Our Core Values: Relational

At Spirit & Life Church, we engage with each other through our interactions at our weekly church services, small group meetings, while volunteering for community service projects, and as we sing songs of praise and worship. Our connectedness is relational — it is the result of our shared vision for the growth of the church, which starts with our personal Christian growth; every day striving to be transformed to be our best, reflecting the love of Christ. In supporting and nurturing each other on our life journey as Christians, we recognize that relational nexus with others in the church, and in our communities is essential. At Spirit & Life relational bonds are the real foundation of our kinship with each other — mutual and authentic. Indeed the Bible encourages us to be intentional in how we engage with each other:

“23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near“.  Hebrews 10:23-25 

Our small group meetings provide an opportunity for us to get to know one another in a more relational way. In studying the bible, and other Christian themed books, we learn how to apply spiritual principles to modern everyday life. In service, our natural relational connection to people from all walks of life is highlighted, and evident. We see ourselves in the faces of others, and our children’s eyes are reflected in the those of children in need. When we sing praises to our Lord Jesus Christ, we become a relational chorus — raising our voices in unison, in agreement, always inviting the Holy Spirit to fill our church, our hearts and our lives with its presence.

When I moved to Montclair, VA a few years ago, I attended Spirit & Life occasionally, and then more and more. I matured from just attending church, to participating in the set-up of our services each week. Later I became involved in the administration and planning of church outreach activities. For many years, I sat in churches, and listened to the messages, and maintained my Christian faith. But over time, I was filled with the desire to be relational with others in the church. But for me, it required some work. I had to talk about my life, my family, my hope and fears, and about what troubled me. What challenges was I facing? And while no one at Spirit & Life can fix anything in my life that may be broken, our relational engagements allowed me to feel, and appreciate the support from my brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes, just talking about an issue that is troubling us is enough. The Bible asks us:

“to confess [our] sins one to another, pray for one another so that [we] may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”   James 5:16

Relational ties to those at Spirit & Life have allowed me to do that. I don’t have to carry the weight of life on my shoulders, because I understand that life’s challenges are shared by everyone. But together, as we grow our Christian faith, we can count it all joy. Authenticity — being yourself, and being able to talk with others in your church about any issue you are facing is born from relational encounters with others. We invite you to come, be your authentic self, increase your faith, and experience hope, in our church — filled with Spirit & Life! 

Stephanie currently serves on church council as our outreach coordinator.