Our heart
Vision, mission & purpose
Vision: Hope for everyone!
Mission is what God has called us to do. It is the reason we exist. JOURNEY takes our mission seriously. We repeat it often and we explore creative methods in accomplishing our mission. JOURNEY believes the church is the local expression of the face of Jesus. The way the world sees God will be through Jesus Christ living in and through us. The core values are found both corporately and in the thoughtful living of each member of the JOURNEY Community. Our mission comes from a place in the Bible where love is being described. The writer (Paul) says, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13) Ultimately, we want our heart to break for the things that break God’s heart. Jesus consistently and passionately shared his love for the lost (Luke 15), and how he would do anything to save them. JOURNEY strives to be like Christ.
Mission of JOURNEY CHURCH: Lead people on a journey of transformation in Jesus.
The Bible speaks often of God’s love for His people. In fact the book of John tells us God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus tells us the two most important things we can do is to love God and love people (Mark 12:30-31). Thus, the way we accomplish our mission is to do just that. This is our purpose. Everyone has a purpose. It’s not complex or confusing. Jesus summarized the law and the prophets with two things that describe our purpose (Matthew 22:37-40).
Purpose of JOURNEY CHURCH: Love God and Love People.
Values bring clarity to the things that matter most. At JOURNEY Church we want to express our values in tangible ways. These values guide how we accomplish our mission, spend our money and influence our decision making. Values are important to identify. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34). JOURNEY has chosen to identify four initial values we strive to nurture.
Our heart
Relentlessly Real
It’s too easy to be fake, put on a face. We strive to be real, allowing God’s love to change us, while transparently admitting our humanness and weakness.There is beauty in transparency. God loves you as you are. However, God will never leave you the same. Our success at JOURNEY is measured by life change. We believe God loves you just as you are. However, he loves you too much to allow you to remain the same. A life that encounters Jesus Christ will discover a faith that produces hope because of love. We are motivated to change by grace not guilt. It’s all about Jesus. Jesus loves YOU. Unfortunately many people have unjustly called themselves Christians. We believe the Bible says that we become "new creations" when we JOURNEY with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is because Jesus forgives us, sets us free, and allows us to have: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. A new person is better than a nice person. A new person happens because of faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ.
Our heart
Community Creators
Committed to doing life together & loving together. Everyone is priceless and irreplaceable.We are better together. Continually creatively striving to be a community that changes Bend. Do what you do so well that people want to come back and bring their friends. – Walt Disney. We want JOURNEY to be that kind of environment, both on Sundays and throughout the week. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Behind everything we do is the conviction that lost people matter to God. We will go where people are not willing to go to reach people that other people are not willing to reach.
The radically unchurched. What if the people furthest from God in Bend met Jesus?
Children and Teenagers.
Men. Most churches attract more women and children.
Our heart
Grace Givers
Experiencing God’s grace overwhelms us to share it with others. Grace reminds us that it’s never too late with God and it’s never too early. The Bible teaches us that Jesus embodied grace (John 1:17). Grace is best experienced in action. Therefore our actions will speak louder than our words. Jesus said of himself, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus was describing his own life - a life of service, one that demonstrated true love. We believe faith, hope and love are best demonstrated when lived out (serving others). There are a number of initiatives and ways that JOURNEY is giving grace. This happens both corporately and privately.
Our heart
Guerilla Lovers
Adopting a metaphor of war may not be the best thing for a value... but, we did it! Guerilla love is surprising people with love when they least expect it (or deserve it). It’s understanding that you don’t need to have all the resources in the world to change the world (1 John). It’s living out the ways of Jesus in tangible ways. Like a little seed that grows into a huge tree (Jesus shared that one - Matthew 17:20)! We believe Guerilla love is manifested in every area of life. We love because God first loved us. (1John 4:19)
Our faith
Our view of God
There is one God. God rejects polytheism (belief in many Gods) and demands devotion. “I am the LORD and there is no other, besides me..” (Isaiah 45:5, 40:18, 46:9, Deuteronomy 4:35, 39, 1 Kings 8:60) Throughout Scripture God is revealed in three persons (the Trinity). God the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit/Ghost (Matthew 28:19).
1.Father is not Son
2.Son is not Holy Spirit
3.Holy Spirit is not Father There is ONE God (in three persons).
God is perfect and has a purpose and a plan for people. Human kind is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Human kind disobeyed God and caused a separation between man and God (Romans 3:23).
Religion is not the answer to reach God (religion is man trying to reach God). God’s plan is a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:9-9, Acts 4:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is the only way to be saved (John 14:6) and a person must confess sins (1 John 4:9), believe/have faith (Romans 10:9), and obey (John 14:21) to be a Christian.
Our faith
Our view of the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word and the source of truth we live by (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is to be studied, examined, and practiced (Acts 17:11). The Bible is God’s Word to all people (Psalm 119). The Bible is inerrant and offers all counsel regarding knowing God and living rightly with Him (James 1:17, Luke 21:33, John 1:1, Psalm 119).
Our faith
Our view of eternity
Eternity is real and humanity was created to exist forever. He/she will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation (Romans 6:23). To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally with God is Heaven (John 3:16). Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence (Revelation 20:15).
Our faith
What is a Christian?
A Christian is NOT just:
1.Someone that grew up in a Christian home.
2.A good person.
3.A church member.
4.A person that reads the Bible.
These may be good things, but those things do not necessarily make a person a Christian. According to the Bible, a Christian is a person who has chosen to follow Jesus and accept His death on the Cross as their bridge to God.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus Himself is the solution to the divine paradox. In Jesus, God’s grace and God’s justice meet.
