Sharing God’s Love with a Broken and Hurting World Loving Him,
Loving Others, Changing Lives
OUR FAITH STATEMENT (WHAT WE BELIEVE)
In essential beliefs we have unity.
Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of us all...”
We believe that God, in His grace and mercy, because of His love for us, redeemed sinful man to Himself through Jesus Christ. Jesus, by His death on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins and it is only through Him that we can receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. We come to know and understand God’s will for our lives through His inspired, inerrant Word, the Bible. We choose to use it as our standard of authority.
In non-essential beliefs we have liberty.
Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
Some disagreements will never be settled this side of heaven.!
Hebrews 12:1 “...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...”
In all our beliefs we practice love.
I Corinthians 13:2 “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”
Sometimes it’s simply best to celebrate differing ideas and viewpoints and love each other! And differences will come.
One thing we really value is healthy communication, where people can be who they really are, without the fear of gossip or rejection. We want to be a faith family where we talk directly to each other about differing ideas, concerns, or conflict, rather than complaining to others.
VISION
To be a relational church whose love for God is so transparent, whose people are so genuinely authentic, and whose hunger for life is so appealing that people are naturally drawn into relationship and community.
To be a sending church raising up men and women excited for God, enthusiastic for ministry, and devoted to going wherever He may lead, be it here in community, downtown, or to the farthest reaches of the earth.
To be a restoring church where masks can be dropped, people can be real, where healing and wholeness can be found. Transparency, accountability, and vulnerability are valued.
To be a devoted church whose people have been touched by God’s purposes and can do nothing less than serve with joyful attitudes, give with sacrificial hearts, and share the Good News as folks thankful for what God has done in and for them.
To be a heart transforming church where worship of God is not a service but an experience, and His message more than spoken, but visualized through creative, technological, and artistic expression.
CORE VALUES
Authentic Relationships
Be Real.
The Christian life is about Intimacy with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and grace-filled, transparent honesty with one another. We will create a climate of safety so that people feel secure physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Christian life is about Intimacy with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and grace-filled, transparent honesty with one another. We will create a climate of safety so that people feel secure physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Biblically Accurate and Culturally Relevant (Sharing the word so it can be heard)
Keep it Legit.
The unchanging message is communicated in understandable, creative, and compelling ways to engage our culture and build believers. We protect the health and unity of our faith family by balancing our purposes and biblical teachings.
The unchanging message is communicated in understandable, creative, and compelling ways to engage our culture and build believers. We protect the health and unity of our faith family by balancing our purposes and biblical teachings.
Culture of Acceptance and Growth
Be Safe.
All people are accepted as is because that’s the way God accepts us. We’ll cooperate with God to create a culture of acceptance where God’s grace can take root and change hearts. Acceptance and Growth happens in both corporate services and small groups. Life change, spiritual growth, and pastoral care happens best in the context of intimate relationships.
All people are accepted as is because that’s the way God accepts us. We’ll cooperate with God to create a culture of acceptance where God’s grace can take root and change hearts. Acceptance and Growth happens in both corporate services and small groups. Life change, spiritual growth, and pastoral care happens best in the context of intimate relationships.
Empowerment
Keep Moving.
Every Christ follower has purpose and unique gifts to serve God. We will purposefully go to all people in every place in order to share this message: “God deeply loves you, accepts you ‘As Is’, and can/will change your life.”
Every Christ follower has purpose and unique gifts to serve God. We will purposefully go to all people in every place in order to share this message: “God deeply loves you, accepts you ‘As Is’, and can/will change your life.”
THE 5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FAMILY MEMBER
CONNECT | GROW | SERVE | SHARE | GIVE
CONNECT | I CAN’T DO LIFE ALONE
First thing is: Commit to being at our Faith Family Gatherings (Sunday Morning Service)
The Faith Family Gatherings are a great place for people to experience AS IS Church. This is time set aside each week where the whole faith family comes together to worship God and engage in an environment where a growing and intimate relationship with Him is the primary concern.
Loving God and being loved by Him is at the core of who we are. Worship involves participating in our Faith Family Gatherings, but it is more than “going to church,” it involves your personal worship too. We believe that our whole life is to be lived to please Him and is an act of worship. Jesus said the first and greatest commandment was to . . .
Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
In terms of what we’re about: Our Faith Family Gatherings are designed for the un-churched and the seasoned saint, the houseless individual, and the corporate executive. They are designed with everyone in mind. Really, everyone is searching for God in some respect. We all want answers to the complexities of life. The truth is- the truth will feed everyone. Any given gathering will be weighted in one direction or another, but they all have meaning for everyone.
Things to expect at AS IS Church Faith Family Gatherings
A Safe environment
Physical safety - Screening and security checks
Spiritual safety – a safe place to bring your friends and family who haven’t yet come to Christ.
Emotional safety – people have all kinds of preconceived ideas about church. Some are literally afraid to walk into a church. So we try to remove all the barriers we can, so that they immediately sense this is a safe place. People come with two questions lurking in the back of their mind when they come in here:
Physical safety - Screening and security checks
Spiritual safety – a safe place to bring your friends and family who haven’t yet come to Christ.
Emotional safety – people have all kinds of preconceived ideas about church. Some are literally afraid to walk into a church. So we try to remove all the barriers we can, so that they immediately sense this is a safe place. People come with two questions lurking in the back of their mind when they come in here:
“Are these people real?” and “Do they really care about me?”
All people are welcome (no perfect people allowed, come as you are).
Offering is for our regulars.
All people are welcome (no perfect people allowed, come as you are).
Offering is for our regulars.
Our goal is to make AS IS Church a non-threatening place for insiders to bring outsiders.
A Friendly environment
We want people to notice something different about us (how we love one another): from the street to the seat.
We want people treated the same way we would treat them as guests in our home.
Our first impression goal is to welcome everyone entering the doors of our facility.
We want people to notice something different about us (how we love one another): from the street to the seat.
We want people treated the same way we would treat them as guests in our home.
Our first impression goal is to welcome everyone entering the doors of our facility.
A Casual environment
Come as you are
Not a fashion show
Dress as up or down as you want
Come as you are
Not a fashion show
Dress as up or down as you want
A Creative environment
We use a lot of creative elements to communicate the greatest message in the world (lighting, sets, videos, image magnification, the program itself).
God invented creativity; Jesus modeled it; the Holy Spirit empowers it; and the people need it.
Communication is really about engaging the mind and the heart, so it is important to appeal to a variety of learning styles.
We use a lot of creative elements to communicate the greatest message in the world (lighting, sets, videos, image magnification, the program itself).
God invented creativity; Jesus modeled it; the Holy Spirit empowers it; and the people need it.
Communication is really about engaging the mind and the heart, so it is important to appeal to a variety of learning styles.
A Culturally Relevant environment
We attempt to communicate the unchanging message of God’s word in culturally relevant ways.
A Changing environment
We believe in keeping things fresh and engaging. We’re on a journey - we haven’t arrived at a destination.
We attempt to communicate the unchanging message of God’s word in culturally relevant ways.
A Changing environment
We believe in keeping things fresh and engaging. We’re on a journey - we haven’t arrived at a destination.
A Life-changing environment
The goal of our teaching is life change. We’ll teach for life transformation not just Bible information. 72% of Jesus’ words were words of application.
We want people to walk out committed to and moving toward change.
We want people saying, “Wow! I get it! I need to make changes in my life.”
Why the creativity? Listen to this: studies by educational researchers suggest that approximately 83% of learning happens visually, and the remaining 17% through the other senses. Hearing (11%) – Smell (3.5%) – Touch (1.5%) – Taste (1%)
The goal of our teaching is life change. We’ll teach for life transformation not just Bible information. 72% of Jesus’ words were words of application.
We want people to walk out committed to and moving toward change.
We want people saying, “Wow! I get it! I need to make changes in my life.”
Why the creativity? Listen to this: studies by educational researchers suggest that approximately 83% of learning happens visually, and the remaining 17% through the other senses. Hearing (11%) – Smell (3.5%) – Touch (1.5%) – Taste (1%)
Three days after an event, people retain 10% of what they have heard from oral presentation, 35% from visual presentation and 65% from visual and oral presentation.
We use study notes – printed scripture – with the unconvinced, un-churched person in mind who probably doesn’t own a Bible and even if they did, they couldn’t find what we are talking about. So printed scripture allows others to read with us and bring clarity and variety to the teaching and learning experience.
We use study notes – printed scripture – with the unconvinced, un-churched person in mind who probably doesn’t own a Bible and even if they did, they couldn’t find what we are talking about. So printed scripture allows others to read with us and bring clarity and variety to the teaching and learning experience.
GROW | GROWING PEOPLE CHANGE
We want you to grow to be more like Christ. God is not into stagnation. The life of a Christian is all about healing, learning, and growing.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
“To the full means” to “bring something to full realization”
We want to help you grow in your relationship with Christ.
We want to help you grow in your relationship with Christ.
Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
One touch from God and you’ll never be the same.
God desires to heal, restore, and bless your life. We expect very family member to get involved in our Spiritual Mentorship process.
We have to answer two questions: What is Spiritual Mentorship and how does it happen?
What is Spiritual Mentorship? Helping each other follow Jesus as a healthy family in every area of life. It is the formal and informal process of a person learning to live and act like Jesus.
How does Spiritual Mentorship happen? It happens when a person is put in a situation where they can see, and participate with, another or others following Jesus. This happens organically (people working out together, sharing a meal, serving in ministry together) or non-organically (1-on-1, Classes, Groups).
God desires to heal, restore, and bless your life. We expect very family member to get involved in our Spiritual Mentorship process.
We have to answer two questions: What is Spiritual Mentorship and how does it happen?
What is Spiritual Mentorship? Helping each other follow Jesus as a healthy family in every area of life. It is the formal and informal process of a person learning to live and act like Jesus.
How does Spiritual Mentorship happen? It happens when a person is put in a situation where they can see, and participate with, another or others following Jesus. This happens organically (people working out together, sharing a meal, serving in ministry together) or non-organically (1-on-1, Classes, Groups).
Formal Process of Spiritual Mentorship for Adults
Expectations:
1. Family Orientation Class (Ownership Class)
2. Next (Group) Spiritual Mentorship (12 weeks)
3. Exchange 1 - ON -1 Spiritual Mentorship (1 Year)
1. Family Orientation Class (Ownership Class)
2. Next (Group) Spiritual Mentorship (12 weeks)
3. Exchange 1 - ON -1 Spiritual Mentorship (1 Year)
Electives:
• Genesis Process • Connecting with Jesus • Grief Share • Bible Studies • Teacher Training • Leadership Lessons
• Marriage Matters • Money Matters • Small Groups
• Genesis Process • Connecting with Jesus • Grief Share • Bible Studies • Teacher Training • Leadership Lessons
• Marriage Matters • Money Matters • Small Groups
- Family Ministries
We desire to support, empower, and encourage families in our church and in our communities. The As IS
Family Life team desires to be a resource to families, in any fashion that we are able. We want to support
families and empower families; we also desire to encourage family’s every step of the way as they grow
in health and wholeness from the littlest member up.
Living out the motto, “Everyone has a name, everyone has a story, and everyone matters to God… and
since they matter to God they matter to us,” entails that every young person in our church family—from
cradle to college—experience their personal value. And every parent or caretaker experiences the loving
support of a warm faith family. We will work toward these goals through our 3 ministry focus areas. - KIDZ WORLD (NURSERY) (PRE K/KINDER) (1 st -5 th Grade)
AXIS Youth (Middle School) (High School)
UNDERGROUND PDX Youth mentoring and fitness
Family Care (Parent or Guardians)(Young Adults)
In all this we strive to help family’s experience a warm, inviting, and love filled community that will provide them with the support, encouragement, and empowerment that is necessary for any family to thrive and be all that God created it to be.
We plan to do this by being a resource for teaching children their worth, value, and God’s love for them expressed through Jesus Christ.
We plan to do this by giving every young person an opportunity to learn about and experience the person of Jesus each time they enter our doors or gather with us in the community.
We plan to do this by providing opportunities for families to gather through organized events and activities.
We plan to do this by partnering with other organizations within our communities in order to provide wrap around support for families in our communities.
We plan to do this by providing or connecting parents and care takers with resources they need in
order to be successful in their vital role in raising-up the next generation.
We plan to do this by giving every young person an opportunity to learn about and experience the person of Jesus each time they enter our doors or gather with us in the community.
We plan to do this by providing opportunities for families to gather through organized events and activities.
We plan to do this by partnering with other organizations within our communities in order to provide wrap around support for families in our communities.
We plan to do this by providing or connecting parents and care takers with resources they need in
order to be successful in their vital role in raising-up the next generation.
Jesus said the second greatest commandment was to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mark 12:31 “. . . Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Learning to love others runs counter to our self-centered culture, but it is relationships, not achievements or acquisition of things, that matters most in life.
Loving others is all about Serving and Sharing.
The next two things we want to see happen in your life if you choose to become a part of our faith family are to . . .
Serve in a Ministry
Share your Story with those beyond the church
We express our love for others when we serve them and share our story about Christ with them. We love people with our hands and with our words.
Loving others is all about Serving and Sharing.
The next two things we want to see happen in your life if you choose to become a part of our faith family are to . . .
Serve in a Ministry
Share your Story with those beyond the church
We express our love for others when we serve them and share our story about Christ with them. We love people with our hands and with our words.
SERVE | SAVED PEOPLE SERVE PEOPLE
About serving in a ministry at AS IS Church
We are a Volunteer Driven church.
We will not be able to share God’s love with a broken and hurting world without servant leaders and
sacrificial volunteers.
We believe serving should be a Blessing not a Burden
We believe every person should be involved in a ministry that compliments who God made them to be.
When you do you will discover serving to be fulfilling and fruitful. We want to see you growing in your
giftedness and passion.
We say that if we can get the right people in the right places for the right reasons we get the right results.
We are a Volunteer Driven church.
We will not be able to share God’s love with a broken and hurting world without servant leaders and
sacrificial volunteers.
We believe serving should be a Blessing not a Burden
We believe every person should be involved in a ministry that compliments who God made them to be.
When you do you will discover serving to be fulfilling and fruitful. We want to see you growing in your
giftedness and passion.
We say that if we can get the right people in the right places for the right reasons we get the right results.
Ministries to Get Involved In
- Family Ministries – Serve kids, youth, young adults: KidsWorld, AXIS, Underground PDX Youth Fitness, Basketball, Mentoring, Family Night, Outreach Events, Camps, Activities
- First Impressions – Help with hospitality team, ushers, greeters, security, weekend services, kitchen, breakfast, meals, facilities
- Worship and Tech – Worship team, vocalists, instrumentalists, sound, tech, creative arts, video, social media
- Creative Arts – Media, video, online presence, web, graphic design, podcast
- Prayer – Prayer team and events
- Spiritual Mentorship - Teaching, leading, facilitating Groups, coaching, 1-1, admin
- Recovery – Help lead recovery groups and meetings.
- Sports and Fitness – Help lead classes, groups, sports activities, and mentorship.
- Outreach – Adopt-The-Rock, Hope Center Homes, Global Missions Team, Love Shack Laundry
- Teaching and Preaching – Opportunities to develop your gifts and talents as teachers/preachers
- Fundraising and Grants – Become part of our fundraising and grant writing team
- Business and Community Partnerships – Build connections and commitment in the business community
SHARE | MY STORY FOR HIS GLORY
About sharing your story with others beyond the church
First, we don’t want you so busy with church “stuff” that you don’t have time to spend time with others. We want you to have a balanced life.
