What Does It Mean to Be Part of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church?
At St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, being part of our community means living as disciples of Jesus Christ. At its core, discipleship is about being transformed by God’s love and becoming the person God created you to be. It’s about living with intention and purpose, making a real difference in the world around you.
While we strive to build a strong, faith-filled community within our church, we also recognize that the majority of our lives are lived beyond these walls—in our homes, at work, in schools, and throughout our neighborhoods. That’s why our vision of discipleship isn’t limited to Sunday mornings. We live our discipleship daily. We invite every disciple of St. Mark’s to embrace and live out their faith daily through what we call the Marks of Discipleship.
A resource that we have used is Michael Foss’s Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church to shift from a focus on membership to a focus on discipleship. At St. Mark’s, we are committed to making that transformation, centering our life together around God’s Word and going into the world in Jesus’ name to make an impact.
The Six Marks of Discipleship
Pray Daily
Prayer is at the heart of a growing relationship with the Holy Spirit. It’s in prayer that we share our deepest hopes and concerns, and it’s also where we listen for God’s guidance. At St. Mark’s, we encourage everyone to practice prayer daily—whether at home, with loved ones, in worship, or in fellowship with other believers.
Worship Weekly
Worship is the cornerstone of our life together. Gathering weekly to worship strengthens our connection to God and to each other. In worship, we offer praise, give thanks, lift up prayers, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Your presence matters—not just for your spiritual growth, but for the encouragement and support of the entire community.
Read Daily
The Bible is the foundation to our faith and our identity as disciples. God’s Word feeds and challenges us to grow in our walk with Christ. Whether through personal devotions, group Bible studies, or Sunday readings, engaging with Scripture daily opens our hearts and minds to transformation. There are many tools available—reading plans, devotionals, and study groups—to help you stay connected to the Word.
Serve in Ministry
Faith comes alive through service. At St. Mark’s, we believe each person is called to serve—both within the church and in the wider community. There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering in worship and education ministries to caring for the church property. But our calling extends beyond our church walls—into our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Every place we go becomes a mission field. See our outreach page for more information regarding our local, domestic, and global outreach efforts.
Give Generously
Everything we have, our time, our talents, our treasures, is a gift from God. One of the most powerful ways we express gratitude is by sharing these gifts. At St. Mark’s, we encourage members to serve regularly with their time, talents, and treasures. Simply, this can be through giving offering, volunteering at worship, or participating in one of our many outreach opportunities and ministries.
Cultivate Spiritual Friendships
Discipleship isn’t meant to be a solo journey. The Christian life can be challenging, and we need one another for support, encouragement, and accountability. At St. Mark’s, we hope every member finds a small group or faith community where spiritual friendships can grow. Whether it’s through Bible study, fellowship, or simply sharing life together, these relationships strengthen us in our daily walk with Christ.
Making a Difference
At St. Mark’s, our prayer is that your life as a disciple will be rooted in love, shaped by faith, and lived with purpose. As we continue to grow together, may we each be transformed by God’s Word and sent out into the world in Jesus’ name—to love, to serve, and to make a difference.