Church of Portland

I'm sure you know that Erik and I have been looking for a new church since the Helix dissolved. We've had the opportunity to visit many amazing places and have got to know many amazing people. I wish we could just go to church with them all!

I remember the first Sunday we went to the Helix some 4 or 5 years ago, Nathan was preaching a sermon called "Why can't we all get along?" I remember even then thinking how true and poignant a question that was. Why can't we all get along? Or more pointedly, why are we all so divided?

I've seen some amazing talent, wonderful resource, support, thoughts, ideas, people... all in different places and sometimes struggling in spite of God's gifts to them. Why do we struggle alone when there is a pool of believers in Portland so big we could do so much more? We are little bodies separate but just think if those bodies came together to be The Body.

I see this opportunity to share our needs and our wealth. Cross pollinate so there is strength and support for the Kingdom to do it's work. Maybe monthly group meetings. Maybe weekly classes and discussions. Maybe just a network. You guys are teaching a class my guys need. We have a service opportunity to get your folks involved. I would love to be a part of that mission. I think there are others who would be interested in that too.

What I see as the major hindrance is belief. In my understanding most churches divide and become exclusive over conflicting beliefs. This is especially sad as it is clear from the Word that this isn't God's desire for the church. Why do we allow the enemy to separate us? A house divided against itself will stand.... right? However, it does happen and we all know there are some places we would rather go verses others based on belief.

If this Church of Portland were to exist we would really have to decide on the bedrock points of belief that would be necessary to connect. Everything else would be up to the individual church but not the focus on C.o.P.

So, what are the bedrock points? I think they are something like this:
1 God in 3 persons: Father, Son, Spirit (Trinity)
Man is separated from God (Sin)
Christ died to reunite us with God (Justification)
The Spirit works within us to make us like Jesus (Sanctification)
We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind & strength (Worship)
We are to love our neighbor as our self (Humility)
Church & Bible = Good

Am I missing anything? I mean there are other important bits like prayer, grace, baptism, etc.... but these are the biggies.... right?

With these things in mind we work on getting people together. Maybe monthly or every-other-month at first. Just to start discussions and networking. Then we start to match needs to support. We start helping people find other churches with classes, leaders with support networks, missions trips could combine to add strength, etc. We could have discussion groups for new believers. We could get to know each other to help people find churches where they could serve if they are searching. We could go to separate churches but still connect and pray as a larger body. We could become and actual Church of Portland.

What do you think of this and would you be interested in this type of endeavor?