ABOUT

The word "Renaissance" is defined as a renewal of life, vigor, interest; rebirth; revival. This name has come to embody what we hope to be about, what we hope to model. You see, we believe Jesus brings life. He said himself in John 10:10: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Through Jesus, we not only experience salvation through grace, but we also begin to experience who we are meant to be. We aren't just promised life after we die, we're given renewed life before it.

Unfortunately, many have never experienced this version of Christianity. They've only seen it through the lens of institution, political affiliation or religious activity. Thus at Renaissance, we are built around the idea of returning to the ancient, simple vision of introducing the life-giving way of Jesus through tangible presence and relational community. We empower Christian dreamers, creators, and enjoyers of life to showcase Christ's love in the everyday stuff of their life, and invite people into smaller communities to explore faith and experience life to the full.

As a church, our primary way of gathering together is in smaller huddles we call Communities. These Communities operate as "microchurches." They all look slightly different but are equipped and resourced to be the church where they live, work and play.

The backbone that holds us and our Communities together are our three decentralized rhythms and our commitment to care for each other in our centralized rhythms:

DECENTRALIZED RHYTHMS:

When people huddle together in communion with God, operating as a spiritual family, and living out God's mission, they are the church. 

1. COMMUNION

God desires to be in relationship with us. A Community leans into that relationship together through time in Scripture, prayer and worship in some manner.

2. COMMUNITY

A Community is a group who does life together. They deepen their relationships with one another and care for one another as a spiritual family.

3. CO-MISSION

A Community is also co-missioned by Christ to proclaim good news and seek the renewal of all things together through Jesus.

CENTRALIZED RHYTHMS:

We believe that we are better together and that a commitment to the larger network benefits everyone.

+ CELEBRATIONS

Our Celebration gatherings are a monthly space to equip and recharge missional practitioners. Our family of microchurch communities and neighborhood missional folks come together to encourage one another, challenge one another, and to worship together. We always share a community meal and spend time connecting with others around the region.

+ MUTUAL SUPPORT

We offer monthly calls for microchurch leaders or missional practitioners to deep dive into the real time challenges of doing kingdom work, and to create collaborative learning environment to help one another. These calls are led by everyday, normal people who are committed to living as a tangible witness to God's kingdom.

At Renaissance, we operate as a network hub empowering, equipping, and sustaining beautiful kingdom people who are embedded in the everyday stuff of life. We look to come alongside others who are ready to live on mission and create communities of unconditional belonging where they live, work, and play.

This happens by creating an ecosystem that focuses on these five things:

Paradigm - We help people understand a simple, ancient way of doing church that allows true spiritual formation and discipleship to happen.
Relationships - We help people find a community of like-minded kingdom practitioners.
Imagination - We help people expand and reimagine God's work through everyday people in the ordinary, mundane places of their lives.
Space - We help people feel secure so they can explore at their own speed, leave performative spirituality behind, and overcome hurts without a timeline.
Mentors/Guides - We help people take next steps with seasoned practitioners who are committed to walking with them in everyday spirituality.

Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 3:16)
Jesus is the unique Son of God, and one of three essential parts of the Trinity. As God, Jesus is perfect and without sin. (John 1, John 9:38, Colossians 1:15, John 14:26, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Peter 1:19, Hebrews 4:15)
The Bible is the inspired word of God “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.” (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105) 
Every person has worth as a creation of God, but all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord. (John 3:16)
In response to God's forgiveness we should turn from sin, confess our faith, and be baptized into Him. (Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38)
The church is the body of Christ on earth and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It exists to reconcile the lost world to God and to commit to each other as the family of God. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:1-16)
Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

HOW WE VIEW GOD

Missio Dei

God is the source and the originator of all mission.
He is a sent and sending God.

Trinitarian

One – three persons, one God. This is part of the uniqueness of our God.
Love – this is the nature of God, and the primary characteristic of His Oneness.
Creator – ekstasis – all things created out of the love in the Trinity.
Spirit - God’s indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the source of transformation and calling.

Christological

Jesus is Messiah - He is the fulfillment of OT prophecies.
Jesus is Lord – He is our King and not just our Savior.
Jesus is Example – He came to live, not just die and be resurrected. He is a visible demonstration of the Holiness of God.

Gospel and Kingdom

The Good News is that in and through Jesus, the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God is here.
We believe God is at work in the world – by His Spirit and through His people.

HOW WE VIEW THE WORLD

The World

There is no sacred/secular divide. The world is the place where God is at work. God is in, for, and with us.
We believe one of our core tasks as humankind is to: 1) Do excellent cultural exegesis, and 2) Discern together how God is at work in the world.

Humanity

Every human is made in the image of God and bears a trace of the creator.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

People and Place

Both are important to God.
Contextualized, embodied mission are crucial as God is doing different things in different people and places.

HOW WE VIEW THE CHURCH

Identity

We are primarily God's children and a part of His family.
Our identity is rooted in the community of His people as we bear witness to who He is.
We are formed around mission (communitas).

Character

We live holy lives as our Father is Holy and as Christ demonstrated.
We are in, for, and with the world.
We are shaped by practices.

We are made for community and communal formation..

Vocation

God is a missionary God and we are a missionary people.
We are sent into the world to continue the work of Jesus. We are missionaries empowered by the Spirit of God.
Evangelism cannot be franchised. Holistic evangelism shares the good news of Jesus in new and contextual ways.
Leaders are to equip all of God’s people for joining the mission of God.
We teach people to discern God’s call and to participate in the kingdom of God where they already are doing life.

* Renaissance is a non-denominational, independent, Christian church. While we are locally autonomous, we have networking relationships with other churches and organizations.

Christine Lee
Culture Care Champion

Drew Thurman
Vision Champion

Fabricio Paes
Ecosystem Champion

Jace Rasche
Operations Champion