The gospel is a message that is to be proclaimed and believed1, it is the point of the entire Bible2, and it is worthy of our whole lives.3  It is the good news that God saves sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.4  We believe that we are shaped by this gospel reality afresh, by faithfully gathering each Sunday as the people of God (as well as at other key times during the course of a year).  We rehearse it through song and liturgy5, we receive it through the preached Word6, and we embody it in the sacraments.7  Everything in the Christian life flows from this weekly rhythm.8

1 Mark 1:14-15 2 Galatians 1:11-12 3 Philippians 1:27-30 4 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 5 Colossians 3:16-17 6 1 Peter 1:23-25      7 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 8 Acts 2:42-47

The gospel is not just a message to be proclaimed and believed, but a power to be experienced.1  For through it God creates and forms a brand new community, made up of former strangers, enemies, and slaves, and in and through the finished work of Christ adopts them as His own.2  Therefore we assemble regularly in smaller groups (Connection Groups, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies, Gatherings of Students), in order to be more fully cemented together as a dwelling place for God.3  These groups are a weekly “refueling station” of sorts, focused more on formation than information, and seeking to help people believe and apply the gospel in all of life.  You’ll often hear us refer to them as the “lifeblood” of Northwest, and a place where we hope people experience true community and belonging.

1 Romans. 1:16-17 2 Ephesians 2:11-13; Romans 5:10; Galatians 4:4-7 3 Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5

The gospel is not just a message to be proclaimed and believed, and a power to be experienced, but a call to be on mission; i.e. the mission of making disciples of all nations.1  In John 20:21, Jesus tells his disciples “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  This happens first and foremost as our church scatters into the communities around us, eating with unbelieving co-workers, volunteering to help in our children’s schools, and participating in community-wide events, causes, and culture.2  But it also happens as we collectively mobilize around particular works of mercy, justice, and church planting.3

1 1 Chronicles 16:23-24; Psalm 96:3; Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:8 2 Acts 11:26 3 Acts 13:2-3; Romans 10:14-15; Revelation 14:6