grow your faith.
Jesus has given us a clear understanding of what it means to be his disciples. We pray these resources will help you develop your understanding of who Jesus is and his purpose for your life!
Baptism
Baptism is an important step in one's faith journey as a believer in Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of one's decision to follow Jesus and a symbol of the cleansing of sins through His death and resurrection. In baptism, we identify with Jesus in his death and resurrection, and become a part of his body, the Church.
Scripture tells us that Jesus himself was baptized as an example for us to follow. In Matthew 3:13-17, we read of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"
In Acts 2:38, we read of Peter's instruction to the people on the day of Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Baptism is not only a symbol of our faith and commitment to Jesus, but it also demonstrates the cleansing of sins and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 6:4, we read, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
It is a sacrament that marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, a new creation, and a member of the body of Christ. It is a public declaration of one's faith and a powerful symbol of the transformative power of Jesus Christ in one's life.
Scripture tells us that Jesus himself was baptized as an example for us to follow. In Matthew 3:13-17, we read of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"
In Acts 2:38, we read of Peter's instruction to the people on the day of Pentecost, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Baptism is not only a symbol of our faith and commitment to Jesus, but it also demonstrates the cleansing of sins and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 6:4, we read, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
It is a sacrament that marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, a new creation, and a member of the body of Christ. It is a public declaration of one's faith and a powerful symbol of the transformative power of Jesus Christ in one's life.
Book Recommendations
The following are Books that Pastor Chris has read and believes are beneficial to spiritual growth.
You'll notice a tag that identifies what season of life the book is best suited for.
You'll notice a tag that identifies what season of life the book is best suited for.
The Common Rule
Practical Spiritual Formation 16+
Book Description
Habits shape us more than we shape them. The modern world imposes numerous invisible habits that make us anxious and exhausted. We crave the peace of the gospel but are addicted to technology and worn out by routines. Since these habits are nearly invisible to us, we need a solution.
The Common Rule suggests practicing a rule of life to align habits with beliefs, offering four daily and four weekly habits to transform our lives. Justin Earley provides practical steps, like an hour of phoneless presence daily or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits are meant to be practiced in community and have brought hope to people from all walks of life.
By adopting these practices, you can find the freedom and rest that come from aligning your life with the teachings of Jesus.
The Common Rule suggests practicing a rule of life to align habits with beliefs, offering four daily and four weekly habits to transform our lives. Justin Earley provides practical steps, like an hour of phoneless presence daily or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits are meant to be practiced in community and have brought hope to people from all walks of life.
By adopting these practices, you can find the freedom and rest that come from aligning your life with the teachings of Jesus.
Garden City
Understanding how any occupation can build the kingdom 16+
Book Description
In Garden City, John Mark Comer gives a surprisingly countercultural take on the typical "spiritual" answer the church gives in response to questions about purpose and calling. Comer explores Scripture to discover God's original intent for how we're meant to spend our time, reshaping how you view and engage in your work, rest, and life.
In these pages, you'll learn that, ultimately, what we do matters just as much as who we are. Garden City will help you find answers to questions like:
In these pages, you'll learn that, ultimately, what we do matters just as much as who we are. Garden City will help you find answers to questions like:
- Does God care where I work?
- Does he have a clear direction for me?
- How can I create a practice of rest?
Restless Devices
Digital Discipleship - Growing a healthy relationship with our phones 16+
Book Description
Today's digital technologies shape our attention, boundaries, and relationships, even affecting our connection to God. While they offer benefits, they also make us feel exhausted and permanently connected. Resisting these digital influences can seem futile.
Sociologist Felicia Wu Song examines the impact of digital ecosystems on our lives, combining insights from psychology, neurology, and sociology with theological reflection. She asks:
- What kind of people are we becoming with personal technologies?
- Who do we really want to be?
Song explores the subtle control of the digital age, the values in our apps, and the economic systems driving our habits. She offers pathways for meaningful resistance through Christian traditions, emphasizing human worth, embodiment, relationality, and time, along with practical experiments for change.
Sociologist Felicia Wu Song examines the impact of digital ecosystems on our lives, combining insights from psychology, neurology, and sociology with theological reflection. She asks:
- What kind of people are we becoming with personal technologies?
- Who do we really want to be?
Song explores the subtle control of the digital age, the values in our apps, and the economic systems driving our habits. She offers pathways for meaningful resistance through Christian traditions, emphasizing human worth, embodiment, relationality, and time, along with practical experiments for change.
The Sacred Search
Perfect for those dating
Book Description
You will be encouraged to think beyond finding your “soul mate” and instead adopt a more biblical search for a “sole mate”—someone who will walk with you on your spiritual journey.
Thomas asks, What if we focused on why we should get married more than on who to marry? What if being “in love” isn’t a good enough reason to get married? And most of all, what if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?
Thomas asks, What if we focused on why we should get married more than on who to marry? What if being “in love” isn’t a good enough reason to get married? And most of all, what if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?
The Intentional Father
For Fathers
Book Description
Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It's no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves.
The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family.
It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.
The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family.
It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
Reaching the LGBTQ Community
Book Description
Rosaria, by the standards of many, was living a very good life. She had a tenured position at a large university in a field for which she cared deeply. She owned two homes with her partner, in which they provided hospitality to students and activists that were looking to make a difference in the world. In the community, Rosaria was involved in volunteer work. At the university, she was a respected advisor of students and her department's curriculum.
Then, in her late 30's, Rosaria encountered something that turned her world upside down--the idea that Christianity, a religion she had regarded as problematic and sometimes downright damaging, might be right about who God was. That idea seemed to fly in the face of the people and causes that she most loved. What follows is a story of what she describes as a train wreck at the hand of the supernatural. These are her secret thoughts about those events, written as only a reflective English professor could.
Then, in her late 30's, Rosaria encountered something that turned her world upside down--the idea that Christianity, a religion she had regarded as problematic and sometimes downright damaging, might be right about who God was. That idea seemed to fly in the face of the people and causes that she most loved. What follows is a story of what she describes as a train wreck at the hand of the supernatural. These are her secret thoughts about those events, written as only a reflective English professor could.