PATH
PATH
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
We are all becoming something right now, - the question is are we becoming more or becoming less? We want to use this moment of disruption to grow deeper as followers of Jesus. Path (a rule of life) is a schedule and set of practices and rhythms that create space for us to abide in God and to live in alignment with our deepest, truest desires.
Below you will find some suggested practices beneath each direction. You’ll also find links to a number of other practices you could explore to tailor this to your personality and propensities.
UPWARD
UPWARD
UPWARDS DIRECTION learning to be with God
We believe that having a deep and connected relationship with God is the best possible way to live. We celebrate the divine in the daily, pursuing lives of attentiveness to God’s presence. Journeying upwards is the quickening of the conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose — all this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable.
Prayer
Prayer is the way through which we communicate and relate with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God.
As a church, we have determined seven spiritual practices that map onto our four directions to help us center our lives on the way of Jesus. These practices form our way of life together.
IN
IN
INWARD / Become Like Jesus
We believe that God wants to bring about a new humanity by redeeming every part of us. We embrace the salvation Jesus offers as the only hope for the healing of our relationships with God, each other, ourselves, and creation. We believe that all of life is spiritual, and that all of our fears, failures, and brokenness can be restored and made whole. We value the inner journey because we want to be fully integrated people–mind, body, and soul, emotions and experiences all offered together to God. This leads us to follow Jesus in the way He invested in the relationships around him.
(Our Path resources to come)
OUT
OUT
OUTWARD / Do What Jesus Did
We believe that Jesus is God in human form and that the Church is God’s ongoing presence in the world. Led by the Spirit of God, we are passionate about relieving suffering and fighting injustice, joining the God of the oppressed in living out the transforming message of the resurrected Jesus. Jesus calls his Church to be a compelling force for good in the world, and we believe that the Church is at its best when it serves, sacrifices, and loves, caring about the things God cares about. We were created to live for something larger than ourselves.
(Our Path resources to come)
WITH
WITH
WITHWARD / Following Jesus Together
We are called to journey together as one body. We value the image of God in all people, everywhere. We believe that we were created to live deeply with one another, carrying each other’s burdens, sharing our possessions, to pray for and confess our sins to each other, to suffer and celebrate together. It’s in these honest, loving relationships that God transforms us and truth becomes a reality. The way of Jesus cannot be lived alone.
(Our Path resources to come)