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OUR SOIL

OUR VALUES

LIVING MISSIONALLY

We believe in the call of Christ to "go and make"; therefore, we value that we are called to take the Gospel to Rockford, Illinois. Because of this, we are not comfortable waiting for people to "come and see" and instead strive to go and say "come and follow." 

LOVING RADICALLY

We believe in the unconditional and relentless love of God for humanity; therefore, we value the truth that we are commanded to love our neighbor without condition.
 

GATHERING SIMPLY

We believe that there is a need to slow down and to worship simply; therefore, we value that when we come to worship with an open heart and are made aware of the presence of God, very little extra "stuff" is needed to urge us toward this awareness.


ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY

We believe that Christianity is, by design, a communal faith; therefore, we value living in community with one another and are committed to meeting together in and outside of a Sunday gathering.

OUR CULTURE

Culture is that intangible thing we feel when we step in a church.  It is almost impossible to define, but essential to understand.  We believe the culture of our church should be shaped by Jesus.  And Jesus was filled to the brim with grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus was safe and holy.

 

Jesus was safe (Grace), not safe in the cautious sort of way.  Not safe in his radical life and teachings.  But safe to the people who came to him.  Think about it:  People felt remarkably safe in the presence of Jesus.  Outcasts, ragamuffins, prostitutes, pagans, beggars, and all those considered smitten by the religious establishment were welcomed by Jesus.  These people ran, pushed, and shoved their way into his presence.  They climbed up trees and dug holes through roofs… just to get to Jesus.  People wanted to be with Jesus.  He was safe.

Jesus was holy (Truth). When these people found their way to Jesus, their lives were transformed.  Sins were forgiven, bodies healed, stoning rocks fell harmlessly to the ground.  In the presence of Jesus, greed was transformed to generosity, legalism to grace, death to life.  Scripture shows us, time and time again, that it was rarely possible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be transformed.  Jesus changed everything!  He was holy!  He showed us what was most true about God, ourselves, and the world.

We are cultivating a culture that is safe and holy.  We desire to be a church filled with grace and truth.

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OUR MISSION

We strive to worship simply, love radically, and live missionally in our community.

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OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day, he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty (freedom),

in all things charity (love)"
- Augustine

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