We exist as citizens of the City of God -

Saint Augustine, often referred to as the foremost Christian theologian and philosopher, wrote “City of God” as he witnessed the fall of Rome from across the mediterranean. Ultimately, Augustine took the biblical images of the heavenly city, a city built by God, and contrasted them with the earthly, temporal cities.  

He emphasizes that earthly cities represent a kingdom of human pride, self-love and the desire for power.  By contrast, the City of God is characterized by the Love of God, humility and the pursuit of eternal truth and peace.  

The reality is, Christians live in both cities during their earthly lives - they are citizens of earthly nations, but their true allegiance is to the City of God, the eternal kingdom where they dwell with God forever.  This was true during the time of Augustine’s, and it is still true today.

City Church is a community of believers rooted in the eternal City of God.  City Church is a space to experience God’s love, grace, and truth.  City Church is a home to build up using your unique gifts.  City Church is a place for transformative Christian friendship.

(Philippians 3:20, Isaiah 26:1-2, Revelation 21:2-4)

Devoted to studying scripture -

We work out this citizenship by staying rooted and grounded in the Word of God, studying it richly to know, honor, and obey God.  We do this so that God’s word may abide in us as we abide in him. His Word is the source of a citizen’s flourishing.  We read scripture, we memorize scripture, we pray scripture, we sing scripture, we obey scripture, we remind one another with scripture.

(John 15:7, John 5:39, Luke 24:27, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 1:1-3)

Walking virtuously -

We strive to remain steadfast and rooted in the historical faith, upholding biblical virtues lived out and on display in the lives of our people.  Our love for God and our love for one another will be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit being produced in the lives of our people at City Church. Citizens of the City aim to grow in Christian virtues like prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice as we look more like our King, Jesus.

(Proverbs 10:9, Micah 6:8, Galatians 5:22-23) 

And proclaiming the life-giving love of Jesus - 

As the Love of Christ dwells in us richly, we proclaim this love to one another and to a lost and dying world. We proclaim that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that in Him is life and life to the full!  We extend and offer grace to one another in the City, and we invite others to partake and participate in this “life-giving” love that Jesus has to offer.

(Colossians 3:16, John 14:6, John 10:10, John 3:16)

By Grace - 

ALL of this is done as a response to the great love that God has poured out on us! Our citizenship was not earned but given by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross for our sins. 

(Ephesians 2:8-9)