The "New" Church is ...
- Hospitable
- Listen to visitors' stories
- Ask visitors why they came
- Don't launch into your favorite topic
- Alternative & Permission Giving
- It is in a constant state of change
- People do the ministry they want to within the standards of the congregation, but permission to act is not needed
- The overriding principle is to not violate the body
- Steeped in Theology
- Doesn't adhere to a simplistic and literalistic version of scripture that doesn't make sense
- View scripture as true, and sometimes factual
- Scripture is studied with a particular hermeneutic
- User Friendly
- Comprised of both/and rather than either/or
- Concentrates primarily on heart and relationships rather than on head and bylaws
- Printed materials engage people
- A Place of Safety
- Physical and mental well-being is guarded
- Not a trolling ground for business
- Free from panhandling
