Why “Living Stones”?
“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God, you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house…”
— 1 Peter 2:4–5
“…to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
The name Living Stones is rooted directly in Scripture.
Jesus is the Living Stone—rejected by the world, misunderstood, and cast aside—yet chosen by God and made the cornerstone of salvation. In this same passage, we are reminded that we are also like living stones: imperfect, unfinished, sometimes overlooked… yet being shaped and formed together into something God is building.
This reflects not only the culture we strive for, but more importantly, who Jesus says we are in Him. Our name doesn’t just identify us—it declares our identity in Christ.
It started with a simple statement that I thought was forgettable… mentioned in an unplanned moment in a sermon, but since then we have described ourselves as “Misfits… fit together by God.” People who in many cases feel as though they don’t fit elsewhere, people who carry wounds, doubts, or broken stories.
And God has used that identity to draw in people in ways that has done nothing short of amaze me. People see that we’re different, but not different in a way that isn’t Christ-centered or following. Living Stones communicates this clearly:
Our Purpose.
Mission Statement:
“We are a people being built on Christ, the Living Stone—growing in faith, loving others well, and forming disciples who share the hope of the gospel wherever we go.”
What this says:
Why Our Tagline
Life. Hope. Renewal. Purpose.
Life:
Jesus doesn’t jut improve lives. He gives new life. This church exits so people can move from lost, surviving, and dying to truly living in Christ.
Hope.
Many people walk through our doors discouraged, hurt, uncertain, and even scared. We want to be a place where hope is restored. Not through hype, but through real help… real truth… and real grace.
Renewal.
We believe God is still in the business of restoring. Restoring broken hearts, broken families, broken faith, and broken purpose. No one is beyond the reach of God’s power to renew, and we desire to be a place that fosters renewal.
Purpose.
God doesn’t save people to leave them empty and as they were. We want to be a place where people come to discover who they are in Christ and how God can use their lives and the gifts He has given them for His glory.
Together, the tagline answers the question:
“What happens when living stones are gathered together and built up on Christ?”
Life is found.
Hope is restored.
Hearts are renewed.
Purpose is discovered.
Why This Matters for Our Future
Living Stones is not just a name for us. It’s a direction. A declaration that we belong to Jesus; the Living Stone and we follow above all else… His Way.
It communicates:
You may feel rejected by the world, but in Christ, here is a place that offers you belonging.
“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God, you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house…”
— 1 Peter 2:4–5
“…to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
The name Living Stones is rooted directly in Scripture.
Jesus is the Living Stone—rejected by the world, misunderstood, and cast aside—yet chosen by God and made the cornerstone of salvation. In this same passage, we are reminded that we are also like living stones: imperfect, unfinished, sometimes overlooked… yet being shaped and formed together into something God is building.
This reflects not only the culture we strive for, but more importantly, who Jesus says we are in Him. Our name doesn’t just identify us—it declares our identity in Christ.
It started with a simple statement that I thought was forgettable… mentioned in an unplanned moment in a sermon, but since then we have described ourselves as “Misfits… fit together by God.” People who in many cases feel as though they don’t fit elsewhere, people who carry wounds, doubts, or broken stories.
And God has used that identity to draw in people in ways that has done nothing short of amaze me. People see that we’re different, but not different in a way that isn’t Christ-centered or following. Living Stones communicates this clearly:
- You don’t have to be finished or polished to belong.
- You don’t have to earn your place. We have a seat ready for you.
- God is still shaping you, me, and our entire church – and that’s what He does in community.
Our Purpose.
Mission Statement:
“We are a people being built on Christ, the Living Stone—growing in faith, loving others well, and forming disciples who share the hope of the gospel wherever we go.”
What this says:
- Built on Christ – Jesus is our foundation, not tradition or performance.
- Forming disciples together – No spectators, no lone stones. Built for now and the future.
- Loving others well – Grace-centered community following a grace-centered Savior.
- Sharing the gospel – Outward focused, not inward comfort.
- We’re being built… we’re not finished products.
- We’re growing… not stalled or stunted.
- We’re learning… we don’t know it all.
- We want others to join us… God’s kingdom has a lot more room and we want to make space for them.
Why Our Tagline
Life. Hope. Renewal. Purpose.
Life:
Jesus doesn’t jut improve lives. He gives new life. This church exits so people can move from lost, surviving, and dying to truly living in Christ.
Hope.
Many people walk through our doors discouraged, hurt, uncertain, and even scared. We want to be a place where hope is restored. Not through hype, but through real help… real truth… and real grace.
Renewal.
We believe God is still in the business of restoring. Restoring broken hearts, broken families, broken faith, and broken purpose. No one is beyond the reach of God’s power to renew, and we desire to be a place that fosters renewal.
Purpose.
God doesn’t save people to leave them empty and as they were. We want to be a place where people come to discover who they are in Christ and how God can use their lives and the gifts He has given them for His glory.
Together, the tagline answers the question:
“What happens when living stones are gathered together and built up on Christ?”
Life is found.
Hope is restored.
Hearts are renewed.
Purpose is discovered.
Why This Matters for Our Future
Living Stones is not just a name for us. It’s a direction. A declaration that we belong to Jesus; the Living Stone and we follow above all else… His Way.
It communicates:
- Christ-centered faith.
- Radical grace in the example of the Father.
- Discipleship over performance with generational focus long beyond ourselves.
- Community over isolation.
- A church still and continuously growing, becoming daily what Jesus is building us to be.
You may feel rejected by the world, but in Christ, here is a place that offers you belonging.