Who We Are

Worship – this is ground level. The worship of Almighty God is something that everyone can participate in…even the non-believer.  This is a huge priority for the Sunday morning service, and at New Life it will be led with excellence as unto the Lord.

“Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Psalm 66:4 NLT

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23 NIV

“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…” Ephesians 5:19 NIV

Word – this is the second component to the Sunday morning service. The key is solid Bible preaching presented in a relevant, practical, and creative manner with the sole purpose of challenging the listener to move into a deeper walk with Christ.  Whether that is an initial decision to follow Jesus, or the spiritual nudge that encourages a twenty-year believer to move to the next level in their spiritual formation. It is an on-purpose challenge for life change, and the tools necessary to make that transformation.  (John 21:15-17; Hebrews 4:12)

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 NIV

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Walk – this is all about discipleship and spiritual formation.  This component emphasizes movement towards a closer, daily “walk” with Christ in order to discover and begin operating in the spiritual gifts that God gives each of His children to advance the Kingdom.  This can be accomplished in a number of creative ways, including small groups, Bible studies, and mentorship programs.  The “walk” aspect of ministry cannot be accomplished on Sunday mornings alone, but by intentional application all week long to establish strong spiritual disciplines.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ…”

Why is this so important at New Life? 

“…Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT

Witness – this is where it all comes together.  The “witness” component is about the growing believer living out his or her purpose in the world, positively affecting the circle of influence in which they live each and every day – at work, school, the marketplace, and especially at home.  A growing disciple of Christ is the best witness in a world full of people without hope.  This core value also addresses where community outreach, foreign missions, and evangelism in general fit into the overall scope of New Life Church.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT