Grace-Centered Worship

Grace-centered worship is to be pursued in every facet of our lives as we consider how all-encompassing the gospel is to us. It is nurtured through the gathering of the saints in a corporate worship gathering– primarily weekend worship services. Within these venues, we worship God by remembering the grace of Jesus through preaching, teaching, singing, praying and celebrating the ordinances of baptism and Lord’s Supper. Each presents an opportunity for the church to receive, remember, respond and rejoice in the work of our great King. (1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 145:1-21, Isaiah 43:6-7, Colossians 3:1-17)

 Grace-Centered Community

Though each Christian has a personal relationship with God, that relationship is not individual or private. The Christian faith is not intended to be lived in isolation. We were made for community – relationship with God and with each other. The local church is not merely a place that we attend but a people to whom we belong. The Bible calls us members of the body with the expectation that we contribute to the body for the glory of God and the good of His people. Grace-centered community is a radical call amid a culture of mere attendance and casual involvement. It involves mutual love, care, consistency and authenticity as we seek to adorn the person and work of Christ with our lives. Where these elements are lacking, we have moved away from grace-centered community and into the realm of social clubs. Grace-centered community is primarily expressed through our Grace Groups ministry. (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 3:12-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

 Grace-Centered Service

Jesus gave an abiding example of service when He washed His disciples’ feet, and issued a command for us to follow in His steps. We were saved that we might now serve. Grace-centered service is an expression of love and stewardship of grace marked by humility, generosity and hospitality and empowered by a passion for the glory of God. Service can and should be pursued in various ways by all recipients of His grace. Those who have been impacted by the grace of Jesus have countless opportunities – both intentionally and organic– to serve others by spending time with neighbors, volunteering in one of our Next Generation ministries, teaching Grace Groups, serving in the community, giving financially to the needs of others, opening their homes to their neighbors, etc. Service is not to be done out of obligation, but out of admiration for a Savior who gave so much in serving us. (John 13:1-20, 1 Peter 3:8-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15)

 Grace-Centered Multiplication

In perhaps the most famous passage on discipleship, Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus issues the Great Commission for the Church, which involves multiplication. We are to become better disciples through love for God and love for others by equipping and empowering others to do the same. We are called to growth as we extend the gospel of life to a dead world. Numerous opportunities exist for the work of multiplication. God has determined the exact time and place in which you live, work and play for His glory (Acts 17:26). God was intentional in directing our lives, so we should live with intentionality in all that we pursue. We multiply the kingdom by living with the purpose to make God known and enjoyed. Those who have been reconciled to God through the gospel have ample opportunity to enter into the work of grace-centered multiplication. From missional living in interacting with neighbors and coworkers to missional outreach or short or long-term mission trips, our lives have been infused with purpose and meaning. The disciple’s call is multiplication and replication through the gospel – for the glory of our God. (2 Corinthians 5:11-12, Matthew 28:18-20)