What We Believe

WE HAVE A VISION
We have a vision of worship gatherings that are inspiring and creative, promoting an active personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We envision a variety of styles, settings, and places for worship gatherings to meet the needs of a variety of people.

We have a vision to share God’s story and our own story with our neighbors and one another. This is the story of God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness that leads us to wholeness and purpose in life. We have a vision of being a community where hurting, discouraged, and lonely people find love, acceptance, and encouragement.

We have a vision that people of all ages experience spiritual transformation through Bible studies, small groups, prayer, and service.

We have a vision of equipping every follower of Christ for a significant ministry by helping them discover their God given spiritual gifts, talents, and leadership potential.

We have a vision of an accessible and inviting physical property that will be used as a hub to support multiple ministries to meet the needs of our community.

WE HAVE A MISSION
The people of Aldrich Church aspire to be a welcoming and supportive community, expressing God’s love in service to our neighbors and one another. Through a vibrant hub of active ministries, we desire to share the love and compassion of Jesus Christ and invite people to enjoy a lifelong relationship with him.

WE VALUE THESE THINGS
The members of Aldrich Avenue Presbyterian Church, as followers of Jesus Christ, seek to become the church that God has called us to be.

1. We value worship of the one true God who lives eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." Psalm 95:6-7a

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23

2. We value God’s transformation in our lives.
We strive to be like Jesus through our actions and words. Through worship, study, prayer, fellowship, teaching and praise we grow individually and together as followers of Jesus.

"Therefore, I urge you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

3. We value ministry to and for the whole person.
Following the compassionate example of Jesus, we seek to minister to the spiritual, emotional, relational, financial and physical needs of people that all may find wholeness in Jesus Christ.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Luke 4:18-19

4. We value active outreach to our neighborhood and the world.
We want to become the hands, feet and heart of Jesus in mission to our neighborhood and our world to enable people to personally experience the love of God. We are committed to reaching out and connecting with young people in our neighborhood.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’" Romans 10:14-15

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

5. We value and believe in the power of prayer

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20

6. We value the unique gifts of each person
We celebrate that Aldrich is a multi-generational church; all ages fellowship and worship together.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:4-6a

7. We value loving relationships.
Through fellowship, we demonstrate in word and action God's forgiving and healing love as we pray for, strengthen and support one another.

”Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

8. We value small groups
We recognize that small-group ministry is essential to building relationships and fostering spiritual development.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." I Corinthians 12:12