Justchurch is a student led community where students can explore faith in Jesus, and learn from & encourage each other to grow as followers of Jesus.
(We typically meet on Friday evenings for music/worship, to hear guest speakers, and to just hang out and chat over coffee/food/snacks.)
Jesus is our center. The central focus of our community is to grow as followers of Jesus, who is our teacher and our model (how he lived). This is our center. We are a centered-set, not bounded-set community (see below).
Love. Love God and love people. Jesus modelled this in how He treated people; He taught it as the “greatest command”. We welcome, and recognize the value, worth and dignity of every individual, no matter where they are on their faith journey, no matter their race, nationality or ethnicity, no matter their sexuality, gender identity/expression, no matter their current beliefs, religion, doubts, or questions. There is room for you here, as you are, to join us on our journey to follow Jesus and love each other.
Community. We strive to be a community, not just a weekly event, where students can really connect with each other and build mutually encouraging relationships.
Grace. We are not perfect. We might not always agree. We acknowledge that people who are committed to following Jesus and honoring the Scriptures do arrive at different interpretive conclusions on any number of theological, moral, or philosophical issues. Yet, we give each other grace, practice love, and seek unity as we accompany each other and mutually pursue the “full life” that Jesus came to earth to bring (John 10:10).
What is a centered-set community vs a bounded-set community?
Social set theorists describe two different organizational models: bounded-set or centered-set organizations (or communities). Bounded set communities are those marked by clear outer boundaries or checklists defining what it means to belong to the community. Often, for churches, these include a set of doctrinal statements (beliefs), and may also include a moral code (set of behaviors). One’s inclusion is based on how aligned one’s beliefs and behaviors are to those stated by the community and those on the inside. It sets a clear boundary for what it means to be “in”, or “out”. Conformity leads to greater acceptance. Resistance can often lead to some form of rejection or feeling like a second-class participant. See image below:
A centered-set community has a clear central vision, but has soft boundaries. A centered set community recognizes that people will be at various distances from the center. The primary focus of a centered-set community is to help point people toward the center. It is not concerned with a person’s distance from the center.
Justchurch is a centered-set community, with Jesus at the center. Our vision is to grow as followers of Jesus. He, not our cultural expressions or beliefs, becomes the primary focus. We don’t follow a set of rules; we follow a Person. Rules should not get in the way of growing a genuine and vital relationship with Jesus. Our center is following Jesus, not a set checklist (doctrinal or moral). John 5:39-40, Galatians 3:23-25
