New Here?
Welcome to New Life Community Church! Most visitors to our site are thinking about stopping by on a Sunday morning and want to know what they can expect. Let’s see if we can answer a few of your questions…
What kind of church is New Life?
We love God and we love people. Jesus Himself said that these were the most important of God’s commandments, and the ones that summarized the entire law of the Old Testament. But you probably want to know if we are affiliated with some other denomination. New Life is an independent, “non-denominational” church. The pastors of New Life have been approved and appointed by the local church, and lead the church without governance from any other entity. We do, for purposes of supporting missionary and church-planting work, voluntarily partner with a number of other churches across the Midwest.
At New Life, we express our love for God and people through the following purposes, which we pray for every Sunday morning:
- A Place to Be Saved
- A Place to Belong
- A Place to Grow
- A Place to Give
What do you believe?
New Life can generally be described as Evangelical and Reformed in our theology. We are completely dependent on the grace of God for our salvation; the Word of God for our teaching; the character of God for our example; and the Holy Spirit of God for the abundance of love, joy, and peace that God wants all of His children to regularly experience. More specific information about how we practice and implement our faith can be found on the “About Us” page.
When should I arrive and what should I wear?
Sunday services start at 10 a.m. and last about 75 minutes. Dress is casual and modest, though you’re welcomed to wear your Sunday best if you wish.
Who will I meet?
Our church family consists of about 200 singles and families. New Life is blessed with age diversity — we have more than 50 children under age 18; 25+ college students and young adults; and a dozen “empty nesters.” Many visitors have told us that we are the friendliest church they have ever encountered. Perhaps this is because we began in a living room when every new person really mattered to us. And you still do.
What will the worship be like?
Worship has a two-fold purpose. First, to glorify God and recognize the tremendous gift of grace He has given to His children. And second, to encourage the believers to love God even more and serve Him with our whole lives. Our music would fit the definition of “contemporary,” and will be led by one of several small bands. Every Sunday we share the Lord’s Supper together, to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Savior. We also take a few minutes each week to pray for God’s blessing on New Life and our ministry activities.
What will the sermon be like?
The Bible says that Jesus came to the world full of grace and truth. Our teaching seeks the same balance – to help us appreciate the great grace of the gospel, while communicating the truth of God’s Word and character. The messages are practical – and with God’s help – powerful. Our prayer for every person in attendance at New Life is that God would use the worship and the teaching to change our lives – every week.
Where will my kids be?
We’d love your kids to be with you for the first half hour of our worship, as we sing, pray, and honor Jesus. Just before the Pastor’s message we’ll take a short break, at that time if your little ones require nursery or toddler care, both are available and staffed by multiple trained volunteers. Also kids up through sixth grade will rush the doors on their way to Sunday School classes. But if you prefer, your kids can stay with you for the sermon — they’ll learn right along with you.
How do I become a member of New Life?
First and foremost, New Life is a family committed to Christ, and committed to one another. The most important aspect of membership is that you share these two commitments.
Beyond this, you won’t visit too many Sundays before you hear a Pastor talk about the four core purposes of New Life – “A Place to Be Saved,” “A Place to Belong,” “A Place to Grow,” and “A Place to Give,” and we pray for one of these purposes every Sunday morning. We believe these are the cornerstones of any Christian church. Or to put it another way, it is the definition of an Authentic Christian church. A broader description of how we define and seek Authentic Christianity can be found here. If you like what you read and want to join with us for the sake of Christ, just let one of the Pastors know.
March 2019 New Life Membership Teachings
What happens outside of Sunday mornings?
The vast majority of our members belong to a L.I.F.E. Group that meets every other week for small group Bible study, prayer, and to build closer friendships. Our L.I.F.E. groups meet on various nights of the week, and you can choose the one that’s right for you. Another type of small group that meets regularly are Barnabas Groups. These same-gender groups of 3-5 adults dig deep into the blessings and burdens of life, and encourage each other through sharing and prayer.
On Wednesday evenings throughout the school year, our six-acre ministry center is brimming with activity. About 50 kids age kindergarten through sixth grade participate in our AWANA program, where they play games, memorize Bible verses, share the Gospel, and enjoy a lesson from the Bible. In another part of the building, our 7th-12th grade youth group is meeting for worship, Bible study, and small group discussion. Parents are welcomed to volunteer and participate in both AWANA and youth group.
The church calendar is filled with plenty of other ministry, recreation, and fellowship opportunities for everyone.
What is Authentic Christianity?
That’s probably not a question you would directly ask, but its one we want to directly answer. There is no doubt that it is a great blessing of God that we live in the United States, and at this time in human history. We didn’t choose this for ourselves — to be born into the greatest wealth, the greatest age of information, and the greatest freedoms that have ever existed on planet earth. But perhaps this unearned abundance has led many to a mistaken understanding of what God desires from those who have been saved by grace. All of God’s Word is very clear — our Heavenly Father wants all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. He wants all and every part of us. As the Apostle Paul describes in Romans chapter 12, when we have a clear understanding of how merciful God has been toward us, our only reasonable response is to worship Him. Paul describes this as “offering ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”
At New Life, we use the phrase Authentic Christianity often, to describe what we believe God expects from every born again Christian. Our purposes and strategies revolve encouraging a lifestyle that is truly pleasing to God. For more information, please visit our Authentic Christianity page or view the diagram of our purposes and strategies.