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Distinctives

1.  Transforming Grace (We love, because he first loved us.  1 John 4:19):

We believe that we are called  by God to be a church that faithfully, joyfully, and authentically proclaims and demonstrates in understandable ways the incomprehensible grace of God that we have found in Jesus Christ.  We do not want to impress people.  We want to embrace people.
Parable- Prodigal Son/Older Brother (Luke 15:11-32)

2.  Ever-Increasing Energy (All over the world, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you . . . Col. 1:6):  

We believe that we are called by God to be a community of faith that is adequately large and adequately resourced to sustain a variety of engaging, encouraging, attractive ministries of discipleship, worship, attraction, connection, and compassion. We want to energize one another and increase our impact for good in our community and world.   
Parable- Sower (Mark 4:1-20)

3.  Inspiring Expectations (“Put this money to work,” he said, “until I come back.” Luke 19:13):  

We believe that we are called by God to be a church with a start-up state of mind, united by a dream, energized by expectations for the future, embracing uncertainty, challenge, sacrifice and risk, in the belief that the results of our efforts will be worth whatever it costs us. 
Parable- Minas (Luke 19:11-27)

4.  Compassionate Ministry (“Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Luke 10:27):

We believe that we are called by God to show love to the world, to help hurting people.  In addition to making disciples, we are supposed to act like disciples ourselves, helping people in need as we can wherever we find them. We want the world to be a better place because our church exists.   
Parable-Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

5.  Bold Faith (And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14):

We believe that we are called by God to be a church that is ready and willing to trust God for big things, taking risks to advance the Kingdom of God.  Risks that are not really risks at all if they are what we believe God wants us to do.
Parable- Hidden Treasure/Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)

6.  Passionate Commitment (And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27) : 

We believe that we are called by God to be a church that is ready to sacrifice in the service of Jesus Christ. “There is no victory at bargain basement prices. “ (Eisenhower) We are commissioned to reach and teach others with the message of Jesus Christ. Everything we are and have is to be used as effectively as possible.
Parable- Tower/King (Luke 14:28-33)