Who We Are

Real Life Communities is a new church, planted in Lacey, WA on October 5th, 2014.

“This church is connected Missional Small Groups seeking and developing transformational relationship with Christ and people in our everyday lives”

• We are small group based … Missional Small Groups … A Church OF small groups rather than a church WITH small groups.

• We are convinced that a small group environment is the best place for deep relationships, connection and growth to occur.

• We see ourselves as "missionaries" living everyday life with Gospel Intentionality.

• We see evangelism be a function of living life in our normal, routine circles in such a way that they demand a Gospel explanation (1Pe.3:15 “Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.”)

• We focus on “doing church” primarily outside of the building - not inside it.

• Rather than inviting people to our building, to the programs that we think are important; we try to meet them where they are, looking for ways that God is at work in the community and joining His effort there.

• We are more about service than services.

• We gather corporately for worship, preaching, teaching and sacraments and to celebrate what God is doing in our groups and communities.

• But…most of the life of the church happens outside of the walls of our gathering.

 

Our Affiliation: The Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene is built upon five historical foundations:

• Classical Christianity: The religion of the New Testament and The Early Church.

• Protestantism:The Reformation doctrines, including the priesthood of all believers, the Bible as the rule of faith and practice, and salvation by grace alone through faith (not by good works).

• Arminian Thought: Jesus made atonement for all. By free grace each person can choose God and good. Our choice makes a difference; we are not irrevocably predestined either to salvation or damnation.

• Wesleyan Practical Theology: Adopting and adapting John Wesley’s system of doctrine and pastoral theology, Nazarenes continue to emphasize the Biblical teaching of living a holy life in this world and being set apart for God’s work.

• 1908: Pilot Point, TexasThe vision for bringing the Church of the Nazarene together was centered in a movement with many leaders: Phineas F. Bresee, C.B. Jernigan, H.F. Reynolds, J.B. Chapman, C.W. Ruth and others. They purposefully targeted the needs of the common people with the message of hope and holiness. A merger took place in 1908 of several holiness churches to share resources and more effectively present the gospel. Because Jesus was from Nazareth (thus a Nazarene) they took the name Nazarene as a great name denoting their being followers of Jesus Christ.

More information on the Church of the Nazarene can be found at: http://nazarene.org/

 

The Essentials We Believe:

About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. God raised Him from the dead after three days to demonstrate God’s power over sin and death. Jesus ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for godly living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift (i.e.– administration, leadership, helps, giving, etc.) to be used to help build up the church when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

1 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

About the Bible

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it contains all truth necessary to faith and how to live the Christian life.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Human Beings

People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

About Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin‘s penalty which is death. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved from the dominion of sin. New life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About Holy Living

The Christian life is received by faith and then lived out practically. For most all of us, the decision to let Christ be the Lord of our life is the beginning point of fleshing out a God pleasing life. This is a point in time when a believer surrenders all that they are and have to God. At that time of surrender and daily consecration, the Holy Spirit cleanses and empowers the believer to help them live the Christian life effectively. The Scripture calls this “holiness” or sanctification.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; John 17:17; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 5:26; Romans 12:1-2

About Eternity

People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

 

The complete articles of faith of the Church of the Nazarene can be viewed here:

Nazarene Articles of Faith