ABOUT BE CHURCH

Jesus is perfect theology 

We are redefining and rediscovering church. Church in homes across our community. Where the deepest and most impactful living and being happens. Where walls come down and the dining table is a wreck following a fantastic home-cooked chicken tikka masala. Paired with some good wine, beer, or soda. Kids running around being kids together while seeing adults become unified, encouraged, and uplifted. People shoulder deep in the thick of Gods goodness. Really being present and together. Sweet friendships start to blossom. Where loving your neighbor is the norm and in its own simplicity, begins to multiply across the entire commUNITY. Where Gods design for humanity starts to become realized. Because GOD IS LOVE and this is what we believe real church looks like. Sharing hearts, hurts, and all of life’s anythings. Together, loving one another well. A movement that starts at the deepest level of relationships and community and works its way outward. Serving more and more of each other in ways and areas we need it most. 

To come together as humans, seeking Jesus in love and seeking to love like Jesus. Without an agenda. Without format. But with intention. Intention to love and serve one another and get lost in prayer and worship and conversation. In laughter, joy, and tears. Whatever it is, as long as it’s real, that’s what matters most. To us and God. You’re going to get out what you put in. 

And maybe zero days will look like another. Jesus isn’t tied down to mere pages in a book- He is in all of creation, in you and me. He and His love transcend our ideology and theology. God has reconciled(ing) all things to Himself, because He is that good, good Father who loves His kids. 

If we can be authentically ourselves with one another as we do life together- THAT’S church. If we can’t seek Jesus and be Jesus to others without the constant use of scripture, rituals, or the need to prove something- then scripture has become the idol, and not Jesus. Jesus says so himself. If we can’t be real with each other minus all the bells and whistles and programming- then it’s all a sham anyway. The Bible will always be foundational to our faith, but we don’t worship the Bible and don’t limit God, Holy Spirit, or Jesus only to it. 

We’re saying “goodbye” to organized religion and “hello” to the raw and real, more early church ways without assumptions and boxes to be checked. Without fear, welcoming questions. Holy Spirit is our guide, love is the motive, grace is our pillow. Embracing the Fathers love and living from it instead of towards it, because we already have it! We’re His prize!

Why are we doing this? Why are we changing? Because we are growing. Because though well intentioned and where good things still come from- church as we know it is broken.

When you formalize the gathering and place labels upon it, names upon it- expectations arise from church goers that are deeply rooted in legalism, fundamentalism, tradition, religion. Strong opinions take center stage. 100 years of religious indoctrination has enabled division. Things become business and numbers for staff. Then you are subject to constant scrutiny, judgement, theological and ideological idolatry- not accountability. Self righteousness and entitled pride get projected on pastors and others who speak about anything, but especially when preaching more love. Walls get built up and then before we know it- the church has become divisive instead of inclusive. Gossiping in Jesus’ name. Harsh instead of grace filled. Unloving instead of all loving. It turns into a club and people who pay their dues get privileges. It all gets turned backwards and then everyone is left wondering why there is so much dysfunction in the church… like “what just happened?” - It shouldn’t be this way. I don’t blame anyone for leaving the church- THAT kind of church. The church as in the broken western christianity of certainty and pride that frowns upon anyone who believes or sees differently that enables their faith bodies to look down on others instead of loving them with grace. We’re leaving that too. 

Religion divides. Jesus unites. The Fathers love wants to come crashing through your door, your walls, your guarded theological tendencies that you’re so afraid to question. Your hurting heart in need of repair and honest compassion. He welcomes your inability to answer everything. Because you’ll never arrive or know enough. Ever. We must be honest with one another. It’s a daily discovery of a deeper love from a good Father. It’s a constant growing and learning, just as it is with our relationships here. Our faith is active, our story being written- we are in process and we can be content in that right now. This isn’t the gospel of “lack” and striving- it’s GOOD NEWS. Let love be enough and grace takes care of the rest.

It’s time to transition into a more raw and intimate church. Growing outwardly instead of inwardly. Reaching more people with real love than ever before.