POINT of GRACE

Jesus' vision for his Church and the individuals who compose it is breathtaking. Who doesn't want a life characterized by friendship with God, great friends, freedom from anxiety, deep satisfaction and a sense of purpose with the strength to follow through? When the church is fulfilling Jesus' dream, there's a collective sense of awe that God is present and doing great things--like helping marriages, raising healthy kids, feeding the hungry, helping neighbors and spreading the hope-giving news of God's love.

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How does Jesus' vision become reality? At Point of Grace, we have a very simple plan to catalyze God's work in our lives and community. It has to do with simple habits that lead to great results. Popular author, John Ortberg, describes the difference between "training" and "trying." Just trying really hard to do something rarely accomplishes the goal. On the other hand, training leads to the inner strength to see real results. Just like working out physically, spiritual training requires disciplines that change us profoundly. Our character qualities, strength, reactions, values and virtues improve as we train to become more like Jesus. As we train spiritually, our hearts are changed. Then our families and friendships follow. Before we know it, God is using us more and more to help us change our part of the world.

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As a church, our goal is to provide the opportunities for people to grow. Really, we're a spiritual "gym" full of people training to become like Christ (compassionate, kind, helping, loving, etc).

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So what's the simple plan for spiritual growth at Point of Grace? Below are the three disciplines we believe will catalyze a vibrant and effective life in Christ. They correspond with our mission, "To know, follow and love like Jesus"

Step one: To Know Jesus

POG catalyst: the weekend service

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It all begins by knowing Jesus personally, learning more about who he is, talking to him regularly and worshiping from the heart. While relating to Jesus is more than a church service, we invite everyone who calls Point of Grace home to be a very regular part of the weekend worship. We understand that taking time to focus on God through worship and thanksgiving not only honors him but changes us. Also, we take time at the weekend service to learn his truth and apply it in very practical ways to our lives. The practices of learning and worship go a long way toward change.

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You can find out more about the weekend service here. You can learn more about how to cultivate a growing personal relationship with God here.

Step two: To Follow Jesus

POG catalyst: ministry teams

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We invite everyone who calls Point of Grace home to take precious time and energy to serve somebody in some way on a regular basis. Jesus taught that every human ever created (that includes you) has been made for a purpose. We try to help people discover their God-given gifts and passion and provide an opportunity for them to use them in a meaningful, team-oriented way. It may be teaching kids, helping a neighbor rake, leading something, communicating with creativity or handling administration, etc. At POG, we know that everyone is created for a mission and every mission is important and when we do it TOGETHER, great things happen.

You can find out more about our ministry teams here. You can find out more about our community outreach here.

Step three: To Love Like Jesus

POG catalyst: small groups

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Jesus was in a small group of twelve. He encouraged them and served them. He even washed their feet. In the same way, we invite everyone who calls Point of Grace home to give the gift of friendship by being part of a group. Jesus understood how important it is for his followers to receive and give encouragement to one another in the context of real friendships. If you think about it, Jesus didn't change the history of the world through mass rallies or political marches, he began very intentionally with a small group of friends who loved, protected and encouraged each other to love like their leader. You can find out more about POG groups here.

Our hope is that each person at Point of Grace would discover the growth and spiritual vitality that comes through training. God has given us his Spirit and love in abundance. Through worship, learning, serving and building strong friendships, his love is realized in everyday living. We hope our weekend service, small groups and serving opportunities will catalyze spiritual vitality in your life and impact our wider community too.

When followers of Christ follow Christ's model of friendship, service, worship and learning, his "body" truly becomes the hope of the world. Then, and only then, is his church a force for good unmatched by any other.