Our target is to reach those who do not yet know Christ, those who have given up on church, and those who are broken, addicted, and oppressed.
We are not interested in reaching people from other churches. Our target is not the “already convinced.”
Now some people may join us from other churches and they are welcome. We believe God will bring other believers to join hands with us to reach those who haven’t come to faith, given up on church, or need love, support, and accountability.
Remember, the way we do church will be very important. We are committed to the lost and hurting and a lot of what we do is done with the “unconvinced” in mind, not the convinced.
This does make an impact on the kind of music we’ll play, how loud we play it, how we dress, and how we interact with people.
We are not looking for people who are disgruntled with another church somewhere and who think they can join us and get their way.
Our strategy is simply to invest in the lives of people and invite them into relationship. This includes church, small groups, and life activities.
First, we don’t want you so busy with church “stuff” that you don’t have time to spend time with others. We want you to have a balanced life.
Our target is to reach those who do not yet know Christ, those who have given up on church, and those who are broken, addicted, and oppressed.
We are not interested in reaching people from other churches. Our target is not the “already convinced.”
Now some people may join us from other churches and they are welcome. We believe God will bring other believers to join hands with us to reach those who haven’t come to faith, given up on church, or need love, support, and accountability.
Remember, the way we do church will be very important. We are committed to the lost and hurting and a lot of what we do is done with the “unconvinced” in mind, not the convinced.
This does make an impact on the kind of music we’ll play, how loud we play it, how we dress, and how we interact with people.
We are not looking for people who are disgruntled with another church somewhere and who think they can join us and get their way.
Our strategy is simply to invest in the lives of people and invite them into relationship. This includes church, small groups, and life activities.
WE LIKE TO SAY: FOUND PEOPLE FIND PEOPLE
A transforming life is a powerful form of evangelism. If your life is changing, you’ll be excited to share God’s message of hope with others.
This strategy has shaped how we’ll approach evangelism. A lot of us grew up in churches that taught evangelism classes, gave altar calls, handed out tracts, and sent members knocking on the doors of strangers.
Our approach is a “lifestyle approach” that works in concert with the way relationships naturally happen, and something that almost any Christ follower can do.
We believe that evangelism is every Christ follower’s responsibility. Every Christ follower should be making an investment in someone’s life, inviting them to come be part of an amazing faith family.
That’s why we say “invest” and invite. Some Christ followers can take a person only so far and find it difficult to explain heavier or more complicated issues. The “invite” allows a Christ follower to bring a friend into an environment where such issues can be addressed.
If God is changing your life, don’t keep it to yourself. Invest time in the lives of others, first by listening to their story. As trust develops take them to coffee, develop relationships with them, share your story, and invite them into your life.
Sharing your story involves not only personally going across the street to your neighbor but also joining with others from the church in community outreach efforts and going to places around the world.
No Perfect People allowed – come As You Are.
We want to remind ourselves that none of us are perfect and all people are welcome.
We are creating an environment of grace where people can come as they are.
All of us have room to grow and change to become more like Christ.
There are times we need to assess people’s spiritual trajectory to determine whether they need “grace” or “discipline.”
We are all about relationships, where people come along side of each other to grow together.
This strategy has shaped how we’ll approach evangelism. A lot of us grew up in churches that taught evangelism classes, gave altar calls, handed out tracts, and sent members knocking on the doors of strangers.
Our approach is a “lifestyle approach” that works in concert with the way relationships naturally happen, and something that almost any Christ follower can do.
We believe that evangelism is every Christ follower’s responsibility. Every Christ follower should be making an investment in someone’s life, inviting them to come be part of an amazing faith family.
That’s why we say “invest” and invite. Some Christ followers can take a person only so far and find it difficult to explain heavier or more complicated issues. The “invite” allows a Christ follower to bring a friend into an environment where such issues can be addressed.
If God is changing your life, don’t keep it to yourself. Invest time in the lives of others, first by listening to their story. As trust develops take them to coffee, develop relationships with them, share your story, and invite them into your life.
Sharing your story involves not only personally going across the street to your neighbor but also joining with others from the church in community outreach efforts and going to places around the world.
No Perfect People allowed – come As You Are.
We want to remind ourselves that none of us are perfect and all people are welcome.
We are creating an environment of grace where people can come as they are.
All of us have room to grow and change to become more like Christ.
There are times we need to assess people’s spiritual trajectory to determine whether they need “grace” or “discipline.”
We are all about relationships, where people come along side of each other to grow together.
A Few Events You Can Invite Others to:
• Band of Brothers Campouts • Circle of Sisters Campouts • Men’s Retreats • Women’s Retreats
•Man Night 2nd Tuesday of Month • Women's Dinner 3rd Thursday of the Month • Youth Campouts
• Fitness Camp and Comps
•Man Night 2nd Tuesday of Month • Women's Dinner 3rd Thursday of the Month • Youth Campouts
• Fitness Camp and Comps
GIVE | I CANNOT OUT-GIVE GOD
ABOUT OUR FINANCES
There are 3 primary ways we fund our multifaceted ministry:
1. Tithes and Offerings
- Our ministry is made possible by the faithful financial support of our owners.
- We are supported by the tithes and offerings of those who consider themselves part of the AS IS
- Faith Family (we take responsibility for our vision, mission, and impact in our community).
- We encourage our family members to give of their time, talent, and treasure.
- In this area of finances and giving God our tithes and offerings, this is the only place He tells us to test Him.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
- As a member of the AS IS Faith Family, we ask you to give God the first part of your income, the first 10% to support the ministry.
- 10-10-80 plan
- Give cheerfully, systematically, and generously. We offer online giving.
2. Grants and Partnerships
3. Donations and Financial Gifts
3. Donations and Financial Gifts
SUMMARY
At AS IS Church we have chosen to offer and recognize our faith family members for three reasons:
1. It offers us the opportunity to recognize those Christ followers who feel called to be part of AS IS Church and our ministries.
2. It communicates the individual’s alignment with our teachings, mission, vision, values, and culture, allowing us to entrust them with increasing responsibilities and leadership in the church.
3. It offers us the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of care and communication we’ve made to each other.
1. It offers us the opportunity to recognize those Christ followers who feel called to be part of AS IS Church and our ministries.
2. It communicates the individual’s alignment with our teachings, mission, vision, values, and culture, allowing us to entrust them with increasing responsibilities and leadership in the church.
3. It offers us the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of care and communication we’ve made to each other.
As a family member you are saying, “I agree with how AS IS does church, and I want to be supportive
and follow the leadership. I want to be a part of what God is doing through AS IS Church.”
As a leadership, we are saying, “We’ll help provide for your care and spiritual growth.”
and follow the leadership. I want to be a part of what God is doing through AS IS Church.”
As a leadership, we are saying, “We’ll help provide for your care and spiritual growth.”
- Connect to the faith family through our ministries and weekend family gatherings. (I Can’t Do
- Life Alone)
- Grow through our Spiritual Mentorship processes: classes, one-on-one discipleship, mentorship,
- recovery. (Growing People Change)
- Serve in a ministry related to the church. (Saved People Serve People)
- Share your story with those beyond the church. (My Story For His Glory)
- Give your tithe and offerings in support of AS IS Church and our ministries. (I Cannot Out-
- Give God)
This commitment is important to us as our relationship grows. As we close, take a few minutes to fill out
the information sheet we’ve provided you with, and if ownership is a decision you’d like to make today,
go ahead and indicate that on this form.
Also, check out the appendix of your owner’s manual for the mission, vision, and values, of AS IS
Church. These concepts have been covered in this class today.
the information sheet we’ve provided you with, and if ownership is a decision you’d like to make today,
go ahead and indicate that on this form.
Also, check out the appendix of your owner’s manual for the mission, vision, and values, of AS IS
Church. These concepts have been covered in this class today.
