Our Vision
To build a transformational community in the South Bay where every person can discover a place to belong, and be changed forever by the love of Jesus Christ.
Why?
The "Christian" community isn't an option our friends and family are looking for. The church is no longer on the "radar" of our friends and family. As a result, the church is in decline and in many cases irrelevant. We need to be creative and intentional in providing a transformational community which overwhelms each person with the love of Jesus, and narrows the options, to just one option.
How?
By creating a church you would be excited to invite friends and family. A church that is loving, relevant, and compassionate. A church which offers transformational encounters with God, and brings meaning, purpose and life change.
When?
Now!!! We are losing the next generation to sports, entertainment and cultural events each and every week. And the decision is getting easier and easier for every person to make. Our hope and vision is to change each person's perspective of the church. For every person to experience the life changing power of Jesus Christ, and to transform a choice into a commitment.
TRANSFORMATIONAL SUNDAY EXPERIENCE - to grow deep and wide in our love and faith through the Sunday service.
KIDS - reaching, teaching and growing the next generation for Jesus
CONNECT - doing life together
CULTURE - Contemporary, and relevant application to God's Word in our walk and our talk
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11 – 13 (NASB)
Every member is a MINISTER. I Peter 2
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is chosen and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - ! Peter 2:4-5 (NASB)
No one ministers ALONE. Romans 12
- Team Structured
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. – Romans 12:3-5 (NASB)
- Gift Based
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly; if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teachers, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:6-8 (NASB)
- Love Driven
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. – Romans 12:9- 13 (NASB)
Truthfulness
We are committed to living without hypocrisy and speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15, 25)
Humility
We are committed to live in desperate dependency on God and embrace servanthood as a way of life. (Philippians 2:3-8)
Evangelism
We are committed to winsomely proclaiming the “good news” by word and deed to those who do not yet know Christ in ways that make sense to them. (Luke 15, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Bible-Centered
We are committed to the authority and application of Scripture to every area of our lives and relationships. (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17)
Relationship
We are committed to build Christ-centered in-depth relationships in order to love one another as Christ loved us. (John 13:34-35)
Impact
We are committed to measuring our effectiveness by the quality and quantity of our personal, local, national, and global impact for the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Diversity
We are committed to proactively seeking to cross racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and generational barriers to reveal the beauty and authenticity for the body of Christ. (Galatians 3:26 – 29)
Grace
We are committed to celebrating God’s grace as the basis for our relationship with Him and fostering an environment that reflects that grace in our lives and relationships. (! Corinthians 15:10)
- The church is not just an organization but also an organism.
- The church is not religion but a relationship.
- The church is not a building but a people.
- The church is not an event but a calling.
Joining The Anchor Southbay is about a growing relationship with God, developing authentic community with people and being radically committed to a cause not a name or a role.
II. “Our Practice” demands we have clear expectations of one another.
What you can expect from the Anchor South Bay is…
- 1. Consistent biblical teaching with life application.
- 2. Relevant, God-focused worship.
- 3. Authentic community and concern.
- 4. Integrity and accountability in the stewardship of all resources.
- 5. Being equipped for ministry.
- 6. Being empowered and challenged to grow.
- 7. Forgiveness and acceptance in failure.
- 8. Practical help for healthy family relationships.
- 9. A commitment to global discipleship.
- 10. A consistent diet of "change" and faith-stretching opportunities.
What we will expect from you is…
- To protect the unity of this church.
- By acting in love toward other members (Peter 1:22)
- By resolving conflicts according to (Matthew 18:15-17)
- By following the leaders (Hebrews 13:17)
- To support the testimony of this church
- By attending faithfully (Hebrews 10:25)
- By giving regularly (! Corinthians 16:2)
- By living a godly life (Ephesians 4:1)
- To serve the ministry of this church
- By discovering my spiritual gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10)
- By being equipped to serve (Ephesians 4:11-12)
- By developing a servant’s heart (Phillippians 2:3-4)
- To share the responsibility of this church.
- By praying for its growth (Colossians 1:9-10)
- By inviting the unchurched to attend (Luke 14:23)
- By warmly welcoming those who visit (Romans 15:7)
III. “Our Practice” involves a simple but important process
- 1. Partner together as a
member of the Anchor
- 2. A personal interview with the pastoral staff
- 3. Your participation in authentic community through a small
group ministry team or ongoing mentoring relationships.
- 4. The loving application of Ephesians 4:15 and Matthew 18:15-17
when anyone in our body (including staff and leaders) continually fails to live
consistently to the covenant to which we have mutually agreed.
One of the most important decisions a person or family makes in their spiritual journey is to take a step towards involving themselves in the activities and family life of a local church. To ensure that this process is both positive and smooth, the staff and leadership want to offer some helpful steps on how to become involved at the Anchor South Bay.
Step 1: Commit Yourself to Regularly Attending a Sunday Morning Service.
The Anchor South Bay morning services are specifically designed to address 21st century issues in a warm, informal, and contemporary setting. If you are a believer or a seeker, welcome! Every aspect of our morning services from the music to the message is planned to be relevant, inspirational, and thought-provoking.
Step 2: Attend a Community Group
More often than not the average person sees the Sunday morning service the primary connecting point to a local church. We see this as a very positive start!
However, we also understand that large groups are usually not the ideal setting to promote community and relationship building. This was illustrated by a very thoughtful comment that a Visitor made to a member of our staff. He commented “we love the music and teaching on Sunday, but I would like to get to know people…it is hard to do in such a large group.”
Great point! The truth is, Sunday services are not really designed to provide an environment to build relationships and meet new friends (even though we are working hard to connect people to each other).
That is why The Anchor South Bay offers small groups that meet in homes throughout the South Bay area. Small groups are designed to foster relationships, personal instruction, and off-site activities. Information about the Anchor small groups can be found at www.anchorsouthbaychurch.org If you would like assistance in selecting a small group, please contact Pastor Keith at keith@pcjcfm.org
Step 3: Volunteer Your Services
The Anchor South Bay offers many opportunities to volunteer service. One way to become involved in the life of a church is to assume an ongoing responsibility in a specific area of interest to you. We believe that becoming committed to serve faithfully is to experience the wonderful Biblical truth “Give and it will be given to you”. Please feel free to inquire about volunteer/service opportunities at the Anchor by contacting Pastor Keith at keith@pcjcfm.org
Step 4: Ask for An Appointment with a Pastor
The pastoral staff are always available to answer questions that you may have in regard to your interest in becoming more involved. Sometimes a personal meeting can provide needed information to take the next step.
Step 5: Pray
Still no clarity on where to get involved? We believe a decision to involve oneself in the family life of a church is a decision that is better made in prayer. Pray about where the Lord wants you to be involved. You may not get an initial “warm fuzzy feeling” that directs you….that’s okay! God will direct you.
Step 6: Accept Our Affirmation
A decision to become involved in a church is a mark of spiritual maturity. We want to affirm your resolve, willingness, a desire to take such a big step forward. It proves that you understand that a church is not meant to be a grandstand with everyone on the sideline watching a few “star players” perform. We are all meant to be on the field and in on the action in a loving, caring, serving, encouraging expression of Christ’s family, the church.
Step 7: Take Your Time
You may have come to this church bruised, tired, wounded, or with no prior understanding of how a church functions. You may feel that you do not have the strength or ability to immediately involve yourself at the Anchor. Take your time. You do not have to do anything to EARN God’s favor, or ours. Take some time to grow, heal, or simply get acquainted. Then when it is time for you to “take up a towel and serve,” you will be ready!