OUR VISION
OUR NAME:
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 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.
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 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.
HOW WE MEET:
As a church, our primary way of gathering together is in smaller huddles we call Communities. These Communities operate as "microchurches" so to speak. They all look slightly different but are equipped and resourced to be the church where they live, work and play. Once a month we gather our Communities together to worship in what we call Celebrations.
The backbone that holds us and our Communities together are our three rhythms and our essentials:
The backbone that holds us and our Communities together are our three rhythms and our essentials:
+RHYTHMS:
When people huddle together in communion with God, operating as a spiritual family, and living out God's mission, they are the church.
COMMUNIONGod desires to be in relationship with us. A Community leans into that relationship together through time in Scripture, prayer and worship in some manner. |
COMMUNITYA Community is a group who does life together. They deepen their relationships with one another and care for one another as a spiritual family. |
CO-MISSIONA Community is also co-missioned by Christ to proclaim good news and seek the renewal of all things together through Jesus. |
+ESSENTIALS:
We value dependency, drawing close to God, His word and others rather than going solo. We value creating a culture of belonging, extending grace and love to people of all backgrounds rather than excluding them. We value finding unity in the Gospel message rather than splintering over secondary issues. We value authenticity, being real about our joys and struggles rather than creating facades. We value practice, living out Jesus' teachings rather than making them theory we talk about. We value empowerment, creating a culture where everyone's diverse giftings matter rather than a hierarchy where people are called to uniformity. We value a slow pace, being rooted in relationships and locality rather than having a culture of performance and results. We value celebration, together experiencing the joy of what God is doing in us rather than criticizing our faults. We value generosity, helping people live simply and give freely rather than being slaves to materialism. We value humility, listening and praying first rather than always pushing an agenda. We are Renaissance!
WHAT WE DO:
At Renaissance, we don't come up with all the ideas, but look to come alongside others who are ready to live on mission where they live, work and play. We do this by walking alongside normal, everyday people through mentorship/coaching so they feel empowered and equipped. The process we work through helps people:
+DREAM:
First, we help people reimagine church and find hope in what the church could be today. We are constantly meeting people who are spiritual but not religious, open to God but over the church, giving up on organized religion but still searching for truth, tired of hearing arguing about who is right, but still desperately desiring something real. So, we work to lean into these feelings and help people dream of what a faith community pursuing Christ looks like in our unique cultural moment.
+CREATE:
Second, we journey alongside people to uncover their unique calling and burden in God's kingdom. We believe strongly that God wants to use everyone to bring about his purpose in the world, not just paid clergymen. So, we help people discover how their talents, motivations, experiences, and geography shape what God is wanting to do uniquely through them. This is the basis for starting something and/or creating an idea to change lives where we live, work, and play.
+ENJOY:
Finally, we help people put their dreams and creativity into practice in their everyday lives by experiencing true joy. In the midst of our fragmented society, we believe the church should rediscover its ancient identity of shared community built on holy merriment. We help people find rootedness in their lives and become agents of joy in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and extracurricular activities.
