DNA: “PARTICIPATION OVER PERFORMANCE”

Community is the ultimate key to connection. For that reason, we value people coming to our church and soon after getting involved in service opportunities. We don’t believe that the Sunday gatherings are a performance for you to experience. We believe that the Sunday gatherings and everything that we do is meant to grow your faith to the point of personal action. We highly value participation! Too many American church Christians are consumed with what can benefit them and their families over what will both honor God and benefit others. Many years ago, we changed some of the “language” of our church to be more “in line” with actual Biblical teaching. For instance, we don’t “go to church,” WE ARE THE CHURCH! Another example is that we don’t have “services” on Sunday; we have “gatherings!” You might wonder if this is semantics, and we would say it’s not! Why? Because “services” implies that the staff is here to serve you, and while there is some truth to this thought, we want you to come and participate in the Sunday worship experience through learning, praying, giving, praising, serving, and many other opportunities. The last thing the 21st century church needs is spectators; we need participators who GATHER with the church to make impacts! The Apostle Paul made this truth abundantly clear when he demanded that disciples of Jesus be “living sacrifices!” He explained that all of us have spiritual gifts that must be activated to both reach the world with the Gospel and to “build up” one another in truth. One of the most underrated aspects of being a “church partner” is humble behaviors toward one another. What this means is that in order to keep the mission moving forward, we must put others’ needs above our own wants. This is done with a sense of urgency as we anticipate the imminent return of Jesus Christ. How are you participating in the “life of the church?” How are you sacrificing for fellow church members? How urgent are you to both honor God in your lifestyle and to preach the Gospel to a “lost” community? Emmanuel is NOT about the “stage”; we are about service! Emmanuel is NOT a production; we are here to help you live out your purpose!