The Heartbeat of West Side
From the first few services, we began to see that God was doing something BIG! We experienced growth in those early months that rivaled what we had only heard of in churches in large cities. We thought the growth would stop, or at least slow down… but we were wrong. As West Side has continued to grow numerically, it has been our commitment to grow spiritually as well… but that is easier said than done.
A typical weekend service at West Side consists of seekers (those looking for answers), first timers (those who have never attended church before) and many transients (those from other churches). Many of these who attend our services are skeptical, reserved and cautious about everything. As we reach out to these people we have to be confident that God is the answer to all of their questions… and We Are! It is critical that we treat everyone as special at West Side – from the senior pastor who greets you at the front door, to the hospitality team who serves you a hot cup of coffee, to the children’s ministry volunteer who serves your kids, to the person who worships beside you in the worship center. Through each moment of your experience at West Side, we pray you will begin to discover why so many people have said “it feels like home to me.” Every aspect of your experience is crucial to the effectiveness of coming into contact with a God who finds you irresistible and irreplaceable.
The Core Values of West Side
From the very beginning, God placed in our hearts the clear call to follow some basic principles that would make West Side unique. These principles are not unique because no one else does them. They are unique because no one else does them like we do.
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A Safe Place to Discover God
When we say “a safe place,” we are not saying a complacent place. Rather, safety is an issue that has to be taken seriously. We have strategically chosen to “do church” in such a way that it disarms people of their preconceived ideas of what church should look like. We encourage people to grab a cup of coffee and find a comfortable seat to enjoy the service. We have purposely chosen not to receive an offering by “passing the plate.” Instead, we have offering boxes at the entrances where you can place your gift. Another disarming agent is the genuine warmth and energy you experience from the staff at West Side. From the senior pastor greeting you at the front door to the humor and life application stories shared throughout the sermon, you will begin to relax and feel safe. It is then that the message of a loving God can be more easily received.
A Church that Cares about their Community
We have been very proactive about caring for the disadvantaged in our area. West Side has distributed turkeys at Thanksgiving, along with back-packs, athletic shoes, school supplies, winter clothing, boots for children, and significant amounts of food to those in need throughout the year. We have also partnered with Freedom Builders Ministry to do home repair projects and launched a program that intentionally motivates our church to reach out to our community. Another evangelism ministry is North Shore Outdoor Ministries that trains, teaches and leads youth groups during a week-long evangelism experience.
A Freedom to Complete the Mission, Passion and Vision of Christ
When you experience ‘freedom in the church’ there is nothing like it on earth! For too long churches have been a place of restriction and rules, but at West Side we encourage people to find freedom in Christ! When you are free you can begin to accomplish the things God has called you to do.
Our Call as Disciples of Christ is Clear
Mission: We are to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). Our mission is to see believers grow deeper in their faith, to understand the Word of God, and respond to His Voice. Our world needs to see a group of people who are completely committed to Christ!
Passion: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16). Our passion is to proclaim the truth that God loves you and He can’t imagine another moment apart from you– so come home! Outreach and evangelism are key parts of our ministry.
Vision: “Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary, be strong and do the work” (I Chronicles 28:10). That was our vision, and we completed the construction of our church building in 2008. The facility serves as a place of healing, help and hope for our community.
A Pastoral Staff Led Church
When some people hear “pastoral staff led church” they may think of a dictatorship with no boundaries or clarity. In reality, it is none of the above. Rather, West Side is committed to allow the pastoral staff to set the mission, passion and vision as well as the future direction of the church with the accountability, wisdom and strategy of the Board of Elders guided by God’s Word. It is this relationship within the leadership that makes West Side function so smoothly. Everyone has the same goal, and with the appropriate checks and balances in place the staff are free to do what needs to be done on a daily basis without limiting their gifts and talents.
