Honestly, we are Christian, even if some might disagree
As a community we are particularly Christian, although not limited by our tradition. We believe that in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, God revealed God's self to humanity. Therefore, our worship and study is rooted in the teachings and sayings of Jesus, especially as found in the New Testament. But we aren't really concerned if you are a Christian or not. There is no litmus test.
As for the Bible... At Grace Community we believe the Bible is a living, breathing document handed down through generations. The Bible is meaningless unless we honestly engage with the text, questioning its meaning, challenging its assumptions, wrestling with its claim on us, and treasuring its beauty. At Grace this is what we strive to do each Sunday within community. Together, listening to our own hearts and the hearts of others as we read the text before us, God's word comes alive.
And Jesus... The Name Jesus means “God Saves.” The term Christ is a title for the “Anointed of God.” For Muslims and some Jews, Jesus was a prophet. Buddhists say he was enlightened. Hindu’s call him Avatar (the incarnation of a deity in human form), and Christians believe him to be the ‘Messiah,’ chosen by God to inaugurate a new kind of relationships between God and humankind. So who was he?
Jesus was an extraordinary healer. Nearly a quarter of the gospels describe his powers over sickness. He taught restraint and charity in the face of oppression. He was a radical social reformer and a charismatic preacher.
Jesus was executed at a young age as a common criminal. Christians, however, have always believed that in his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, something uniquely significant about God was revealed. At Grace, we believe that in following Jesus it is possible to come into a deeper relationship with God.
And Prayer... We encourage everyone to pray. Yet, we refuse to prescribe boundaries on prayer, knowing that some pray best in silence and others while commuting to work and even others by talking openly with God. We are aware that often the task of daily prayer seems overwhelming and even daunting, yet we believe strongly that when we pray, somehow the world shifts in powerful ways.