Our Practices
There is an old saying,
watch your thoughts, for they become your words
watch your words, for they become your actions
watch your actions, for they become your habits
watch your habits, for they become your character
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
The kind of people we become is directly related to the habits we practice in life. At First Church there are several practices that help form us as God’s people.
We worship together every week. In addition to worship, we pursue spiritual growth and deep relationships in Bible studies, small groups, and Sunday school classes. We help one another discover our spiritual gifts and use them regularly to serve in the church and in the world, especially in peace and justice ministries. We seek to offer warm hospitality to those who visit us. We give to the church in proportion to our incomes. We share God’s grace and truth with those all around us, in our homes and neighborhoods, at work, with our friends and family members – all the places we go and all the people we know. We pray for our church and the world.
Everyone is welcome to attend worship or any ministry of the church without becoming a member. If you are interested in pursuing membership, however, we ask that you live out the membership vows for six to nine months so that you will come to belong to First Church, to be connected relationally before actually becoming a member. This belonging before becoming happens when you are relationally connected to a spiritually formative group (for growth, care, Bible study, prayer, etc.) and a service or ministry (in which to use your gifts and talents). We want to help you find your place in the body of Christ. Our purpose is not just to make members but also to make disciples of Jesus.
If you would like to talk to someone about this, please contact the church office or one of the pastors.
Learn more about the basics of Christian discipleship at http://www.gbod.org/homepage/new_home/mog/page_1.htm
Check out the way of Christ for young adults at http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/