Encountering
By definition, an encounter is a meeting that defies expectations. We believe our encounters with God are often different than what we've expected.
Encountering is not simply meeting Jesus. Encounter implies struggle and confrontation. Jesus confronts and contradicts our sensibilities. He says, "the first shall be last." "Don't sit in the prominent seat." "Sell everything you have." "Go the second mile." "Deny yourself." "Take up your cross." He healed those who knew they were sick.
He opposed those who used religion for their own gain and significance. God rarely encounters us in the way we expect. (Genesis 32:22-32; Exodus 19; Exodus 3:1-5; Job 38; John 4:1-26; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 7:36-50; Jonah 1-4; Acts 9:1-6)
Encountering is not simply meeting Jesus. Encounter implies struggle and confrontation. Jesus confronts and contradicts our sensibilities. He says, "the first shall be last." "Don't sit in the prominent seat." "Sell everything you have." "Go the second mile." "Deny yourself." "Take up your cross." He healed those who knew they were sick.
He opposed those who used religion for their own gain and significance. God rarely encounters us in the way we expect. (Genesis 32:22-32; Exodus 19; Exodus 3:1-5; Job 38; John 4:1-26; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 7:36-50; Jonah 1-4; Acts 9:1-6)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus' example is one of humble mercy. Jesus defies our expectations for a savior. He confronts the religious, hangs out with sinners, speaks to the marginalized, and shows mercy to the undeserving. He is our Savior, our ultimate example of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
In and through him, we experience the fullness of the Christian life. We say yes and respond to his invitation to follow him. To encounter Jesus is to encounter God.
As Jesus was sent, so he sends us. (1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 6:27-31; John 15:1-8; Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 3:4-5; John 1:4-5; John 8:1-11; John 3:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10)
In and through him, we experience the fullness of the Christian life. We say yes and respond to his invitation to follow him. To encounter Jesus is to encounter God.
As Jesus was sent, so he sends us. (1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 6:27-31; John 15:1-8; Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 3:4-5; John 1:4-5; John 8:1-11; John 3:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10)
Together
The Christian life is a life of diverse community. We walk the way of Jesus together, following his desire for unity. We follow the example of the early church who shared meals, possessions, and concerns with one another. We desire to be a community of relationships marked by love, respect, honor, humility, and kindness.
We will reach out to our neighbors in love and service. We act out of our own unique callings and giftings as individual members for the greater good of the body of Christ. Together, we prepare one another to serve God as a community.
When we encounter Jesus together, God brings surprising changes into our individual lives and community. (John 17:20-24; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 3:12-14; Micah 6:8).
We will reach out to our neighbors in love and service. We act out of our own unique callings and giftings as individual members for the greater good of the body of Christ. Together, we prepare one another to serve God as a community.
When we encounter Jesus together, God brings surprising changes into our individual lives and community. (John 17:20-24; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 3:12-14; Micah 6:8).
Enountering
By definition, an encounter is a meeting that defies expectations. We believe our encounters with God are often different than what we've expected.
Encountering is not simply meeting Jesus. Encounter implies struggle and confrontation. Jesus confronts and contradicts our sensibilities. He says, "the first shall be last." "Don't sit in the prominent seat." "Sell everything you have." "Go the second mile." "Deny yourself." "Take up your cross." He healed those who knew they were sick.
He opposed those who used religion for their own gain and significance. God rarely encounters us in the way we expect. (Genesis 32:22-32; Exodus 19; Exodus 3:1-5; Job 38; John 4:1-26; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 7:36-50; Jonah 1-4; Acts 9:1-6)
Encountering is not simply meeting Jesus. Encounter implies struggle and confrontation. Jesus confronts and contradicts our sensibilities. He says, "the first shall be last." "Don't sit in the prominent seat." "Sell everything you have." "Go the second mile." "Deny yourself." "Take up your cross." He healed those who knew they were sick.
He opposed those who used religion for their own gain and significance. God rarely encounters us in the way we expect. (Genesis 32:22-32; Exodus 19; Exodus 3:1-5; Job 38; John 4:1-26; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 7:36-50; Jonah 1-4; Acts 9:1-6)
Jesus
We believe that Jesus' example is one of humble mercy. Jesus defies our expectations for a savior. He confronts the religious, hangs out with sinners, speaks to the marginalized, and shows mercy to the undeserving. He is our Savior, our ultimate example of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
In and through him, we experience the fullness of the Christian life. We say yes and respond to his invitation to follow him. To encounter Jesus is to encounter God.
As Jesus was sent, so he sends us. (1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 6:27-31; John 15:1-8; Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 3:4-5; John 1:4-5; John 8:1-11; John 3:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10)
In and through him, we experience the fullness of the Christian life. We say yes and respond to his invitation to follow him. To encounter Jesus is to encounter God.
