WHO WE ARE
At Living Stone Communities, our identity is found in who God is, what He has done, and who He declares us to be. We find joy and fulfillment living everyday life in line with that identity.
FAMILY
We are children of God who live and care for each other as a family.
God has always desired a people—an earthly family—who would live in such a way that the world would know what He is like. Jesus said that those who live in His ways and obey His Father are truly His family. Through Jesus, we believe we are children of God and brothers and sisters with each other. As family, we see it as our obligation to personally care for the needs of one another—both physically and spiritually. We disciple, nurture and hold each other accountable to this covenant life together. (Genesis 12:1-3; John 1:12-13; Romans 12:10-16)
MISSIONARIES
We are sent by God to restore all things to himself.
God sent his son, Jesus, to Earth to take on human form and live within the culture. He worked, ate, and interacted among the people; living in such a way that those around Him could see and experience what God was truly like. Jesus came so that all people, places, and things could be restored to a right relationship with God. In the same way, we believe we are missionaries sent into our culture to restore all things to God through Jesus. (John 1:14, 20:21; Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
SERVANTS
We are servants of God who serve others as a way of life.
Fully God and fully human, Jesus took on the posture of a servant. He gave His life, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace, and restoration. Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves…” All those who follow Jesus are called to serve in the same humility. For us this means joyful submission to God, to leadership, and to each other as we serve whomever God brings into our lives. We do whatever needs doing, whenever it’s needed, and wherever it leads us. (Matthew 20:25-28, 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)
LEARNERS
We are disciples of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and that of others.
As a young man, Jesus grew in both stature and wisdom. He learned from local religious teachers, by living in community, and through regular times of listening to God. Jesus called others to follow His ways, to be His disciples, and to live in obedience to all that God commands. He then sent these followers out to make new disciples. We believe we are also called to be followers of Jesus who take responsibility for our own development and the development of others. This includes our personal time with God and participation in training provided by spiritual leadership. (Luke 2:52; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 2:2)
Our identity is found in God's story.
The Gospel Changes
Everything
The message of hope for this world and of grace for the sinner, the gospel is not merely a bold truth, but the very power of God which grows, changes, and shapes everything.
We Seek God's Truth in
Every Situation
We desire to understand and apply God's truth, which may be different than our personal experience, desires, or assumptions. We trust the Bible, God's personal word to us, for understanding truth, revealing hearts, and renewing lives for human flourishing.
The Church is
Everywhere
The church is not just a place; it is God's people sent to fill every place with Jesus' presence. Wherever we gather in honor to Him, His character, and His nature, there is church.
OUR CORE VALUES
We Are On Mission
Every Day
We desire to live all of life with Spirit-led awareness in order to bless and flourish our community and neighbors at every opportunity.
We Welcome
Everyone
Jesus lived a life of radical inclusion. He met and accepted people where they were, regardless of social or cultural background.
So do we.
Prayer Permeates Everything
We strive to live lives saturated with prayer, constantly in touch with God, always desiring to see where and how God is moving in our community.
CONNECT
WITH US
Our Gospel Communities, Sunday Gathering, and DNA groups work in harmony to connect us to the body of Christ. Each serves a unique purpose as we seek to encourage, embolden, and equip individuals to become mature and reproducing followers of Jesus.
GOSPEL
COMMUNITIES
Gospel Communities are at the heart of what we do at Living Stone Communities.
A Gospel Community (GC) is a group of people growing as disciples of Jesus while making disciples. GCs are made up of interwoven families of servant missionaries who live out the gospel through loving, praying for, and serving their neighbors and one another.
Gospel Communities typically meet in homes and emphasize daily life-on-life community and mission.
Contact us to find a Gospel Community where you belong.
SUNDAY
GATHERING
Our Sunday Gathering is a time for the larger family of Christ-followers to worship together and encourage one another in communion, song, scripture, and celebration of God's grace. Together we strive to discover, experience, and express the kind of worship to which we are called by God.
We currently meet at the The Junction on Sundays at 10 AM.
The Junction
301 E. Oakland Ave.
Bloomington, IL
Text notification and social media updates will be used to communicate changes.
Make sure your cell phone contact is updated in the Simple Church directory.
DNA
(Discover, Nurture, Act)
DNA (Discover, Nurture, Act) provides an opportunity for members of a Gospel Community to meet in smaller groups of trusted brothers or sisters in Christ to care deeply for one another and to foster growth as disciples of Jesus.
Emphasis is to move head knowledge to the heart and then to lasting life change.