How are we different from every other church out there?

The Grace Place is different. How?

o.o1 Our Message

The foundation of TGP is the pure Gospel of God's Grace through Jesus Christ. This alone, makes our church very different from other churches of all sizes and styles.

What is the pure Gospel of God's Grace, how is this different? Read further...

Many Christians and Christian churches love the concept of God’s Grace, but up to a point. As long as it’s mixed with what they would say is a “balancing” bit of Law (religious rules you obey) they are more than willing to cozy up to “Grace.” So, what has happened is that when it comes to salvation and the Christian life, “Grace” is seen as a kind of partner or side-kick within the Gospel. It’s seen as the softer aspect of God that tips our hat to His loving side. Conversely, the Law is seen as what makes sure people clean up their acts, do religious things, hunger for more “to do steps and strategies” and take sin seriously. That’s why when you present God’s Grace in its purity (without the Law), typically, all bets are off as some Christians and churches become afraid of what they would call, “too much Grace.”

Yet, the Gospel is either all Grace or it’s all Law, there can be no mixture (balance) of a little bit of Grace and a little bit of Law. In fact, the Bible makes dramatic separations and distinctions between the two. A couple, among many examples…

Romans 6:14 …because you are not under the law, but under grace.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

The pure Gospel of God’s Grace (a term Paul used in Acts 20:24) has always brought a stirring of criticism among the religiously spirited. I should know, I was one of them. Thankfully, God captured my heart and changed my mind about who He is, who I am, and the Gospel of His Grace.

I suspect there are many Christians who don’t even realize how much of what they have been taught and believe is contrary to the Gospel. I certainly didn’t. Like many unknowing Christians and spiritual leaders, my heart was in the right place, but my beliefs were not. As a pastor of 18 years, I did not realize (until a couple years ago) how much of my teaching, preaching and counsel actually placed people in bondage instead of the freedom I (and God) desired for them. When it came to the Gospel, I was so close, yet so far away.

So, what is the pure Gospel of Grace? In simple terms it is this…

The Gospel

We are all born sinners in a broken world. Everything about our lives has en expiration date on a pathway to death. In the Garden of Eden, our lives were forever changed as our first parents chose selfishness and distrust over faith in God. Sin and death became realities and it’s shrapnel has penetrated everything, breaking our fellowship with God. What God intended for our lives and living was poisoned through and through.Without an act of pure Grace, all of humanity in its sinful brokeness was destined for death, spiritually, emotionally, and physically as our best efforts could never repair our broken relationship with God and the depraved nature of our lives and living begun at the fall of Adam and Eve.

Yet, despite all of this. God is love, and God loves you perfectly, completely, and unconditionally, no matter who you are or what you have done or are doing. So much that He sent His son Jesus, fully God and fully man to die for your sins, and all of humanity. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the brokeness of all creation, including you. In His death and resurrection, Jesus put your sins to death and gave you His life. A new covenant was put into place where Jesus’ performance on the cross becomes your righteousness, holiness, and salvation. It is no longer about performing to get to God (as it was in the Old Testament), but God’s performance on the cross to get to you. His life becomes your life. His identity becomes your identity. The redemptive work in your life was completed, completely. You became a new person in Christ, a new creation in fact. Your sins, past, present, and future were all forgiven once and for all. It is no longer your nature to sin (though we still do), your old nature was crucified with Jesus on the cross. Sin no longer defines you, Jesus defines you. You old self died, you new self was reborn. You have the mind of Christ. You are a partaker of the divine nature, lacking no spiritual blessing. You are in fact, the righteousness of Christ, with no condemnation over your life whatsoever. You are not only a son (or daughter), but a king and priest in the Kingdom of God. As He is (seated at the right hand of God) so are you in this world. God’s favor and Grace are forever over your life.

All of this, Jesus provided and accomplished on the cross on your behalf, and that of the whole world. The moment you believe in who Jesus is and what He did, you receive it all. Done deal. We are saved by Grace through faith.

Now, it is no longer you who lives, but Christ living in you, and as you. The same Grace that saved you is the same Grace that sustains and sanctifies you. The Christian life is about growing into who you already are in Christ. Your part is to realize you have no part, only to believe. That’s why this growth happens through faith, not your efforts. You cannot produce spiritual fruit in your life, only bear the fruit God produces. It’s no about striving and trying to be a better person, it’s rather about believing you already are a better person and living from that identity. It’s not about shame, guilt, punishment and religious rule keeping as you live a life focused on sin and your obedience. That system of living was canceled on the cross, at the moment of His resurrection, a new system was ushered in by Jesus Himself. It’s a life of complete and ever present forgiveness, freedom, peace, and rest as you focus on Jesus and His mercy, favor, and performance in your life, not yours. It’s an obedience of faith, not of actions. It’s a life of living from His Grace, in His Grace, to be Grace to others. To the world, the job of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of its unbelief, but for the believer, the job of the Holy Spirit is to convince them of their righteousness in Christ. Right believing leads to right living. An obedience problem is always first and identity problem.

This is the Gospel, and this is our message.

So What’s The Beef?

Sounds wonderful doesn’t it? Yet, what sounds like true love, freedom, and life, to the religious sounds like heresy! The Gospel can’t be that good. Give people Grace and they will just sin more. Besides, how are we going to be able to manage people? You are going too soft on sin, and what about repentance! Repentance, repentance, repentance! If we don’t give people something to work on, strive for, and do, how can we keep them coming and interested in church? God does His part, but we have to do our part, or else!

