The community of the Los Altos United Methodist Church is
Touching heaven, changing earth with head, heart, and hands
We do this by faithfully committing to and intentionally growing in our
Five Practices of Discipleship:
Click on the color-coded sections of the diagram above to learn more about the different practices.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
(Radical: outside the normal; exceeds expectations; goes the second mile)
• Together as a community of faith we desire to demonstrate an active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers and to help newcomers to find a spiritual home and discover the richness of life in Christ.
• Individually as persons of faith we seek to say Yes to God, to invite God into our hearts, to make space for God in our lives, to accept God’s love and acceptance of us and offer it to others.
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
(Extravagant: exceed all expectations and extend to unexpected measures)
• Together as a community of faith we desire to provide ministries that address our spiritual need to give in ways that exceed expectations; to thrive by making willing sacrifices and giving joyously out of love for God and neighbor.
• Individually as persons of faith we seek to offer our material resources in a way that transforms lives, relieves suffering, enlarges the soul, and sustains the spirit.
BOLD SERVICE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
(Bold: beyond our comfort zone, exposing us to people, situations, and needs we would not ordinarily encounter)
• Together as a community of faith we desire to offer endless opportunities for people to make a difference in the lives of others through volunteer service projects, mission initiatives, and advocating for long-term solutions.
• Individually as persons of faith we seek to offer ourselves, our gifts, abilities, and passions, in purposeful service to others in need; to make a positive difference even at significant personal cost and inconvenience.
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
(Passionate: intense desire, an ardent spirit, heightened importance)
• Together as a community of faith we desire to deliberately seek to encounter God in Christ, transform lives, heal wounded souls, renew hope, and bind people to one another.
• Individually as persons of faith we seek to learn to love God in return, listen to God, allow God to shape our hearts and minds through prayer, personal devotion, and community worship.
DEEPENING FAITH
(Deepening: deliberate effort, purposeful action, and high priority)
• Together as a community of faith we desire to offer opportunities to learn in community for people at all stages of faith; to offer ministries that help people grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God.
• Individually as persons of faith we seek to do the soul work that connects us to others and positions us to grow in grace and mature in Christ; to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our own spiritual maturation.
