"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night."

It is with these words that we would like to introduce you to the mission behind COMMON GROUND. We are a group of believers from a number of different denominational backgrounds who want to celebrate the Lord's love and faithfulness. While our individual theologies may differ slightly, there are a number of reasons we can stand together. Our desire is to focus on the things that unite us rather than what divides us. Jesus' prayer in John 17 was that his followers would be brought to complete unity. Our prayer is that COMMON GROUND is a step in that direction.

COMMON GROUND is not a "church" and is not intended to be a substitute for a Sunday morning worship experience within one's own denomination. It is intended to be an addition or supplement. A place to come and be yourself, worship the Lord, enjoy some food and make new friends. We are putting together a casual atmosphere (jeans and T-shirts are perfect) for a reason. We want you to come as you are and not feel as though you need to 'dress-up' in order to fit in. Our prayer is that you will join us and experience the love, faithfulness and grace of God in a fresh and exciting new way.

In attempting to reach a common ground with other believers someone once said: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things, love." Here is a look at our essentials:

The Source: God is the creator and source of everything that is... the Author of all truth who speaks life and matter into existence. He is perfect. He is the author of righteousness, authority, power and love.

The Purpose: God created us for a purpose, to know Him and enjoy Him forever. God desires a relationship with each of us, but has given each person the right to choose their own desires, including the right to rebel against him. The absence of this personal, spiritual communion with Him creates a void, a life without meaning and fulfillment.

The Problem: WE ALL REBEL, and the result of our rebellion is separation from God.

The Solution: Jesus Christ, God's only son, was sent to provide a perfect example of a life lived in communion with God. His unjust death and resurrection from the dead offers a clean slate and an intimate relationship with God to all those who accept it.

As one enters this relationship with God it is important to reflect this new reality with transformed living. A prayer attributed to St. Francis summarizes the essence of what it means for Christians to live transformed lives in a world that rebels against God. He prayed:

"Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, let us sow pardon;
where there is discord, let us sow union;
where there is doubt, let us sow faith;
where there is despair, let us sow hope;
where there is darkness, let us sow light;
where there is sadness, let us so joy.
Grant that we may not seek so much
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."