Core Value 5

We choose relational communities

Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

Resources picked special just for you!

Below are carefully curated resources for this core value. Check out all the books and other resource to help in your next step through your faith journey. You can also see all of our resources for ever one of our Core Values by clicking the button below.

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Core Value 5 We choose relational communities

Biblical Framework for Relationships

Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

Brett McCracken
Uncomfortable

It’s easy to dream about the “perfect” church―a church that sings just the right songs set

to just the right music before the pastor preaches just the right sermon to a room filled

with just the right mix of people who happen to agree with you on just about everything.

Chances are your church doesn’t quite look like that. But what if instead of searching for a

church that makes us comfortable, we learned to love our church, even when it’s

challenging? What if some of the discomfort that we often experience is actually good for

us?

This book is a call to embrace the uncomfortable aspects of Christian community,

whether that means believing difficult truths, pursuing difficult holiness, or loving difficult

people―all for the sake of the gospel, God’s glory, and our joy.

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Got Questions
What is Wrong With Being a Solo Christian?

This webpage from Got Questions answers the question, "What is wrong with being a solo

Christian?"

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Core Value 5 We choose relational communities

What is the Church?

Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman
Rediscover Church: Why The Body of Christ is Essential

Churches are currently facing a host of difficult issues―potential shut-downs and

restrictions due to COVID-19, political dissension among members, racial division,

church abuse scandals, and the list continues. While some attendees have temporarily

turned to virtual church services, others are wondering if committing to a local church is

worth the trouble. Is it really that important to gather each week?

Written for anyone struggling to answer this question, Collin Hansen and Jonathan

Leeman help readers rediscover why the church is essential. Rediscover Church starts

from the ground up, examining topics such as the mission of the church, the importance

of preaching and teaching, church membership, church discipline, and how to love

members who are different. This book is a timely reminder that the church is more than

just a livestream―it is an essential fellowship of God’s people furthering God’s mission.

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Got Questions
What is the Church?

This webpage from Got Questions answers the question, "What is the church?"

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Core Value 5 We choose relational communities

What is Church Membership?

Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

Jonathan Leeman
Church Membership

Why should you join a church? Becoming a member of a church is an important, and often

neglected, part of the Christian life. Yet the trend these days is one of shunning the

practice of organized religion and showing a distaste or fear of commitment, especially of

institutions. Jonathan Leeman addresses these issues with a straightforward explanation

of what church membership is and why it’s important. Giving the local church its proper

due, Leeman has built a compelling case for committing to the local body.

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Got Questions
Why is Church Membership Important?

This webpage from Got Questions answers the question, "Why is church membership

important?"

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Core Value 5 We choose relational communities

What is Baptism & The Lord’s Supper?

Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

Bobby Jamieson
Understanding Baptism

What’s the big deal about baptism?

Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized, and it’s a glorious picture of a person’s

union with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Still, many Christians feel unclear about

the topic, having more questions than answers. This short work provides a biblical

explanation of baptism. What is it? Who should be baptized? Why is it required for church

membership? And how should churches practice baptism?

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Richard E. Todd
Baptism: A Bible Study Work book for Kids

Baptism: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids is a great introduction for children on this

important, beloved sacrament.

Ideal as an aide to parents, Sunday school teachers, and children's ministry directors,

this book teaches children a number of lessons concerning baptism, such as:

Why we get baptized (to show others we have joined God's family)

How someone is baptized, and who may baptize them

How to use baptism as an opportunity to share the faith with others

But most importantly, this wordbook prese

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Bobby Jamieson
Understanding the Lord's Supper

Why did Jesus give the church a meal to eat together?

The Lord’s Supper isn’t just something churches do together, it’s something that binds us

together, making many into one. This accessible work biblically explains what the Lord’s

Supper is, how it relates to a local church’s life together, who should celebrate the Lord’s

Supper, and how we should approach it.

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More Core Values

Check out all 10 of our core values! We've got even more resources waiting for you—stick around and keep exploring.

  • Core Value 1 We exalt Jesus

    He is King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior and our God, and the object of our worship.

    Core Value 1
  • Core Value 2 We Focus on the Bible

    We love God’s word. As our source for truth, we teach it, study it, and apply it to our lives. When culture and Scripture conflict, we unapologetically go with God every time, sharing all truth ( even difficult truth ) in love and grace.

    Core Value 2
  • Core Value 3 We Make the Gospel Prominent and Clear

    Christianity is not about what we do for God, but about what God has done for us through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. We recognize the gospel of grace is our only hope, so we love it ad lift it high in all we do.

    Core Value 3
  • Core Value 4 We Embrace Authenticity

    We do messy because, except for Jesus, that's the only kind of people there are. So, we are real and down-to-earth. Yes, God embraces us as we are, but He loves us enough no not leave us there. We don't expect perfection, but we live for and celebrate ongoing transformation in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

    Core Value 4
  • Core Value 5 We Choose Relational Communities

    Making and growing disciples is rooted in love for the people around us. Our individual “communities” of family, church family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are where we invest in intentional relationships. We come alongside, life-on-life, to know and be known, introduce others to Jesus, and grow in our faith.

    Core Value 5
  • Core Value 6 We Champion Reconciliation

    As we embrace the gospel of reconciliation between God and man, we are freed to pursue reconciliation with one another. We passionately strive to protect the unity of the church, and grow in our love for one another that transcends race, culture, politics, and all that seeks to divide us.

    Core Value 6
  • Core Value 7 We Insist on Integrity

    The Church is both beautiful and imperfect. Sadly, the great message and ministry of the Church throughout history has been stained by lack of godly character. We strive for and safeguard integrity throughout all aspects of our ministry because Jesus values not only what we do, but how and why we do it.

    Core Value 7
  • Core Value 8 We Equip the Next Generation

    Our passion for ministering to kids and students is built upon a true partnership with parents and grandparents. Therefore, we’re committed to resource, encourage, and equip parents to train-up and disciple their kids in the context of hime, believing God designed the family as the primary place for discipleship.

    Core Value 8
  • Core Value 9 We Do Good Works That Lead to Great Work

    Our serving to meet practical needs in our communities is a joy and important “good work”. We do so in love for others and a desire to advance to the “great work” of sharing the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

    Core Value 9
  • Core Value 10 We Contribute Rather Than Consume

    Motivated by eternity that is set before us, we partner in ministry through generous giving and active serving. God doesn’t exist to serve us; we exist to serve Him. So, we are neither consumers nor spectators.

    Core Value 10

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