Why Rooted?
For a tree to be healthy it has to have deep roots in healthy soil, when this happens it will continue to grow even when the hard winds blow. Much like that tree we want to be Rooted firmly in Jesus because we know the hard winds are always coming. We recognize that we live in a culture where we are constantly called to be rooted in many things such as our job, our family or even our hobbies. None of those things are bad, as a matter of fact they are all good, but they’re not meant to take the place of Jesus. We desire to be a people who are firmly Rooted in Jesus and the good news of the Gospel.
For a tree to be healthy it has to have deep roots in healthy soil, when this happens it will continue to grow even when the hard winds blow. Much like that tree we want to be Rooted firmly in Jesus because we know the hard winds are always coming. We recognize that we live in a culture where we are constantly called to be rooted in many things such as our job, our family or even our hobbies. None of those things are bad, as a matter of fact they are all good, but they’re not meant to take the place of Jesus. We desire to be a people who are firmly Rooted in Jesus and the good news of the Gospel.
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Our Identity - (Who We are)
We are a Family
Because of the Gospel we are no longer lone rangers in this life, we have been made part of a family. As God's people, we are heirs, citizens of the Kingdom to come. For us, grace is thicker than blood.
of Missionary
This inheritance is not a secret...quite the opposite. It's good news the world needs to hear proclaimed and see lived out. Our Savior left heaven and moved into the neighborhood...thus, we reflect Him as we do the same for His glory.
Disciples.
As God's redeemed people, our salvation is secure. However, that does not lead us to apathy during our time on earth. As a people who have seen a sliver of the Lord's glory, we devote our days to seeing more, by His grace.
Because of the Gospel we are no longer lone rangers in this life, we have been made part of a family. As God's people, we are heirs, citizens of the Kingdom to come. For us, grace is thicker than blood.
of Missionary
This inheritance is not a secret...quite the opposite. It's good news the world needs to hear proclaimed and see lived out. Our Savior left heaven and moved into the neighborhood...thus, we reflect Him as we do the same for His glory.
Disciples.
As God's redeemed people, our salvation is secure. However, that does not lead us to apathy during our time on earth. As a people who have seen a sliver of the Lord's glory, we devote our days to seeing more, by His grace.
Our Values - (how we live)
Hospitality
Christians should be known as those who throw the best parties, because nobody has more to celebrate than us. We invite our neighbors and Gospel family to the table as a reflection of our Savior who continues to invite us each day.
Simplicity
The Gospel is not complicated for those to whom it has been revealed, on our hardest days we can be encouraged by the simple Gospel. We seek simplicity as we strive to make the most important thing....the most important thing.
Transparency
To be 95% known...is to not be known. If the Lord has blotted our transgressions, if He delights in us despite all of our doubts, fears and shortcomings...then who can be against us? We are free to boast in our weaknesses.
Generosity
We are a people who have been given everything in Christ, thus we reflect Him as we give generously. We hold tightly to that which is imperishable...but hold loosely to that which is perishable. We are stewards of His gifts.
Partnership
The local church is not intended to be a bunch of businesses competing, but a family seeking a common goal. We partner with other local churches and organizations to seek the welfare of the city where we have been called.
Service
Our Savior came not to be served, but to serve. He modeled another-worldly love by laying His life down for His friends. We testify of Him when we love the same way in order to glorify Him.
Christians should be known as those who throw the best parties, because nobody has more to celebrate than us. We invite our neighbors and Gospel family to the table as a reflection of our Savior who continues to invite us each day.
Simplicity
The Gospel is not complicated for those to whom it has been revealed, on our hardest days we can be encouraged by the simple Gospel. We seek simplicity as we strive to make the most important thing....the most important thing.
Transparency
To be 95% known...is to not be known. If the Lord has blotted our transgressions, if He delights in us despite all of our doubts, fears and shortcomings...then who can be against us? We are free to boast in our weaknesses.
Generosity
We are a people who have been given everything in Christ, thus we reflect Him as we give generously. We hold tightly to that which is imperishable...but hold loosely to that which is perishable. We are stewards of His gifts.
Partnership
The local church is not intended to be a bunch of businesses competing, but a family seeking a common goal. We partner with other local churches and organizations to seek the welfare of the city where we have been called.
Service
Our Savior came not to be served, but to serve. He modeled another-worldly love by laying His life down for His friends. We testify of Him when we love the same way in order to glorify Him.
Our Mission - (What we desire)
We desire to create a Movement
Movements make the “what” the accomplishment of the mission. The “what” becomes of higher value than the “who” or “how.” An institution is committed to inherited practices, right procedures and crediting the right person.
of Making Disciples,
Disciples of Jesus are not produced at random, this is a holy process that the Lord invites us into. He calls us to make disciples, to invest in the lives of others, helping them to grow in their knowledge of the Lord and to live faithfully.
Mobilizing Missionaries
We believe that God has called each of us to serve as missionaries in the places He sends us....whether Haiti, our office building, the school where we teach, or the block where we live. We don't go at this alone, but as a family.
and Multiplying Churches.
The Church is the bride of Christ and a healthy church is called to reproduce. Every local church has a start date and an end date...but the CHURCH never ends, her inheritance is eternal. Rooted's legacy will be churches planted.
Movements make the “what” the accomplishment of the mission. The “what” becomes of higher value than the “who” or “how.” An institution is committed to inherited practices, right procedures and crediting the right person.
of Making Disciples,
Disciples of Jesus are not produced at random, this is a holy process that the Lord invites us into. He calls us to make disciples, to invest in the lives of others, helping them to grow in their knowledge of the Lord and to live faithfully.
Mobilizing Missionaries
We believe that God has called each of us to serve as missionaries in the places He sends us....whether Haiti, our office building, the school where we teach, or the block where we live. We don't go at this alone, but as a family.
and Multiplying Churches.
The Church is the bride of Christ and a healthy church is called to reproduce. Every local church has a start date and an end date...but the CHURCH never ends, her inheritance is eternal. Rooted's legacy will be churches planted.