About St. Mary by the Sea
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People often visit churches based on their preferences (similar taste in music or style of teaching), but they stay at a church because of its missional principles. Here at St. Mary by the Sea, we refer to these principles as our DNA Statements. These statements paint the picture of the kind of values and church we are striving to be, and prayerfully, you will see them demonstrated through our mission, vision, and ministry at every level of St. Mary by the Sea at St. Augustine. We are a mission-driven church. Everything we do is to help people find and follow God. We are a kingdom-first church. We are here to build God's kingdom, first and foremost. We are an everyone's welcome church. St. Mary by the Sea, St. Augustine, Florida is a place where you can belong before you believe. We are a better together church. Life was never meant to be lived alone. An authentic biblical community is experienced best when you get connected. We are an all in church. We are a church built on the sacrifices of many, not the talents of a few. We are a nobody's perfect church. God meets us right where we are at and loves us enough never to leave us there. We create safe places for people to process their faith with grace and truth. We are a generous church. We strive to always go beyond the minimum. We are a life-giving church.We will be known more for what we are for than what we are against. We are a next steps church. No matter where you were at in your spiritual journey, God has the right next step for you! We are a gospel-driven church. We will lift high and proclaim the name of Jesus. The only name by which we are saved, rescued, and redeemed.
We believe that the goal of the faith community is not to make people more religious; instead, we want to help people learn to love God more and therefore become more fully human. At St. Mary by the Sea, we believe that we are called to reach out to our neighbors. We want to do this both locally and globally, serving them in ways that make a difference.
About Repenting: We believe that one receives Jesus Christ's merits by repenting of sin, believing in the good news of His death and resurrection, and confessing Him as Lord and Savior. As a sign of this salvation, every professing believer is to be baptized by immersion. We believe that the entire salvation experience consists of regeneration, justification, sanctification, and future glorification. We believe that every Christian is called to proclaim this good news to the nations.
About Generosity: Give it away - You can give without living, but you can't love without giving. 'The son of God... loved me and gave himself for me.' - Galatians 2:20