisdom, and as we actively invite others to walk with us as we follow Jesus.
