July 27th, 2026
by Micah Bosworth
by Micah Bosworth
From the very beginning, God declared that it was "not good" for man to be alone. We were created for relationships! Both with God and with one another.
When Jesus saves us, He doesn't simply adopt us as individuals. He places us into a family.
Our fifth core value is this: We Build Authentic, Grace-Filled Community.
"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." – Ephesians 2:19-22
And in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, Paul describes each one of us as members of ONE body.
The church is far more than a gathering of people who happen to believe the same things. It is the family of God, united by the gospel and growing together under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That means relationships aren't an optional part of the Christian life. They're one of God's primary means of shaping us into the image of Christ.
When Jesus saves us, He doesn't simply adopt us as individuals. He places us into a family.
Our fifth core value is this: We Build Authentic, Grace-Filled Community.
"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." – Ephesians 2:19-22
And in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, Paul describes each one of us as members of ONE body.
The church is far more than a gathering of people who happen to believe the same things. It is the family of God, united by the gospel and growing together under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That means relationships aren't an optional part of the Christian life. They're one of God's primary means of shaping us into the image of Christ.
People Matter Because They Matter to God
Every person bears the image of God! Every person has immeasurable value because they are loved by their Creator.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently moved toward people. He welcomed those who society overlooked, showed compassion to the hurting, sought the lost, and demonstrated that no one was beyond the reach of God's grace.
Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Matthew 9:36
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."
And James tells us what that should mean for us in the church: "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors." – James 2:1-9
If people matter that much to Jesus, they should matter that much to us. This means we don't see others as interruptions, projects, or problems to solve. We see them as people to love.
Whether someone has followed Christ for decades or is walking through our doors for the very first time, we want them to know they are seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. Because people matter deeply to God, they matter deeply to us.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently moved toward people. He welcomed those who society overlooked, showed compassion to the hurting, sought the lost, and demonstrated that no one was beyond the reach of God's grace.
Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Matthew 9:36
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."
And James tells us what that should mean for us in the church: "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors." – James 2:1-9
If people matter that much to Jesus, they should matter that much to us. This means we don't see others as interruptions, projects, or problems to solve. We see them as people to love.
Whether someone has followed Christ for decades or is walking through our doors for the very first time, we want them to know they are seen, valued, and genuinely cared for. Because people matter deeply to God, they matter deeply to us.
Authenticity Requires Both Grace and Truth
Real Christian community isn't built on pretending. It's built on honesty.
Every one of us is a sinner who is being transformed by the grace of God. None of us has everything together. None of us has arrived. Because of that, the church should be one of the safest places in the world to admit our struggles, confess our sins, ask questions, and seek help.
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." – James 5:16
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:1-2
But authenticity doesn't mean ignoring truth. Biblical community is filled with both grace and truth. Grace welcomes people where they are. Truth lovingly helps them become what God is calling them to be. Jesus embodied both perfectly.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." – John 1:14
When grace exists without truth, people are never challenged to grow. When truth exists without grace, people often feel condemned rather than loved. Healthy Christian community refuses to choose between the two. It lovingly embraces both.
Every one of us is a sinner who is being transformed by the grace of God. None of us has everything together. None of us has arrived. Because of that, the church should be one of the safest places in the world to admit our struggles, confess our sins, ask questions, and seek help.
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." – James 5:16
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:1-2
But authenticity doesn't mean ignoring truth. Biblical community is filled with both grace and truth. Grace welcomes people where they are. Truth lovingly helps them become what God is calling them to be. Jesus embodied both perfectly.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." – John 1:14
When grace exists without truth, people are never challenged to grow. When truth exists without grace, people often feel condemned rather than loved. Healthy Christian community refuses to choose between the two. It lovingly embraces both.
We Are Better Together
The New Testament is filled with commands that simply cannot be obeyed alone! Love one another. Encourage one another. Bear one another's burdens. Forgive one another. Pray for one another. Serve one another. Show hospitality to one another.
These "one another" commands remind us that following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. (See Hebrews 10:24–25; Romans 12:9–18; John 13:34–35)
God uses other believers to encourage us when we're discouraged, challenge us when we're drifting, comfort us in suffering, and celebrate God's faithfulness alongside us. We all need people who know us well enough to rejoice with us, weep with us, speak truth into our lives, and remind us of the gospel. Christian community isn't about simply attending the same worship service. It's about sharing life together.
These "one another" commands remind us that following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. (See Hebrews 10:24–25; Romans 12:9–18; John 13:34–35)
God uses other believers to encourage us when we're discouraged, challenge us when we're drifting, comfort us in suffering, and celebrate God's faithfulness alongside us. We all need people who know us well enough to rejoice with us, weep with us, speak truth into our lives, and remind us of the gospel. Christian community isn't about simply attending the same worship service. It's about sharing life together.
Community Should Point Us to Christ
Healthy community is never the ultimate goal. Jesus is!
The deepest friendships in the church are those that continually point one another back to Christ. We encourage one another with God's Word. We pray for one another. We remind one another of God's promises. We celebrate spiritual victories together. We walk alongside one another through seasons of joy and sorrow.
In every relationship, our desire should be the same: to help one another love Jesus more faithfully and become more like Him.
Colossians 3:12–17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
That's the kind of community that transforms lives. And it's not because the people are perfect. But because Christ is at the center.
The deepest friendships in the church are those that continually point one another back to Christ. We encourage one another with God's Word. We pray for one another. We remind one another of God's promises. We celebrate spiritual victories together. We walk alongside one another through seasons of joy and sorrow.
In every relationship, our desire should be the same: to help one another love Jesus more faithfully and become more like Him.
Colossians 3:12–17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
That's the kind of community that transforms lives. And it's not because the people are perfect. But because Christ is at the center.
We Build Authentic, Grace-Filled Community
It's often said that the church is more than a place to attend. It is a family to belong to.
We believe people matter deeply to God, so they matter deeply to us. We want to cultivate relationships marked by love, grace, and truth, where people don't have to pretend they have everything together and where everyone is encouraged to take the next step in following Jesus.
This is why we say, "We Build Authentic, Grace-Filled Community."
We are committed to creating a culture where people are genuinely known, deeply loved, faithfully encouraged, and continually pointed to Jesus Christ.
We believe people matter deeply to God, so they matter deeply to us. We want to cultivate relationships marked by love, grace, and truth, where people don't have to pretend they have everything together and where everyone is encouraged to take the next step in following Jesus.
This is why we say, "We Build Authentic, Grace-Filled Community."
We are committed to creating a culture where people are genuinely known, deeply loved, faithfully encouraged, and continually pointed to Jesus Christ.
Posted in Mission and Vision
Posted in Core Values, Community, Church, Christian Living, Relationships, Discipleship
Posted in Core Values, Community, Church, Christian Living, Relationships, Discipleship
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