Jesus spent an unorthodox amount of time wining and dining with societal outcasts, pouring his heart into his disciples, teaching the masses, healing the sick, and feeding the hungry. Simply put – Jesus loved people and he loved to be with people. He especially liked those folks whom his religious tradition had named as “unclean” or “sinful”.

At Eastside Church we also love to be with people of all kinds – the good, the bad, and the ugly. After all, the truth is, if you dig deep enough into any of our hearts, you will find plenty that makes us unclean and sinful. At Eastside, we don’t believe the Church is a museum for saints, we believe it is a hospital for broken and weary folks whose lives are in need of resurrection. You might simply think of us as a community of beggars telling others where the food is. At Eastside Church we are a band of ragamuffins seeking to know the grace and love of God so that our hearts and lives might be resurrected. We cherish being together in community, and we especially love Decatur and the many neighborhoods on the Eastside of Metro Atlanta. It is not uncommon to see us in the community enjoying a cup of coffee or a pint at our local establishments. It is our desire to be great neighbors and wonderful friends.

PRACTICING LIFE IN COMMUNITY

Community is essential to the life of Eastside Church. We believe that when we gather together God’s presence is among us in unique and profound ways. The scriptures tell us that when two or more are gathered in God’s name, God is in our midst.

We believe these occasions for gathering can be almost infinite in their manifestations. Whether it be over food and drink at Steinbeck’s or the Universal Joint talking theology, serving the refugee community in Clarkston, studying the scriptures in one of our Small Groups, enjoying a pickup game of soccer at the park, or in one of our worship services – we believe that when we gather together in God’s name, God shows up in unique and powerful ways.

As you peruse the various ways we commune together at Eastside Church, remember that we encourage all kinds of communing together in the name of our God. Be together. Enjoy each other. And invite the Divine to participate!