Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are pursuing a vision of discipleship, community and peacemaking based upon the Gospel or Good News! of the kingdom of God preached by Jesus. Below is how we understand and are interacting with the words and ideas of discipleship, community and peacemaking today.
Discipleship: As Christians, we are learning to obey Jesus Christ through his teaching, people, liturgy and sacraments. This learning is a knowable and achievable process provided by God throughout the Bible. One in which we start out as baby disciples but are expected to grow consistently into Jesus’ character through God’s grace and the things he has given us to do that forms our interactive relationship together.
Community: Mutuality and accountability form the foundation in which we are living our lives together. Mutuality brings a commitment to one another through shared experience and humbling ourselves to provide kindness, service and love for one another. Accountability is lovingly helping each other obey Christ through gentle admonishment, forgiveness and sound teaching leading to inward transformation of our character.
Peacemaking: As children of God we are to be peacemakers in every area of our lives. Through faith in Jesus Christ, the cycle of anger, manipulation and violence within us has been initially broken. By God’s grace we are to share the peace and healing we have received from God with our neighbors. By doing so, we are honored to play a small part in sharing the peace of God with the world. This peace is God’s original intention for humanity known as “Shalom”.
The good news of the kingdom of God affirms this vision of discipleship, community and peacemaking is not possible by natural means. As Christians we know the only way this vision can be realized is by the supernatural strength of God and his kingdom commonly known as his grace.