Principles
Corporate Services that are Vertical
Our Sunday morning gatherings are focused on hearing from God and speaking to Him, through such activities as the sermon, praise and worship, and prayer. This helps us as a congregation to keep a strong spiritual focus and allow visitors to enter into worship even though new to the congregation.
“Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16
Small Group Meetings that are Relational
God has designed us to relate to and benefit from each other, and small group meetings are the main avenue for that at Word of Grace. While these meetings typically include Bible study, they are also an opportunity for sharing about people’s lives and praying over specific needs that individuals have.
“So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26
Activities that are Essential
At Word of Grace our goal is to do a few things and do them well, and not be overwhelmed by too many activities and appeals. In this way we can focus on helping people come to know Christ and follow Him in life.
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.’” – Matthew 28:18-20a
Leadership that is Intentional
The elder team at Word of Grace is tasked with training the congregation and giving direction to its outreach into the community, implementing the principles spelled out above. This enables Word of Grace to have one cohesive vision in making disciples for Jesus Christ.
“And [Christ] personally gave some to be … pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” – Ephesians 4:11-13