2 Corinthians 5:19 says, “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” God, out of grace, offers us eternal life, which we can only receive by faith.
Faith is not merely the acceptance or acknowledgment of facts about Jesus. Think about this verse: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19)
Faith begins with belief and moves immediately to trust, which is relying totally on Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
So, the question to be asked is: Do you trust Jesus? Will you follow Him? Will you turn from sin, accept his grace, and live your life for Jesus? It’s not enough to be good, to attend church or believe in God. Those things are good, but they are not the most important things. When it comes down to it, Christianity is about following Jesus and committing your life to Him. If you’ve never decided to follow Jesus, you can make that choice right now. You can pray to Jesus and He will hear that prayer.
Baptism
What is baptism?
Baptism is an external picture of an internal change. It is a symbol of something that has already happened.
Baptism
Why be baptized?
1.It identifies me with Christ in His death and resurrection.
"... having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)
2.It illustrates my new life as a Christian. Being baptized in front of people is an amazing way to illustrate your new life in Christ. You are letting everyone know about your decision to follow Him.
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
3.It demonstrates my obedience to Christ. John 14:15 says “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Remember, baptism does not wash away your sin. Only Jesus can do that! It does not make you believe - it demonstrates that you already believe in Christ.
Baptism
How should I get baptized?
At JOURNEY CHURCH, we baptize people by immersion, that is, placing them under the water. Why do we do it this way?
1.Jesus was baptized by immersion. "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water. . .” (Matthew 3:16)
2.The New Testament believers were baptized by immersion. "...Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." (Acts 8:38-39). In fact, every time someone was baptized in the New Testament, it was by immersion.
The New Testament was originally written in Greek and later translated into English. The Greek word "baptizo" means to immerse under water. So when the writers used the word “baptize,” they were literally talking about placing people under the water.
Baptism
When do I get baptized?
Every person should be baptized after they have believed in Christ.“Those who believe were baptized that day.” (Acts 2:41) Just like it wouldn’t mean much to wear a wedding ring before you are officially married, being baptized before you begin your JOURNEY with Jesus loses the meaning.
Baptism
What about children?
Some churches practice a "Baptism of Confirmation" for children by sprinkling them.This covenant between the parents and God to raise their children in the faith began as a custom some three hundred years after the Bible was completed.While the Bible certainly does not forbid this practice, we don’t think it has the same meaning as being baptized after you have decided to follow Jesus. Several times throughout the year, we will dedicate children to God. As a church, we partner with parents to raise their children in a way that honors God. We want to stand with parents to dedicate their children to God, pray for them throughout their lives, and see them come to the place where they decide to follow Jesus for themselves.
Communion
What is communion?
Communion represents a tremendous truth for believers of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave the ultimate example and reason for his death. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gave clear instructions.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
1.It is simple. “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,” 1 Cor. 11:23
2.It is a reminder. “and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”” 1 Cor. 11:24
3.It is sacred. “ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”” 1 Cor. 11:25
4.It is a statement of faith. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Cor. 11:26
Who should take communion? Those who are believers. Mark 14:22-26
When and how often? The Bible is not specific on when the church or individuals should partake in communion. JOURNEY does it sporadically (usually once or more a month).
Our church
What is the church?
The church wasn’t invented by a person, a group of people, a committee, a country or a denomination. It was God’s idea. God started the church, and He promised that it would last forever. Jesus chose the church as His vehicle to spread the good news. And Jesus said He would build His church.
The first apostles didn’t just like the idea of church, they went around from city to city starting actual churches. John Stott, a great theologian says,“if the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and the Gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives.” Consider these word pictures from the Bible about the church:
1.A family. "... So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19)
"...Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8)
2.A bride. Jesus loves His church like a husband should love His bride. In fact, in Ephesians 5:25-32, Paul teaches husbands using this analogy. The universal church is the bride of Christ.
3.A body. I Peter 2:5 says that the church is more than a building; it is composed of “living stones.” Jesus is the head of the body, and we all play an important role.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Our church
Journey: Elder Team
Biblical leadership is very important to JOURNEY. The Bible is clear on what the character of a leader looks like (1 Timothy 3:1-7,Titus 1:5-9, I Peter 5:1-4). JOURNEY is led by a group of men called Elders. This is not just a term JOURNEY uses for leaders but a biblical term for men that lead, protect, and disciple the church. These are some of the characteristics that the Bible describes for elders that we at JOURNEY look for:
An Elder is NOT:
1.The oldest grouchiest men in the church (the grey hairs).
2.Like your boss at work, or other positions of authority.
3.Only paid Pastors
4.Someone on the top of a mountain giving wise answers to weary travelers
An Elder IS:
1.A mature Christian- Someone who has grown in his faith for many years.
2.A man - It is specific in the Bible that the role of elder is to be fulfilled by a man.
3.A good man by anyone’s standards - They must be above reproach, temperate, self controlled, without addictions, financially content, respectable, hospitable, not violent, gentle, not contentious, good reputation, and humble.
4.Able to teach - They need to know scripture well enough to teach it.
Our church
Our team
Our team requires commitment, contribution, and even mutual submission. As a church, the team is composed of many members and yet is one (Romans 12:4-5 and Ephesians 4:16). We have paid pastors (shepherds), directors and staff; but, more importantly we have superheroes (volunteers). The church is also diverse and composed of different people (1 Corinthians 12:14 and Ephesians 4:11-16). At JOURNEY, we desire a team. Each person is a minister with different roles. We are truly better together.
From Journey Church’s Statement of Faith. Original wording and Scripture references retained.
