Statement of Values

A New Way is a safe and inclusive space for voices to be heard in following the true character of Christ.

Who We Are

We want to reclaim the Christ-centered faith as one of grace, inclusion, and compassion, approaching the teachings of Jesus with sincerity and open minds. This includes reaching out to the community, those who have been hurt by churches in the past, those who have endured systemic exploitation, and those who have been rejected by their families or communities because of who they are.

At our core are the teachings of Jesus to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.  Within our leadership team, we have diverse interpretations and expressions of faith.  At A New Way, we believe the Bible is a valuable guidebook for life (see our separate statement on the Bible).  We believe that God loves everyone. We believe that all are entitled to a seat at God’s table.  We are passionate about not allowing our differences to create division within the church community.

A New Way is not only a church that condemns injustice, but also a church that will fight for justice.  We will stand up for others and use our voice in the community.

We are an affirming, human rights church that believes love is a blessing, diversity is a gift, worship is a celebration, and life is a journey. We believe that all people are expressions of God’s creative beauty. A New Way is committed to embracing marginalized communities.

A New Way is a safe space for conversation and doubt. Meaningful discussion and respectful debate are spiritual practices. We want our community to share beliefs and questions without hesitation or fear.

We are a church for everyone. No matter where you are in your relationship with God, or even if you believe there is no God, you are welcome and valued at A New Way. We promise to listen and share without judgment (see community guidelines). We are here for you when you are ready, and we will meet you where you are.

Financial transparency is important to us. Donations are appreciated, but never required.  If you have questions about how donations are being used, please ask a member of the leadership team. 

Who We Are Not

We are not like every other church. As our name suggests, we’re doing something new. We are not just another venue to deliver the brand of Christianity that most American churches serve. We believe everyone’s relationship with God is deeply personal. We are happy to discuss all aspects of faith and spirituality and listen to what you have to say. We are also happy to share ideas, but there is no litmus test of beliefs to be part of our community.

We are not affiliated with any other church, and there is no church or organization sitting behind us. We are not a church plant, satellite location, or new site. We’re just us. We take our independence seriously and will not take contributions from any organization that would attempt to exercise control of our mission as a result.

We will not exclude qualified individuals from serving in leadership based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomics, physical or mental ability, or past experiences.

We do not have all the answers. If you want a church that will tell you they have life figured out, we are not the place for you. We will share our thoughts, but we will also ask questions.  Discussion is part of our DNA. Unlike many churches, we want you to share your viewpoints – particularly concerning topics in which we may lack experience and knowledge.  We are continuously learning how to best to serve the community.