About Us
We are a thriving community of Jesus followers that unchurched people find irresistible.
Lead Pastor Tim Stanek
Tim Stanek is the lead minister at Southside Christian Church.
Our Vision
Thriving – Thriving means we are not content to simply survive. Our goal isn’t to be a church that merely has service every week and pays the bills. No, far from it! We want to be a church that is alive, active, moving, and growing! We are a people who are passionate and all-in on pursuing Jesus!
Community of Jesus Followers – Our core identity is found in the fact that we all are followers of Jesus. So we will do the things that the first communities of Jesus followers did in the NT. We will meet together for teaching and fellowship and prayer. We will be characterized by unity and love.
Unchurched People – There is a large percentage of our population who have had nothing to do with the church or have had experiences with the church in the past and have since rejected it. Our goal is to engage or re-engage those who have long since rejected Christianity.
Find Irresistible – We know that the sentiment of those outside the church toward religion is negative. It is our hope that our community, our love, and the way in which we “do church” are too attractive and tempting to be resisted.
Our Mission
Helping – It seems as if there are more barriers and hurdles than ever that keep people from finding God and knowing Him more. We want to eliminate as many of these obstacles as possible and make it easier for people to engage the God of the Bible.
People – God cares about every person – not just those who seem to have their act together. Because every person is loved and pursued by God, we will be a church that values people.
Find – We believe that there are many people who are completely lost and/or disinterested in God. Maybe they’ve had a bad experience with religion or church in the past, or they have hang-ups or misconceptions about who God is. As a church, we want to help people discover a God who they never expected!
God – This is really important, because there are many ideas out there about who God is. At Southside, we will wholeheartedly preach and teach about the God revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. A God who is full of both grace and truth.
Know – The only way you can truly get to know someone is by living with them and experiencing life with them. We think of knowing God as a relationship that is deepened as you experience the ups and downs of life with Him. Knowing involves listening and speaking, trusting and struggling. It is the development of a lifelong, loving relationship.
More – This is a word that is filled with both grace and hope. Grace in that we know we will never be perfect, so we trust in Jesus. And hope in that there is always something new to discover about our Heavenly Father! No one is a finished product. There will never be a time where you come to fully know God.
Our Values
#1 – Prayerful Dependence – The very act of praying communicates that Southside Christian Church isn’t about us, it’s all about Jesus. So we are a church that prays for the church – a church that invites the Lord to guide us, give us wisdom and courage as we move forward as a church. We are a church that prays.
#2 – Relationally Connected – Loneliness is an epidemic in our world. Couple that with the fact that we whole-heartedly believe that the Jesus-following life is best lived together – we value true, deep, meaningful relationships. We are a church that is connected.
#3 – Selflessly Generous – Our culture has taught us to be served. Any time we walk into a business or restaurant, we’re already writing the “yelp” review in our heads. It is tempting to bring that attitude into the church. Instead, we are a church that asks “How can I serve or give?” rather than “What can I get?” We are selfless.
#4 – Unashamedly Authentic – It is interesting that one of the only prerequisites for following Jesus is to admit that you’re a sinner and are far from perfect. Yet, in the context of the church, we feel the need to hide that broken part of ourselves and pretend that we’re perfect. We are a church where you can be you – and find love and encouragement in the midst of your brokenness.
#5 – Full of Joy – Mike Yaconelli once wrote this: “Just because we believe that gospel is a life-and-death matter doesn’t mean we have to act as if we’re dead.” We agree. We are a church that laughs, that jokes, and that has fun. After all, haven’t we been given “good news?”
What We Believe
We believe in one eternal God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-existing in perfect community and harmony.
We believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word.
We believe that the Church of Jesus Christ consists of all Christians everywhere, and is organized into local assemblies, called churches.