As Jesus was sent, so he sends us. (1 Corinthians 1:30; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 6:27-31; John 15:1-8; Matthew 5:3-12; Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 3:4-5; John 1:4-5; John 8:1-11; John 3:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10)
Together
The Christian life is a life of diverse community. We walk the way of Jesus together, following his desire for unity. We follow the example of the early church who shared meals, possessions, and concerns with one another. We desire to be a community of relationships marked by love, respect, honor, humility, and kindness.
We will reach out to our neighbors in love and service. We act out of our own unique callings and giftings as individual members for the greater good of the body of Christ. Together, we prepare one another to serve God as a community.
When we encounter Jesus together, God brings surprising changes into our individual lives and community. (John 17:20-24; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 3:12-14; Micah 6:8).
We will reach out to our neighbors in love and service. We act out of our own unique callings and giftings as individual members for the greater good of the body of Christ. Together, we prepare one another to serve God as a community.
When we encounter Jesus together, God brings surprising changes into our individual lives and community. (John 17:20-24; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 3:12-14; Micah 6:8).
Values
See, Name, and Know One Another
Each of us is made in God's image, has a name, and has a story. We want to know yours.
Admit We Are All Broken
Our brokenness is not our whole story, but the courage and humility to admit it makes space for God to bring healing and wholeness.
Expect Jesus to Make Us New
We are all invited into the transformative power of the good news of Jesus.
Practice the Way of Jesus
Being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing as he did with others is a normal part of everyday life.
Celebrate Stories of God’s Grace
One of the best ways to encounter Jesus is to see how he is working in and through the stories of others.
Share Generously for Missional Impact
We have the ability to expand God’s Kingdom globally and locally through the sacrificial giving of time, money, and resources.
Statement of faith
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s unique revelation to people. It is the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority on all matters upon which it teaches. No other writings are vested with such divine authority.
God’s People
All people are created in God’s image and matter deeply to him. Central to the message of the Bible is that God loves all people and invites them to live in communion with him and in community with each other.
Salvation
Apart from Jesus Christ, all people are spiritually lost and, because of sin, deserve the consequences of their sin.
However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in his sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross.
However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in his sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross.
Death and Eternity
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At the final judgment, unbelievers will be separated from God. Believers will be received into God’s loving presence and rewarded for their faithfulness to him in this life.
The Trinity
There is only one God, Creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God, yet each personally distinct from the other.
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity, head of the church, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, performed miracles, willingly took upon himself all of our sins, died and rose again bodily, and is at the right hand of the Father as our Advocate and Mediator.
Someday, he will return to consummate history and to fulfill the eternal plan of God.
Someday, he will return to consummate history and to fulfill the eternal plan of God.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity, convicts the world of sin and draws people to Christ. He also indwells all believers.
He is available to empower them to lead Christ-like lives and gives them spiritual gifts with which to serve the church and reach out to a lost and needy world.
He is available to empower them to lead Christ-like lives and gives them spiritual gifts with which to serve the church and reach out to a lost and needy world.
Statement of faith
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is God’s unique revelation to people. It is the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority on all matters upon which it teaches. No other writings are vested with such divine authority.
God’s People
All people are created in God’s image and matter deeply to him. Central to the message of the Bible is that God loves all people and invites them to live in communion with him and in community with each other.
Salvation
Apart from Jesus Christ, all people are spiritually lost and, because of sin, deserve the consequences of their sin.
However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in his sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross.
However, God gives salvation and eternal life to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ and in his sacrifice on their behalf. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross.
Death and Eternity
Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At the final judgment, unbelievers will be separated from God. Believers will be received into God’s loving presence and rewarded for their faithfulness to him in this life.
The Trinity
There is only one God, Creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God, yet each personally distinct from the other.
Jesus
Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity, head of the church, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life, performed miracles, willingly took upon himself all of our sins, died and rose again bodily, and is at the right hand of the Father as our Advocate and Mediator.
Someday, he will return to consummate history and to fulfill the eternal plan of God.
Someday, he will return to consummate history and to fulfill the eternal plan of God.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity, convicts the world of sin and draws people to Christ. He also indwells all believers.
He is available to empower them to lead Christ-like lives and gives them spiritual gifts with which to serve the church and reach out to a lost and needy world.
He is available to empower them to lead Christ-like lives and gives them spiritual gifts with which to serve the church and reach out to a lost and needy world.
Church Rhythms
Understanding the Church Calendar
There are many holidays throughout the Christian calendar, not just Christmas and Easter! Check out our video explaining the liturgical year that Living Word Community Church follows.
Understanding the Lectionary
The revised common lectionary is a daily scripture reading that helps you read through the entire Bible in 3 years. Check out our video to learn more about this daily guide.