re·li·gion noun ri-ˈli-jən - man made rules and ceremonies in an attempt to please God and other people.

non·re·li·gious adj ri-ˈli-jəs - responding to God's Grace through Faith and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and fellow believer.

When the Church (Church 1.0) began just after the Ascension of Jesus, Church was simple. There were no buildings, budgets, programs, committees, denominations, politics, etc. It was just people who believed in Jesus Christ. People who had put their faith in Jesus for salvation: meeting together to worship, pray, fellowship, and serve and encourage each other. People and relationships were a priority. They wholeheartedly embraced the simplicity of Jesus’ teachings that all scripture could be summed up in two thoughts:

1. Love God with everything (have a right relationship with God),
2. Love others (have a right relationship with other people).

Because Jesus had transformed their lives, they wanted to spend time with other believers and spread the Good News to their family, friends, and co-workers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all that long before the simplicity was lost and church became complicated. Divisions entered Christianity. The Church was formalized. Buildings, budgets, programs, denominations, politics, and committees were added; and the Church’s effectiveness and simplicity was lost. Church 2.0 was formally in session. Under Church 2.0, it is often more about Church doctrines, rules, programs, personalities, buildings and budgets, than about Jesus and relationships.

Church 3.0 is about returning to the simplicity of believing in Jesus Christ, without all the clutter and complications of Church 2.0. Join us on Sundays at 10:00am for Connections Café; the time may be traditional, but the meeting and setting is anything but!