Our vision is an ongoing invitation that pulls us forward–and our values are our distinctives that bind us together as a community pursuing that vision every day.
Christians have long believed that human beings were created by God and for God, and any life that we create for ourselves apart from him is not truly life–therefore, we are restless.
Deep down, we long to know and be known by our Creator and Redeemer, the One for whom we were made. The vision of Res Pres is that we would be a community of people who are seeking and finding that which is truly life, which comes to us through the gospel–literally, the “good news”–of Jesus Christ.
Finding life in the gospel inevitably leads us to love in multiple dimensions: vertically, in our relationship to God, and horizontally, in our relationships with others. Our vision is for a people who are known first and foremost by our love–for God, our neighbors, and our city–as evidence of the gospel’s work in us.
God is the one who sets the agenda for his Church. We are a blessed community who has been called to be a blessing to the world (Gen. 12:1-3). Our vision is for the city of Madison to rejoice that Res Pres exists because we are seeking to bless our city in deep and profound ways.
Presence: God is uniquely present in the gathered worship of the church (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5).
Liturgy: Gathered worship is not only expression and information, but formation. We are story-formed people, and historic worship practices have proven effective to shape the people of God around the story of God (Col. 3:16).
Sabbath: In our increasingly busy lives, we long to recover the heart of Sabbath–resting from our work and resting in the work of Jesus on our behalf. We do this in community with others in the church (Gen. 2:1-3; Mark 2:27-28; Heb. 4:9-10).
Hospitality: The church should be a place of welcome where one can belong before he/she believes, and a safe place to explore the Christian faith (Rom. 15:7; 1 Pet. 4:9; 1 Cor. 14:24-25).
Feasting: Even in the midst of sorrow, the Bible pictures the world to come as a feast. In anticipation of that time, we throw parties and regularly eat, drink, and celebrate together with joy (Isa. 25:6-9; Luke 15:11-32; Rev. 19:6-9).
Neighborhood: Place is important, and neighborhood-based community groups allow us to be good neighbors that love and serve those God has placed around us (Matt. 22:34-40).
Incarnation: Following Christ, we seek to be in the world, not of the world, and for the life of the world at the same time (Heb. 2:14-18; John 17:14-19).
Mission: Our calling is to join God in his mission in the world. We are blessed to be a blessing to others, with our mission beginning locally in Madison (Gen. 12:1-3; Psa. 67).
Vocation: The primary avenue through which we bless others is our vocations–the holy callings that unleash our unique gifts for the good of others (1 Pet. 4:10; Col. 3:23-24).
Our team is here to pastor, equip, and send you out as we seek the common good of our city.
Our StaffLearn about our story and how we came to exist as a church for urban and university Madison.
Our History
