Frequently Asked Questions
Why start a new church?
This question is commonly asked. We believe there are several good reasons to get involved in planting a new work. The most obvious is that there are still so many who don't know Christ. While we thank God for those churches that are established and earnestly reaching out to the lost, the number of people who don't go to any church is staggering.
Statistics tell us that establishing new churches is one of the most effective ways to reach unchurched people. Sometimes, the stretching of faith required to start a new church breeds enthusiasm and risks that overflow into effective evangelism. Also, beginning churches tend to be more open to newer, more effective methods and paradigms to reach an ever-changing society. While the gospel is timeless, our culture changes and new churches tend to have more freedom to embrace cultural shifts.
Finally, we believe it takes different kinds of churches to reach different kinds of people. There will never be a single church that effectively ministers to everyone. In fact, we feel so strongly that new churches are vital to the future strength of the Christianity in the United States that we are committed to planting new ones out of this work in the years to come.
Why go to church?
- It's a place where strong friendships are made. Christianity is all about healthy, satisfying relationships built on rock-solid principles of honesty, love, unselfishness and just being real. If you think about it, most of the Bible is devoted to helping us learn how to build great friendships with each other and grow in our relationship with God.
- It's a setting where the big questions are discussed. "Why do I exist?" "What happens when I die?" "Why is there so much suffering?" "Is there such a thing as truth?" "Where can I find a satisfying life?" So much of our lives are spent meeting deadlines, in front of the mirror, shopping and paying the bills. Most of us rarely take the time to consider the things that matter most.
- God's word thought provokingly raises the big issues and brings intelligent, time-tested, practical truth to bear on our souls' deepest quests. Point of Grace is a safe place to come and consider without the risk of being manipulated or pressured to sing and say things you don't really mean.
- It's a source of strength for life's struggles. If the church is working right, it's an amazing source of help to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed with the pressures and stresses of everyday life. God invites us to ask Him for help and wisdom and shows us how to bear each others' burdens.
- It's an opportunity to make your life count. Jesus taught that life's real meaning lies in serving others. There's something about doing good that makes us feel great. Our intent is to be the kind of place that fosters volunteerism that makes a difference in the contexts of teamwork and the smile of God.
- It's a place where grace can be found in Jesus Christ. What's your concept of Christianity? Is it stained glass, rituals and rules? You may be in for a surprise. At the heart of it all is God expressing His love and desire for you to know Him in a very personal way. Sounds too good to be true? You'll never know if you don't check it out.
How do I begin a relationship with God?
Today, there’s a lot of confusion regarding who God is and how to
relate to him. Many try to make God into something they want him to be,
picking and choosing certain characteristics that make them feel good while
discarding others aspects of his nature. Often, the result is a god who
loves and helps but has a very relative standard of morality (as in relative
to what’s convenient). According to the Bible, God is personal and
distinct. His love and compassion are breathtaking and his moral standards
are firm. Like a great human parent, both compassion and standards are
expressions of love. According to Jesus, if one wants to know God, they
must discover who he actually is rather than fabricate an image of their
own. In fact, one of the most important aspects of the resurrection (and
countless other miracles) was to reassure us that he can be known objectively
as well as personally.
If you’re ready to begin a relationship with God, the steps are simple
and profound:
- God’s standard is higher than you think...Know that God’s standard of morality is far higher than any human can achieve. He’s perfect in love, selflessness, and compassion. Humans on the other hand tend toward selfishness often expressed in the forms of greed, apathy, anger, lust, pride, etc. Romans 3:23 states that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard.
- God’s justice applies to everyone (including us!)...God will judge all humankind according to this high standard. Our world longs for justice. Right and wrong are written in our hearts and when we see or experience injustice, we get upset. The Bible clearly states that God is a God of justice. As humans, we tend to think our actions are justified and excusable while others are not. According to the Bible, we’ll all receive justice without excuses. Romans 6:23 states that the wages of sin is death.
- God’s grace and holiness are depicted in the cross...How does God demonstrate his love and justice in such a way that we see him for whom he really is? Through Christ. The Bible teaches that the cross is both a powerful picture of God’s holiness and God’s love. On the one hand, we see the judgment sinful people deserve for Christ was taking on the punishment for our sins. On the other hand, we see how much God loves us by giving his very self for our us. Romans 5:8 states that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: Christ died for us.
- God calls us to respond to him...For someone to receive God’s forgiveness and the new life he offers, one needs to “repent”. Repent means to say “I’m sorry” for the past and invite God to lead one’s life in the future. It’s not a big ceremony, ritual, or process one goes through to earn God’s love. Rather, it’s much deeper! It’s a sincere decision to give one’s life to God. It’s a high risk move that requires faith. Nothing less (no outward act or religious verbiage or class) will be accepted by God. Romans 10:9 says that it’s with your heart that you begin to trust God and with your words you invite him into your life.
- The resurrection proves his ability to change history—and us...Who wants to worship a god they’ve made up? If you think about it, it’s pretty foolish to make a god in your own image. The resurrection of Christ, witnessed by hundreds who later died for their testimony confirms his power is true, that he really is the creator, God himself. More than that, the resurrection is a demonstration of God’s ability to change us, our families, and our world if we’re willing and humble enough to receive it. Romans 6:4 states that it’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead that God gives for our strength, character, and growth.
If you would like to talk about these matters more, please contact us. More importantly, God himself is waiting to hear from you. His love for you is that great. In Luke 15, Jesus said that heaven celebrates when one person begins a relationship with God. Today could be your day.