The gospel is not an easy message to receive. It confronts the worst of who we are and it calls us to change. At the same time, the gospel, when received, is powerfully at work in us. It shows us the best of who God as and gives those who believe new life in Christ.

It’s one thing to know that we should belong to a local church, it’s quite another to know where we belong. Finding our place can be difficult, but with a little intentionality we can each find a place to contribute in a meaningful way.

In Mark 1 as Jesus taught, it was said of him, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority? How do we respond to authority in our own lives?

The church is like a body, it functions best when each members is committed to the caring for one another in community as they live out Christ’s mission together. Each individual contributes to the well-being of the whole community, and the whole community contributes to the well-being of each individual.

Jesus immediately began to call disciples to himself when his earthly ministry began. This was an intense and life-altering call that required deep faith. It is easy for us to overlook what this really means for us today, but the reality of following Jesus is powerful even if the cost is high.

Jesus has given his church clear instructions about what it is to do. His people are to make disciples. To be the church is to participate in the work of disciple-making.

Baptism represents something unimaginably great, and yet – we get a glimpse of this unimaginable goodness every time someone is baptized. What is really going on here? Is it possible for incredibly powerful truth to be displayed in such simple practices?

The church is the counter-cultural people of God who make God’s name great in the earth by participating in what he is doing to restore humanity to himself in Jesus Christ. Believers don’t go to church, we are the church.