A BRIEF DESCRIPTION FROM TOM
Here's a novel idea from Jesus himself: "They will know you are my disciples when you love one another." In this country of mega-churches, dying denominations, 34,000 different denominations and competing world-views, not to mention our materialism, choices, greed and living so easily compared to the majority of the world, how is it possible to "love one another"?
And if a group of people who have been changed radically by their belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, want others to hear it and see it in action how do we keep from getting bogged down in our nice groups of like-minded folks and in our nice, neat buildings? How do we authentically and persistently show the same love to people who are not believers? Most churches want us to do things IN the building and WITH other believers. How does The Journey fulfill the mandate to give our lives away, to go into all the world and to live our lives telling the gospel?
The Journey has found a simple truth: for all age groups, the most lasting growth, discipleship and deep, loving relationships happens in small groups. The Journey calls them "CELL GROUPS." When people are freed to live in this simple context, then outreach, what The Journey calls, "SETTING THE TABLE ON THE OUTSIDE," happens authentically and naturally.
Therefore, we have three simple purposes.
1. Proclaim "JESUS IS LORD!"
2. Form new CELL GROUPS
3. SET THE TABLE ON THE OUTSIDE.
We have to give you the truth up front. It's simple. We won't control your life. We believe in the power of grace and God's word to do it's work. We expect people to know the gospel and live it, but we show grace knowing how imperfect we all are, too. It's not easy being an authentic Christian.
How does a person get involved in this journey? The traditional way is to come on Sunday morning, check "us" out and then join a cell group. However, we have many people in cell groups who do not go to Sunday morning at The Journey. We want you to grow in Christ! Many people become part of The Journey community by meeting with others in a CELL GROUP.
Show grace. Preach grace. Outdo each other in grace gifts. Limit programming. Cell Groups (Small Group Bible Studies) meet weekly in homes, restaurants or The Journey and are "The Church" in action. (Acts 2:46)
On Sunday mornings, we celebrate the love of God in Jesus Christ together. We wear casual clothes, have a great band, clap, raise our hands. We celebrate communion weekly (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16) to remember the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8, 9). Our kid’s program (Interactive WoW!) goes through 8th grade. We have a well-equipped nursery.