Inclusive, Inspiring, Impactful
Our vision is to be a collective expression of inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality wherever it is needed.
Our mission is to grow together in the love, peace, and justice of Christ for the sake of our relationships, our cities, and our world.
values & practices
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
We are an LGBTQ+ affirming church!
We practice an open table of communion and a non-credal posture of Christian faith so that all are welcome to the table of grace regardless of their doctrinal beliefs or where they might be on their journey of faith.
We practice the inclusion and empowerment of all who have been historically excluded and disempowered in church communities, including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons; we affirm and celebrate the sacrament of marriage for all loving couples, regardless of gender, sexuality, or identity.
We practice congregational governance so members have a voice in the decisions and direction of our church through congregational input, a representative elder board, and a supportive staff.
RELATIONAL SPIRITUALITY
We practice gathering regularly as a community to pray, sing, worship, remember, learn, lament, and celebrate, both in-person and online.
We practice the reading and interpretation of scripture together in community because we believe the dialogue of scripture reveals the relational character of God, especially in the person of Christ.
We practice co-equal relationships among the three bodies of our church — congregants, elders, and staff — in order to lead together in a way that is transparent, accountable, and effective; likewise, we have chosen to be in a co-equal relationship of accountability with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Regional and National offices.
ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE
We practice serving the needs of the poor and humbly advocating for social policies that support the common good in order to address the root causes of poverty, inequality, bigotry, and ecological destruction.
We practice collaborative relationships with interfaith communities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, local schools, and businesses in order to pursue our calling as Christians to co-create flourishing communities of peace.
We practice an organizing model of activism because the process of shared advocacy creates social justice along the way by building relationships of respect, solidarity, and empowerment for the marginalized in our communities.
PRIORITIES
These are the most important next steps we feel called to focus on in our growth and development together through December, 2025.
Pursue anti-racism, racial justice, and racial healing in ways that produce healthier, deeper, and more invested relationships.
Become a more empowering community for women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons.
Grow opportunities for deeper relationships and spiritual growth beyond our Sunday Gathering.
Learn to empower youth in their Christ-inspired spirituality so we are generationally birthing new expressions of faith.
Learn to generate new expressions of inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality wherever it is needed.
Partners
how did you come up with this mission?
Our whole congregation participates in a process of evaluating and renewing our Mission Commitment every three-to-five years. To see the process for our most recent renewal, completed in January 2021, you can click here. Our next Mission Commitment process will take place during our 150th anniversary year in 2025.
Where is your statement of beliefs?
We don’t have a traditional statement of beliefs. The Oceanside Sanctuary is part of the Disciples of Christ, which is a non-creedal tradition. That means we don’t use doctrines to test, judge, or exclude people. Rather than gathering around a common set of beliefs or doctrines, we gather around a common set of practices conferred by the life and teachings of Christ. All are welcome to join us wherever they might be on that journey.