It would be disingenuous if in this series we did not address one of the largest "elephants in the room"... A Christian response to the LGBTQ+ community.

And fair warning - there may be different segments of our congregation who will be expecting one thing but come away disappointed.

Some might be expecting a berating of this community; a "punching down" of sorts that will shame and judge them, with the bottom line message of "Either shape up or ship out".
Those folks will be disappointed.

Some might be expecting an accommodation to the new cultural norms of unquestioning affirmation for the sake of not offending anyone.
Those folks will be disappointed as well.

What you WILL get is an honest and vulnerable talk on how we see the Bible speak into this topic. A Bible that doesn't create a binary between truth and love. As well as verses that don't speak to 5-7% of the population but literally to each and every one of us. NAC has traditional beliefs around sexuality and marriage, but the Bible also calls us to to show authentic love and hospitality to everyone, so how do we exist in that tension?

No matter your position on this issue, we believe there is something here for everyone.

AI can learn, create, and imitate, but it cannot bear God’s image.

Ever wonder why the Bible keeps telling us to REMEMBER, yet also encourages us to look ahead with hope?

How do we hold onto what God has done without getting stuck in the past? And what simple, real ways can we keep His faithfulness alive as we step into what's next?

After 40 years as a church and 40 days of focused prayer, we close this series talking about the tension: how memory anchors us, but also how Jesus is “making all things new”, creating a fresh future out of even the most broken past.

Last week Pastor Jonathan shared both a desire and really a "Holy Discontent" about the kind of Church we would like to be in the NEXT 40 years. We talked about the priority of Discipleship and how much harder it is to disciple people today with cultural forces and modern society seemingly working against it.

In a serendipitous overlap this week, we'll talk about our desire to have NAC be a place of healing. But what is it about our generation, location, and mindset that we put our "faith" in almost every other strategy, scheme, or science BEFORE we consider seeking God?

Could it be we need to UN-learn some things?

As we celebrate 40 years as a church, we reflect on the discipleship that has shaped us. But the world is changing rapidly. In a culture dominated by the internet, fake news and gratification, are we equipped to face the next 40 years?

How can we stay true to our mission of making disciples in an age where information overload threatens authentic connection with God?
What does it mean to hunger and thirst for Jesus in a world that promises quick fixes and easy answers?

If you are bringing any goal... big or small... into these 40 days; In fact, if you are trying to become more like Christ in ANY capacity, I can promise you this: You WILL be tempted to abandon your goal...
To get off course
To compromise or justify
To take the easy route
To SIN
So, since we KNOW this is coming (and this is likely the time in a 40-day commitment when people start to really backslide) let's get ready for the righteous fight.

And aren't you glad we have a Saviour who knows a thing or two about successfully pushing back against temptation.

Unless you believe you can muster up all your willpower and 'pull up your socks' with your good Protestant work ethic - and determine through grit and gnashed teeth that you can make the kind of transformational changes in your life you desire to make during this season, (or any season for that matter) - you need to know that is a losing strategy. A downright discouraging strategy.

Aren't you glad you were never meant to make character formation or habit changes alone?

There is someone not only with the POWER to help you, but who is absolutely your biggest cheerleader in this endeavor.

KICK OFF SERIES BEGINS!
We begin a series in which we celebrate a proud legacy of God at work in our Church and, perhaps more importantly, look forward to the "new thing" God is going to do in our midst.

And as we come specifically to the number 40, we see it has incredible significance in scripture. In fact, there's something about this number that may even be part of our personal and collective transformation.

Community isn’t an Option. It’s a Necessity. John Mark Comer (Author of "Practicing the Way") expands this truth when he writes, "Community is like the incubator for our spiritual formation." We live life to the fullest when we do it in community.

Discover why prayer, serving others, and investing in the next generation are at the heart of a thriving church community. This message invites you to join a journey of faith through the upcoming 40 Days of Prayer, and see how everyone has a part to play in shaping the future.