Our mission at St Johns Church is simply Love God. Love People.

We are unapologetically a church in the Portland Neighborhood of St Johns that is actively working together with other churches, groups, and like minded people to help see the kingdom of God realized in our community. Our vision is that we might be a hub in our community where people can find hope for a brighter tomorrow, meaningful connection and collaboration with neighbors, and a space to encounter the life changing power of Jesus.

Our Values

These six core values are at the heart of our identity as St Johns Church.
Rooted in scripture they determine all we do and how we go about doing them.

Connection

We value connection with God, each other, and our community. We were created to be in relationship, and we are better when we create, work, plan, and fellowship together.

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. Colossians 2:2 (NLT)

Justice

Throughout the Bible, God works to make all things right, and calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Bible calls this “justice.” We show God’s love and justice to our neighbors by promoting fairness, and by giving voice to the oppressed, marginalized, and vulnerable among us.

Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. Isaiah 1:17 (MSG)

Equality

Scripture teaches us that God does not show favoritism, but that all are created equal in Christ Jesus. We celebrate and value the diversity found throughout all of God’s creation.

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NRSV)

Integrity

God calls us to be upstanding, honest, and righteous in the way that we live and speak with one another. We want everything we say and do to reflect the character of Christ.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7 (NLT)

Growth

We acknowledge that none of us are perfect or righteous. We do not expect perfection from our members or leaders. However, we desire that all of us will grow in our faith, our discipleship, in our knowledge and understanding of God’s word, and in our love for God and others.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Grace

We are all recipients of grace and for this reason we value the importance of extending grace to others. Scripture is clear in teaching us that God extends his grace to everyone and it is only through this grace that we are saved.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Our Beliefs

We intentionally leave space for a diverse understanding, practice, and interpretation of God’s word. We believe in unity and that one of God’s greatest desires for us is that would be able to work out our differences with love. With that said, we do adhere to a pretty universal Christian orthodox belief. Our foundational beliefs come from some of the early creeds of the church, namely the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.

Statement of Belief

We believe…

God is the creator of all things in heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ as God’s only Son, who died and rose again; in the Holy Spirit who lives and works in the world and in our lives today.

Jesus Christ the Son suffered on the cross, died but rose again and now sits at the Father’s right hand until he returns to judge every person at the last day.

The Holy Scriptures are the God breathed, inspired Word of God.

By the grace of God every person has the ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong. Those who repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.

God not only counts the believer as righteous, but makes such persons righteous, freeing them from sin, purifying their hearts by faith and perfecting them in love, and providing for their growth in grace at every stage of spiritual life, enabling them through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to live victorious lives.