Statement of Faith

We are a part of the historic church and our foundational vision and beliefs seek to be rooted in scripture. On the Christian family tree we are a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and are committed to a Reformed perspective on all of life. One of the key tenets of the Reformed tradition is that our beliefs ought to be constantly reforming, changing, and developing in light of God’s continual revelation and the cultural context we find ourselves in. As a community we seek to follow after Jesus who is the Truth. Therefore Truth is known and discovered in community in and through the historic person of Jesus Christ.

Inclusion and Affirmation Statement

The Open Door Church is a community with shared practices, whose life in Christ and through the Holy Spirit strives to cultivate authentic, creative, vulnerable, and diverse spaces for connection and transformation. We desire to clearly express our full inclusion of all people, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community and other communities of historically marginalized peoples, as a means of expressing hospitality and assurance.

Our life in Christ and the Spirit that compels us to co-create with God an open and affirming community that offers a wide welcome to all people. We affirm each person’s God-given, invincible preciousness, that they are created in the image of God and growing in God’s likeness with ever increasing glory (2 Cor.3:18). We seek to embody the inclusive hospitality and embrace of God, viewing our differences as the beauty of the body of Christ. Each person’s uniqueness is a gift that shapes our church, and therefore we welcome full participation of all individuals in the life of the church, including ordained leadership. Our unique stories shape us, each other, and our communal life in Christ: our race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, economic circumstance, spirituality, ethnicity, national origin, family configuration, ability levels, and age. Each person is a gift to the Church, and together we enhance the beauty of the world. Without the full diversity of God’s creation, we are an incomplete witness to the body of Christ. We will seek to grow closer to that witness as we work together toward God’s justice, mercy, and shalom for all.

Community Practices

We seek to live in the way of Jesus by practicing simple weekly rhythms – to regularly…

Listen to God

We seek to practice listening by setting aside time of listening to God’s “still, small voice.”

In doing this, we will follow Jesus’ example of seeking time alone with God: “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:23). And we will trust God’s promise to meet us when we come to Him: “You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). The methods can vary: take a walk, journal, pray, meditate; listen to music, or any other way you find to be still with God.

Learn from God

We seek to practice learning by devoting time of learning, from Christ, through scripture.

Jesus says, “take my yoke upon you and learn form me for I am gentle and humble at heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Learning from Jesus can take a variety of forms but scripture is the primary text we seek to learn through (though not limited to that). God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12); useful for shaping and molding us and therefore we desire to sit under it and allow it to teach us. Consider the following passages to contemplate the dynamic power of God’s word: (Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Psalm 119; Luke 6:47-48; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).

Eat with others

We strive to eat with others outside our household.

Jesus regularly ate with friends and strangers. He culminated his ministry in the last supper, where he told us to do likewise. Eating with others is a place of conversation, community and hospitality and it is practiced throughout scripture in regular celebrations, feasts, sacrifices and gatherings of the people of God. Whether with one or many, whether coffee or a feast, whether serving or being served, sharing a meal together provides an opportunity to grow in relationships, to build trust, and ultimately for Christ to work through us in those relationships. (Numbers 10:10; Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 22:7-20; Revelation 19:1-9)

Encourage others

We seek to practice encouragement by intentionally encouraging others through words, gifts or actions.

Jesus said we will face difficulty in life but that we should be encouraged in the midst of that because he has overcome the world! God encourages the afflicted and listens to their cry. We seek to pass on that encouragement on to others. Through an encouraging note or email, a phone call, a gift, or an act of kindness we hope to empower others, lend courage, give strength and bless people as God has done for us. (Psalm 10:17; Proverbs 12:25; Romans 15:4-5; I Thessalonians 5:11, 15; Hebrews 3:13)

Give ourselves to the world

We look for regular ways to give away our time, money, skills, and/or passions to others and the world.

The great paradox of the life and ministry of Jesus is that in losing his life he gained it, in humbling himself he was lifted up and in giving he received. We strive to follow the way of Jesus by giving to neighbors, strangers and other communities, to serve them and grow the Kingdom of God. Examples of this are regular and structured giving like tithing, financial support, mentoring a child, fixing homes or child sponsorship, as well as the spontaneous prompting of God to give of our selves. (Matthew 20:25-28; John 15:12-14; Leviticus 23; Luke 12:22-34; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

Values

  • Reverence for God as Creator, Savior, and Sustainer

  • Transformation in our lives, neighborhoods, and culture

  • Friendship by fostering hospitality, dialogue, collaboration, and partnership

  • Authenticity in community by modeling risk-taking

  • Spirit-led faithfulness in both our individual and communal lives

  • Rootedness in the historic church and person of Jesus Christ

  • Struggle that cultivates spiritual growth

  • Innovation that reflects the goodness and beauty of God’s creation