We believe God’s intent is for each of us to be “conformed to the likeness of the Son” ... to become more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29). In the words of Dallas Willard, this process of discipleship is one in which we become apprentices of Jesus.

We desire to grow beyond mere knowledge, into an ever-deepening faith and trusting relationship with the Living God. This formation work is a lifelong process of transformation, hence Paul's exhortation for us to "work out" our salvation (Philippians 2:12).

We encourage spiritual practices (or "disciplines") such as various modes of prayer, corporate and personal worship, fasting, Scripture reading and study, silence, solitude and service. 

And we believe that the spiritual journey is not something we do alone but in community and relationship with others. Therefore, we promote the building of intentional friendships and participation in small groups and classes. 

“I am convinced that what drives most people away from Christianity is not the cost of discipleship but rather the cost of false fundamentals. False fundamentals make it impossible for faith to adapt to change. The longer the list of requirements and contingencies and prerequisites, the more vulnerable faith becomes to shifting environments and the more likely it is to fade slowly into extinction. When the gospel gets all entangled with extras, dangerous ultimatums threaten to take it down with them. The yoke gets too heavy and we stumble beneath it.”     - Rachel Held Evans