Radical Faithfulness
At First Congregational Church, we are committed to being radically faithful to the Bible—not just in word, but in practice. That means we refuse to compromise when it comes to the core teachings of Scripture. But true faithfulness doesn’t mean forcing the Bible to say what we already want to hear. It means allowing the text to shape us—even when it challenges us, corrects us, or leads us away from comfort.
Too often, Scripture is misused to justify greed, power, and self-preservation. When that happens, the Bible becomes a tool of compromise, not conviction. The Bible does not support a grasp for religious power or dominance. Jesus did not call his followers to rule over others but to serve. He said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” That call—central to the gospel—is one of self-giving love, not self-defense; of open- hearted hospitality, not exclusion; of humility, not control.
To be truly faithful to the Bible, we must resist the temptation to read it through the lens of modern individualism, cultural superiority, or religious nationalism. Scripture calls us to love even our enemies and to extend grace beyond our own boundaries. The church is called to be a people who welcome all without exclusion—including those of other religious convictions—because Christ's love knows no limits.
This means being a church that looks like Jesus: loving without conditions, welcoming the stranger, feeding the hungry, and embracing diversity—not as a threat, but as a gift. We are not interested in weaponizing the Bible to win arguments or maintain control. We are interested in being shaped by it—into the likeness of Christ.
Radical faithfulness leads to radical participation. We invite you to take part in the ministries God is doing in and through our church family. The Ramona Youth Collaborative—a partnership of four local churches working to support and nurture youth in our community—launches August 3rd. On August 8th, we’ll host our monthly Free Farmers Market, providing fresh produce to anyone in need. And through our WISE initiative—becoming Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged for mental health—we’re striving to be a safe, stigma-free church where every person can belong and be supported. Join us. There is a place for you in this work.
