What is Alpha?

Alpha gives everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once a week for about 8 weeks, including a one-day getaway.

Sessions begin with a talk which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion in small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their thoughts and ask questions. People usually stay in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment. Typically each session will run 2 hours in length.

Who Is Alpha For?

Alpha is for anyone and people attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes life. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course.

Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally or even regularly but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome!

Our next course is running in Tribeca on Wednesday nights from June 20th- August 15th (excluding July 4th). 7:30pm-9:30pm.

For more information email [email protected] or to register click here

Our Lead Pastor Paul Andrew is kicking off a new teaching series this Sunday simply called “His House”.

Through the month of June we will be reminded of the beauty, the heartbeat and the purpose of God’s House.

Don’t miss a Sunday as we stir up our vision and passion for His House.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
Ps92:12-13 NIV

We’re launching a new teaching series on Sundays throughout October called “It’s Time For Your Breakthrough“.

Our God is referred to in the Bible as “the God of the breakthrough” (2Sam5:20 NKJV).

Our prayer is that as we teach this month about the principles of breakthrough, that individuals in our church would experience personal breakthroughs, and that we as a church would take new ground together.

Don’t miss a week! Paul, Andi & Sebastian will be teaching at both Tribeca and Union Square communities across the series.

Andi’s message from this past Sunday was on The Spirit-Led Life, based on the book of Galatians. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul urges the people to live by the Spirit rather than to live by the Law. He spoke of how living by the Law results in rules and regulations, which are of the flesh, whereas living in the Spirit is where freedom is found.

“For every single one of us, there is a WAR going on between your Spirit and your flesh…it is a constant practice to live a Spirit-Led life because if you are not conscience of it, the flesh easily takes over. But we have to remember: we are Spirit beings encased in flesh.” - Andi

Andi went on to describe the two ways we can live a Spirit-Led life - ways that are simple yet can be difficult to actually practice - allow margin in your life and kill excuses.

These are things that require discipline and practice on our part, especially living here in New York. We’re constantly in a cycle of sleeping-in as late as possible, spending all day at work, fitting time in with friends, and by the time we get home our free time is spent on the computer or in front of the TV.

“So often we leave our leftovers for God, if any…” - Andi

Andi suggested writing down these excuses that keep us from spending time with God, then crossing a line through them and writing solutions to them. When we begin to allow margin and stop making excuses, we might be surprised at what the Spirit begins to do in our lives!

Finally, Andi highlighted three of the many things that can happen when you begin leading a Spirit-Led life.

1) When you live the Spirit-Led life…you don’t live to please the crowd.

This one ties in to Paul’s message on the Authentic Life. Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

“What things do we do today in the name of Christianity to be in the ‘in crowd?’ Because if you have faith in Christ, you’re automatically in the ‘in crowd.’” - Andi

The Spirit-Led life is all about freedom - we are no longer bound by what others’ say or think of us, rather we are focused on the audience of one…God.

2) When you live the Spirit-Led life…you will produce the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

Andi used the illustration of organic versus greenhouse-raised fruit. Sometimes we’ll bite into the juiciest, most delicious-looking of strawberries, only to find them white and flavorless on the inside. But an organically-grown strawberry - one that grew slowly, was fertilized, and had just the perfect amount of sunlight and darkness throughout the process - that’s what real fruit is made of.

“I don’t want to be a flash-ripened greenhouse strawberry…I want to be an organic, real-deal strawberry.” - Andi

3) When you live the Spirit-Led life…you will live knowing you are a Child of God.

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28

When you walk in the freedom of a Spirit-Led life, there’s no question of who you belong to. No matter what our earthly view of a father might look like, there is nothing that can separate us from God’s unconditional love.

“The Spirit-Led life will lead you straight into the arms of a loving father.” - Andi

To hear Andi’s full message on The Spirit-Led Life, check out the podcast - available now!

Be original.

Be genuine.

Be trustworthy.

Those are characteristics that I’m sure mostly all of us hope to hold in our own lives. But…do we? How? And why?

This past Sunday, Paul taught a message on “An Authentic Life. ” It was a message that was both challenging and encouraging to those of us hoping to practice the authentic life Christ has called us to lead.

Paul’s definition of authenticity is one that is threefold.

1) Be you – Original.

The Bible tells us that God sees us and created us each as individuals – completely unique in our being.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
– Psalm 139: 14-16

If this is how God sees us, we must remember to live life as an original and ask ourselves, what percentage of my life is counterfeit? If God created us to look, act, and be exactly who we are, then the world must need the most true and original versions of us.

“So often there are times when I think, I wish I was like this person or I wish I was talented in this area. I have to stop and realize that I was given great talents and can do great things…God created me with a purpose on this earth and the talents He has given me are those that I am to use to fulfill that purpose.” - Janelle Ortiz, Jersey City

2) Be real – Genuine.

Paul highlighted how in the Bible Jesus often rebuked hypocrites – those who said one thing but did the other. Instead, it’s important to say what you mean and mean what you say. Live the life you claim to live, and don’t waste energy on pointing out the flaws in others.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” – Matthew 7: 1-3

Paul illustrated the importance of being genuine by using the example of David. David made spectacular mistakes, yet he was genuine in his love for God, genuine in his zeal for God’s people.

Being genuine doesn’t mean you’re perfect, but it does require honesty and humility.

3) Be consistent – Trustworthy.

“Consistency bears fruit, builds trust, and reproduces authentic things in others.”

It’s one thing to be original and genuine, but it’s another thing to live out those aspects of authenticity day after day. It’s this consistency that God continually calls us to practice and promises His rewards in return.

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” – 2 Timothy 1:13-14

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:8-9

Paul closed the message by highlighting how these characteristics of authenticity are not just to be applied to our individual lives, but also to our church community as a whole. If we are to reach this city – this world – it’s important that we practice this originality, genuineness, and trustworthiness as Christ did and has called us to emulate.

For the full message, be sure to check out “The Authentic Life” Podcast here!

What does an authentic life mean to you?
In what ways do you think we as Christians can use authentic lives to reach those who don’t know Christ?

(image source)

On Easter Sunday we launched a brand new teaching series called “Jesus Is…”

14 people asked Jesus into their heart on the first Sunday of the series, and we’re praying it helps connect many more to Him before it’s done.

For more information about our services just click here, and you can subscribe to our podcast to get all the latest Sunday messages.

Next Sunday March 13th we’re launching a new three week series called “Modern Family” at Liberty Church.

We’re also shifting our service half an hour later starting that morning- 10.30am Guest Lounge, and 11.00am Service.

What is the “modern family”? Is it Dad, Mom & two kids living the American dream?

More than ever people seem to be searching for real “family”, especially here in New York City. Liberty Church started hosting Family Dinners on Sunday nights and we were inundated with as many as 40 people in our apartment. Why? What was family meant to be, what has it become, and what is God saying to us all about family in the 21st century?

All the details about times & location are here

You’d be very welcome to join us this week (and to bring friends)

Hope you can make it.
Paul & Andi

This Sunday we’re launching a new three week series called “Hope” at Liberty Church.

The truth is that people need hope.

Maybe you could use an uplifting morning. Maybe you know someone whose hope has been under attack lately. Or maybe you’ve been meaning to get along to church some time.

Andi will kick off the series this Sunday, then Paul is speaking next week, and we’ve got Rachel Hickson from the UK joining us as our guest speaker on Mar 6th.

All the details about times & location are here

You’d be very welcome to join us this week (and to bring friends)

Hope to see you there.
Paul & Andi