LIVE CONNECTED
Living Connected with God
Our goal as your church/pastors is to lead you into an
We want to lead you and raise you up to live on mission with Jesus, to show you what it means to live in faith. No one already here is perfect, and no one coming in is expected to be perfect. We just believe that learning each day how to live a life surrendered to Jesus is the most important thing we can do.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” —James 5:16
Having an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ means understanding the way Jesus lived and knowing the fundamentals of our
THE BIBLE
We are a biblical church. The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about daily living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any form of error (including scientific and historical.)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” —2 Timothy 3:16
SALVATION
Salvation comes by faith in the person of Jesus Christ and is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty of death. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
(Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:2; Gal 3:26; Rom 5:1, 10:9-10)
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit lives in the life of every believer. He empowers us. He’s our best friend. When a person begins a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to live inside you at the moment of salvation. At Allison Park Church, we also believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a biblical experience that follows salvation. This baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer who asks God for it.
*(Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 10:44-46; Gal 3:14-15) *
DIVINE HEALING
God is a God of healing and of miracles. We believe divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel, provided to us through Jesus’ death on the cross. God’s miracle power for healing is freely given to us as we pray in faith and still active in the world today, a privilege of all believers.
(Isaiah 53:4,5; Matt 8:16,17; James 5:14-16)
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
Jesus is going to return again, as He foretold before His ascension. The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel, and the establishment of universal peace.
(Matt 24:27; Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7, Rev 20:1-6)
These beliefs are the foundation of Christianity and they inform all of our decision-making as followers of Jesus. Living in accordance with these beliefs helps us to live a
We also encourage you to visit the “OUR BELIEFS” section of the Appendix to read Allison Park Church’s full doctrinal statement of our beliefs.
Living in a Godly way within the church
We want to be welcoming to
We want to practice grace, not condemnation. It’s not our job to judge an unbeliever when they come through the doors of the church. Our job is to share Jesus with them and help encourage them to let Jesus help them change their lives.
We won’t compromise on the
There are many ways that Jesus teaches us about living in a godly way - selflessness, servanthood, humility, sexual purity before and after marriage, and more. As your pastors, we want to shephard you away from lifestyles that could harm you and your relationship with God, and steer you toward a lasting and close relationship with Him.
“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” —Ephesians 4:24-25
Living Connected with Others
In addition to living connected with God, it’s important and in our DNA to live connected with others.
You and I were created for
God’s intention for us was to do life together, not alone. God Himself is relational, and we are created in His image and likeness.
At Allison Park Church, we want you to join together in a meaningful community of people. And community doesn’t happen in the rows at church on a Sunday morning. Community happens in circles.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We believe in Living Connected because:
We need someone to
We need someone to
We need someone to
Likewise -
HAVE QUESTIONS? JOIN ALPHA!
Alpha is a space to
At Allison Park Church, we want everyone to join an Alpha group. Alpha is a series of content intended on teaching and unifying us on who Jesus is, why He died for us, and why it’s so important today to read the Bible, pray over ourselves and others, and resist evil in the world. Alpha groups run multiple times a year at various campuses. Check www.alphapittsburgh.com for details.
Join a Life Group
We want everyone on our church connected to a
Life groups are key in the church for forming personal, lasting relationships with others. We strive to make a variety of groups available at each of our campuses, including groups for men and women, groups for couples, for young adults, etc.
What are the advantages to being a part of a life group?
You have a place where you can
When we do life together, our problems become smaller as God uses others to bring support and encouragement into our lives. Life groups become a place others know more than your name - they care about what’s happening in your life and want to support you on your spiritual journey.
You have a place where you can
We are all created with a plan and a purpose, to make a difference. Life groups give you the opportunity to grow with others, becoming more like Jesus and realizing your potential.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” —Provers 27:17
How does it work?
Life Groups can happen
Your life group can meet in homes, coffee shops, or restaurants or online through Zoom, Google Hangouts, or other online platforms! The important thing is that you’re meeting on a consistent basis with each other, learning from and supporting one another.
You can also take advantage of the campus space and join a group at the church, where a pastoral team will be on staff and childcare will be provided by our children’s ministry.
*During the Covid-19 pandemic, check with your campus staff as to whether your campus is open and staffed for full capacity and childcare.
We
Whether you’re joining a group or you are interested in hosting one, we make it easy for groups to find content to learn from and discuss. Many times throughout the year, discussion guides will be available based on Pastor Jeff’s sermon series’. We also partner with RightNow Media, and can give recommendations on group studies through that platform.
Our goal is that everyone connected to Allison Park Church is involved in a life group at their campus. Each campus is staffed with a Life Group Coordinator, who together with your Campus Pastor, can help find the right group for you.
LIVE CONNECTED MONTHS (February, June, and October)
During these months, we begin brand new Life Group material, with the intention of onboarding people who are new to the church and who haven’t yet been connected.
Map of Life Group Seasons:
February - April
- Winter / Spring (1st Life Group Season)
- 6 - 8 Weeks
June - July
- Summer (2nd Life Group Season)
- 6 weeks
October - November
- Fall (3rd Life Group Season)
- 6 Weeks