Vision: “Who We Are”
We are a diverse family of disciples,
growing together in grace and truth.
growing together in grace and truth.
This is our identity. We are a family of disciples. Our church is composed of those who are disciples of Jesus Christ, and we see ourselves as family. The Apostle Paul describes the church as "the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15), and he teaches us that relationships within the church are family relationships (1 Timothy 5:1-2; Titus 2:2-5).
Furthermore, we are a diverse family. That is, we are an intergenerational church. We seek to follow the model of the New Testament, where different generations help and serve one another (see Titus 2:2-5). And we are an intercultural church. We believe, when possible, that multiple cultures should be represented within a local church (Acts 1:8-11 cf. Acts 2:42-47). Paul also teaches that one of the fruits of the gospel is the that those who were formerly enemies, can be brought together as "one new man in place of the two" (Ephesians 2:14-15). When we stay focused on Christ, he unites us together, no matter our cultural background or generation.
Which is why we seek to be "growing together in grace and truth." Jesus himself is "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). And as disciples of Jesus, we also want to be grace people and truth people at the same time. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, because Christ is both all the time. We are united to him, as his body, and so we must be like him.
Furthermore, we are a diverse family. That is, we are an intergenerational church. We seek to follow the model of the New Testament, where different generations help and serve one another (see Titus 2:2-5). And we are an intercultural church. We believe, when possible, that multiple cultures should be represented within a local church (Acts 1:8-11 cf. Acts 2:42-47). Paul also teaches that one of the fruits of the gospel is the that those who were formerly enemies, can be brought together as "one new man in place of the two" (Ephesians 2:14-15). When we stay focused on Christ, he unites us together, no matter our cultural background or generation.
Which is why we seek to be "growing together in grace and truth." Jesus himself is "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). And as disciples of Jesus, we also want to be grace people and truth people at the same time. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, because Christ is both all the time. We are united to him, as his body, and so we must be like him.
Mission: “What’s Our Purpose”
We exist to glorify God by making disciples, who enjoy, embody,
and extend the grace of Christ, everywhere!
and extend the grace of Christ, everywhere!
Our primarily purpose is to glorify God. And we believe the best way to do that is to make disciples. Jesus is clear about the mission of the church: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). This is our primary focus. Everything we do must support and further this end.
A healthy disciple is one that enjoys grace, embodies grace, and extends grace, everywhere. The Christian life is a life of joy (1 Peter 1:8)! The gospel is so good and so surprising that it should be enjoyed and should enrapture our affections and lead us to joyfully praise God "who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing" (Ephesians 1:3). Then our relationships are meant to embody what we have received from God in Christ. We treat others as God as treated us (Ephesians 4:32; 5:1-2). And this then overflows as we seek to extend and reach out that grace to those still in the dark. A healthy disciple has these dynamics: Upward - enjoying Christ. Inward - embodying Christ. Outward - extending Christ.
We seek to do this everywhere. That is, in every realm of our lives - at home, in our neighborhoods, and in our vocations. And in every geographical location - beginning in Park Circle, then the greater Charleston area, our state, our country and to the ends of the earth, until disciples are made of "all nations," just as Jesus instructed us!
A healthy disciple is one that enjoys grace, embodies grace, and extends grace, everywhere. The Christian life is a life of joy (1 Peter 1:8)! The gospel is so good and so surprising that it should be enjoyed and should enrapture our affections and lead us to joyfully praise God "who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing" (Ephesians 1:3). Then our relationships are meant to embody what we have received from God in Christ. We treat others as God as treated us (Ephesians 4:32; 5:1-2). And this then overflows as we seek to extend and reach out that grace to those still in the dark. A healthy disciple has these dynamics: Upward - enjoying Christ. Inward - embodying Christ. Outward - extending Christ.
We seek to do this everywhere. That is, in every realm of our lives - at home, in our neighborhoods, and in our vocations. And in every geographical location - beginning in Park Circle, then the greater Charleston area, our state, our country and to the ends of the earth, until disciples are made of "all nations," just as Jesus instructed us!