Community

Acts 2:44-47; 4:32

Ephesians 2:19-22

The life of the Christian is lived out in community, gathered and joined to others in mutual self-giving for the sake of encouragement, challenge, support, and love, ultimately representing the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. We are no longer marked by our differences, but are now, in Christ, are a new humanity, a new culture, a new community joined to the Father and to each other through Jesus. This is what the church is. The Greek word for church - ekklesia - is derived from the verb kaleo, and the preposition ek (out of): men, women, and children called "out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God's beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14); a new community of discipleship, service, and hope.

Inclusivity

John 3:3

2 Corinthians 5:17

Galatians 3:28

Everyone is welcome at Good Shepherd Church. We seek to love and serve all people and welcome everyone into the genuine community that is life in the body of Jesus Christ. We will also be clear that the gospel calls us to a new identity, based not on race, ethnicity, age, social status, sexuality, or gender, but rather on Christ. All people are welcome, all the time. And yet, while we welcome everyone, we affirm no one. We acknowledge that the one common denominator of all people is our shared brokenness before a holy, righteous God. Every person stands in need of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, our life, hope, identity, and purpose are rooted in the sacrificial life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God who reconciles us to the Father forever. Our mission is to call all people to faith and repentance; to receive the grace of God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Diversity

Acts 2:5-11

1 Timothy 2:4

Revelation 5:9, 7:9

The kingdom of God, and therefore the church, recognizes the beauty and goodness of diversity, expressed in age, color, ethnicity, and gender, as all people are created by God, bear his image, and are invited to abundant life and truth through Jesus Christ.

Participation

1 Peter 2:9

Numbers 4:49

To be the church is to be engaged in the work of God’s mission and kingdom-building in real space and time amongst real people. This participation is exercised through worship, service, discipleship, and evangelism. At Good Shepherd, we will strongly encourage engagement in worship and discipleship. Worship at Good Shepherd Church will not be designed to be consumed, but rather to be participated in.