our MISSION
Apprentice to jesus.
do what he did.
Becoming like Jesus in all the ways we can. Following Him in rhythms of abiding and neighboring.
Apprenticing means walking with Jesus in a way that goes beyond simply learning about Him—it’s learning from Him and with Him. Rooted in the Great Commission, apprenticing is about being a student who is continually shaped by the presence and teaching of Christ. This happens best in sacred friendships, like the model of the two disciples walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, where hearts “burned within them” as He spoke.
Through the Cleopus Project and other pathways, apprenticing invites people into intentional, life-giving relationships where they read Scripture together, pray consistently, encourage one another, and discern God’s voice side by side. It is not a top-down model of one expert training another, but a shared journey of companionship in following Jesus. Apprenticing provides the foundation for all else—equipping us to hear God’s voice, cultivating practices of devotion, and developing the character of Christ as we step into His mission.
apprenticing
learning directly from jesus
Neighboring is our response to the second greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It is the outward expression of the life we are cultivating through apprenticing. In a world where people are often isolated behind garage doors and busy schedules, neighboring challenges us to move beyond comfort and convenience to intentionally love those God has placed around us.
This vision is about transformed lives through authentic love. Neighboring looks like sharing meals, caring in times of need, listening to stories, and creating space for the Spirit to work in everyday relationships. Our prayer is that the waters of baptism at SCC will flow—not because of clever programs—but because people were loved into the Kingdom by neighbors who reflected the heart of Christ.
Though it is the most challenging part of our vision, neighboring is also the most essential for the church’s witness in this cultural moment. It calls us to live missionally, vulnerably, and intentionally, so that our neighborhoods and communities experience the presence of Christ through us.
neighboring
Loving people really well
Abiding flows from Jesus’ words in John 15: “Abide in me, and I in you.” It is the continual practice of living in God’s presence, drawing on His Spirit for life, renewal, and transformation. If apprenticing is the foundation and neighboring is the outward expression, abiding is the sustaining rhythm that keeps both alive.
At SCC, abiding is envisioned as a shared rule of life—a trellis of spiritual practices and rhythms that helps us remain connected to Christ together. It includes prayer, Scripture meditation, worship, Sabbath rest, and Spirit-led rhythms that anchor us deeply in God’s love. This is not about retreating from the world but about being rooted in God’s presence so that our lives bear fruit in the world.
Abiding reminds us that mission and love are not sustained by our own efforts but by the Spirit’s power. As we abide, we are renewed to apprentice faithfully and to neighbor sacrificially. Over time, this deep life with God forms us into a Kingdom people whose lives reflect the love of Jesus in every sphere.