Life With God...It's Not What You Think

If you are anything like me, you grew up being forced into religion and yearning for the day when you didn't have to go anymore.  WHY?  Because "God" and "religion" were irrelevant to my everyday life.  The questions I was asking, God didn't seem to be answering.  The feelings I was having, God didn't seem to care about.  And quite honestly, all I ever really heard was, 

"Don't do that!  You can't...you shouldn't...you must not..."

So, to me, God was an ogre in the sky, if He existed at all.   That's just being honest...and that's where we need to start.    

If you're anything like me, then you're rather surprised you're still reading this crazy blog.  

But, if you're anything like me, then you would be surprised if you found out that God is not really who you thought He was.

If you're anything like me, then maybe you should come hear about a God who you can actually know and enjoy...who is relevant...who does make a difference in the day to day.  

If you're anything like me, or even if you're not, consider yourself invited to join us for dinner to hear a bit more about a new church for Rockland that believes in just such a God (see the blurb at the top of this page for all the details).

Hope to see you there,

Will

Clarity Comes in Stages

God was very gracious to us yesterday!  I am so thankful for His presence and direction in our conversation, and as I read through the decisions we made, I cannot help but get excited for what God is doing here.  He gave us grace with our words, honesty with our perspectives, and unity in our hearts....and all of these are clear indications of His Spirit’s blessing upon our church.  What a humbling, yet thrilling opportunity we have to see His Kingdom advance in and through us, and I am so glad each of you is a part of this family mission!

Whether you are a member of the Nanuet Project, one of our supporters, or just a curious reader, I am excited to share with you the decisions that God led us to make with regard to how we want to communicate WHO we are and WHAT we are all about:

VALUES

the gospel

We believe that the world is fundamentally broken, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot fix this brokenness ourselves.  The good news, however, is that heaven came to earth in the Person of Jesus Christ to fix all that was and is broken in our world, and to offer as a free gift to all, life as it was meant to be... “life to the fullest” (John 10:10).   

the church

We believe “church” is not where we go on Sunday mornings, but who we are everyday of the week.  As the church, we are fundamentally designed to live in real relationships with God and with each other, where we actually experience the irony of the gospel--that the one who gives his or her life away for the sake of others, is the one who will actually find real life (Matthew 16:24-45).  Therefore, we are a church that values and pursues deep, trusting, peaceful relationships that function to help each other grow more like Christ in our lives (Ephesians 4:15-16). 

the community

We believe that the gospel changes people.  We believe that changed people, living with gospel priorities and goals, transform their communities and the world.  Therefore, we are a church that seeks to be neighbors in every sense of the word: truly hospitable (Romans 12:13), caring for those in need (Luke 10:25-37), eager to see God’s blessing through Jesus spread to every nation (Isaiah 49:6).  

VISION 

To know Christ, and share His gospel peace with Nanuet, Rockland, and the world.  

This vision and these values are honestly well beyond our ability to achieve or live out...and that is why it is so exciting to see God lead us to a place where we will have no choice by to rely on Him.  There is no safer, more secure, place to be!

praying with you,

Will