This is why the message of the Gospel of Grace is so important and foundational to TGP!

o.o2 Our Style

Many churches are either blended or traditional in style. TGP will be a fully contemporary/modern styled church in music, branding, and architecture. In order to reach a contemporary world, we envision manifesting an exclusively contemporary style throughout every aspect of our ministry, doing so with excellence and creativity.

o.o3 Our Focus

At the end of the day, many churches have an inward focus. Their main concern is meeting the needs and wants of those who are already there and honoring the traditions that have been created in the past.

However, our focus is reaching people who are far from God and/or caught up in the religious spirit prevailing in our world and Christian culture.

We are aggressive defenders against any religious spirit that limits God’s heart for people far from Him and our calling to reach them and make them a valued part of our church family. We will not cater to personal preferences as we are more concerned about the people we are called to reach than the people we hope to keep.

In truth, God is not far from anyone, but we have a special heart and focus for people who feel they are far from God or are pursuing any religious process of human performance to bridge the gap. We have a special focus to reach people with the Gospel of Grace, particularly those who do not believe in Jesus, are turned off by church, are in a religiously-spirited church, or struggling with sin, guilt, shame, and condemnation in their lives.

o.o4 Our Structure

Many churches are politically structured with a system that is geared towards maintaining status quo and giving power to position-minded people, often limiting the the authority and leverage of those who are called to lead.

However, we are united under and built on one vision, the vision God gave Pastor Chris. We will passionately defend and protect our unity and that vision. We will not offer "membership" to our church. All those who share our values, beliefs, and are committed to our ministry are considered partners in the ministry of TGP. The church will be governed by a board of pastors appointed by the pastor(s) and staff.

o.o5 Our Values

Because of our message of the Gospel of Grace and our focus on reaching those who are unchurched or dechurched, our values are diferent than your typical church. We value the following as a ministry...

A Believer's Identity in Christ- We are defined by the pure Grace of God that frees us completely from the curse of sin. We are no longer rule followers, enticed to sin by the Law and preoccupied with condemnation and its chains of guilt and shame. We are brand new in Christ with our true identity being no less than His righteousness. We lack nothing and by Him can do anything as we believe in His Grace working in and through our lives.

Spiritual Growth from Who we Already Are, Not Who we Aren't- Most discipleship in churches is based on the false idea that the Christian life is about becoming something you are not by doing better things and behaving better as a person. Yet, true obedience has always come from a foundation of Grace, not rules, steps, striving,and strategies. Furthermore, the Christian life is about growing into who you already are in Christ. It's about living by faith from the identity you are and have in Him as a new creation in Christ. The Christian life is not about living from lack, hunger, or brokenness, but living from the blessings, fulfillment, righteousness,holiness and wholeness you already are completely in Him. We abide in Him as our power to produce fruitfulness. It is no longer our core nature to live absent of victory. Right belief leads to right living as we speak to the identity to empower the behavior.

The Goodness and Kindness of God- We believe it is God's kindness that leads to changed minds, hearts, and behaviors. It is the Grace of God that teaches and empowers people to live rightly. The Grace of God is the foundation from which we live, teach, and understand the Bible through a New Covenant lense.

Freedom in Christ- We refuse to place a law/rule where there is no law/rule given by God. It is for freeedom Christ set us free, not to undulge the flesh, but to live free from condemnation, guilt, shame, and the religious-spirit so prevalent in our Christian culture. We are opposed to the same legalistic, judgemental spirit Jesus confronted.

Community and Honor Together- We are a community of honor. We will honor those above us, behind us, and below us as we see their God-given value, calling, and potential. Relationships matter and are the fabric of our life together as a church. We love because He first loved us.

Our Limits- We embrace our limits. We will be who we are and do what we can do only as far as excellence, authenticity, alignment, health, and effectiveness remain.

Creativity- We desire to present a worship and ministry experience that is graced with tremendous modern creativity and effectiveness in the spiritual application of the arts.

Faith that Risks- We are Grace revolutionaries with a passionate heart for those far from God. In order to penetrate our city with the Gospel, we will dream the incredible and pursue the impossible, stepping into the irrational promptings of God as though they were rational.

Generous Compassion- From a posture of blessing, gratitude, and rest, we will generously and extravagantly serve our community through collaborative means that partner with organizations that harmonize with the heart of TGP. For example, we desire to impact needs such as... adoption, special needs children, and others that are intrinsic to our community as God leads.

o.o3 Our Beliefs

We believe in one God, who exists in three Persons — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is loving, holy and just.

We believe that the Bible is God’s Word without error. It is inspired and true. It is our guide in all matters of life.

We believe that sin has separated us all from God, and that only through Jesus Christ can we be reconciled to God.

We believe that Jesus Christ is both God and Man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He led a sinless life, took all our sins upon Himself, died and rose again. Today, He is seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Mediator.

We believe that salvation is the gift of God to man. This gift is given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and it produces acts and actions pleasing to God.

We believe that water baptism is an outward act that demonstrates a believer’s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.We believe that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He guides us in all areas of our lives. He also blesses us with spiritual gifts and empowers us to yield the fruit of the Spirit.

We believe that Holy Communion is a celebration of Jesus’ death and our remembrance of Him.

We believe that God wants to transform, heal and bless us, so that we can live blessed and prevailing lives that will impact and help others.

We believe that we are called to preach the pure Gospel to all people and groups.

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again just as He promised.