Like Jesus, WE seek to welcome all each person that join us and thank God for the opportunity to be together (Mt. 9:9-13, Lk. 15:20). To love someone is to accept their personhood (Gen. 1:26-27) while not endorsing every behavior or decision each person makes (Lk. 10:21-23, 1 Co. 6:12, 10:23-24), especially sin (Rm. 12:9). At all times, the church loves others by affirming the lordship of Jesus and our shared identity in him (Rm. 12:5, 1 Cor. 6:15). And this love is radical to say the least, the most absolute love there is (Lk. 6:27-35, 15:1-32, Jn 15:1-17, Rom. 8). It has countless facets.

Let's talk about a few...

WE are attentive to the Spirit.

We want to be and become daily discerners, a church who prayerfully hears (or senses) what God is saying and faithfully responds both personally (Jn. 10:1-5, Mt. 7:24-29) and collectively (Ps. 95:7, Mk. 3:34, Jn. 10:16, Heb. 3:7-15). By definition, Christian discernment is an openness of heart (our thoughts, emotions and desires) to the Spirit and to the communications of God in expected and unexpected places. We believe this "with God" living is where true life is (Dt. 30:19-20, Jn. 10:10).

Question: Why is being attentive to the Spirit, aka discernment, a primary value for the church? Why not Justice? Or Generosity? Or Hospitality? Great question. Answer: These additional callings will come when God speaks to our community to specifically step into areas of justice, generosity, etc. Discernment allows us to be open to the winds of the Spirit (Jn. 3:8) as we seek to love others together (1 Co. 14:26).

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Cor. 3:17).

May WE walk in the freedom Christ offers.

WE are Grounded in the Word.

The Bible is the normative, authoritative truth for all believers, has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct, and has been preserved in the Old and New Testaments (2 Tim. 3:14-17). Although historical, it is not a textbook set to answer all modern questions. Rather, when read and understood correctly, the Bible is a gift that sustains us (Mt. 4:4, cf. Ez. 3:3) as well as empowers us to love and honor God and others (Mt. 22:36-40, cf. Dt. 6:4-5, Lev. 19:18).

May WE handle with care.

In Scripture, the “water’s edge” is repeatedly highlighted as a place where God calls his people to trust him. Whether crossing difficult seas (Ex. 14, Jsh. 3:15, Mt. 14:29), fighting giants (1 Sm. 17:40), or simply needing a place to rest (Ps. 23:2), we trust that God is our source, guide and home (Ps. 1:1-3, Ez. 47:12, Rev. 22). From the water’s edge, Jesus encouraged the crowds to hear his voice (Mk. 4:1) and called forth his first disciples (Lk. 5:2) and redeemed them (John 21:15-19). The water Jesus gives is where we find love and life (Acts 2:17-18). And by the grace of the Holy Spirit, this love flows through us (Jn. 7:37-38). Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Have a listen as we celebrate one year being together.

Spiritual warfare. It's not our battle.

Our focus: Jesus.

Speak, pray and live in his NAME. The Lord takes care of the rest.

Let's talk about our encounters with those under spiritual oppression.

Kiddos…

Whiny. Messy. Grabby. Needy. Trusting. Dreaming. Snuggling. Loving.

Jesus says to become like them.

What does this mean?

With all of the opinions about church, faith, religion and her necessity, what if God may be doing something new (that uncoincidentally reminds us of the old ways of Jesus)?

Join this much needed conversation as we consider the following questions:

>What does our commitment to Jesus entail?

When difficult, socio-political conversations arise, how do we have healthy conversations, remain calmly convicted and pursue Christlike love?

Join us as we begin a much needed series. By God's grace, conversations like these will grow us.

Jesus is a great teacher. Yet, he is so much more.

When we hear "Jesus is Risen," this means that Jesus is alive with us in this very moment. In love, he wants to guide us and teach us what it means to love well.

Have a listen.