Cedar Ridge Community Church

We are a diverse group of people in the Baltimore/Washington area who simply believe a better world is possible and are doing all we can to make that real, both for us and those around us. We are followers of Jesus of Nazareth, and we passionately believe that God loves everyone with no exceptions. Although we are not a very “religious” community, we take our faith very seriously. We don’t think spirituality should be pushy or forced, and we are honest about our doubts and struggles. So we create space for everyone to ask questions, to wrestle with the bigger issues of life, and to go at their own pace.

Our vision is what we dare to imagine our future could be like if we passionately and seriously pursue our mission of following Jesus together as his disciples. The words here are meant to paint a picture of what we imagine this to look like, and we invite you to join us as we live out our vision in everyday life:

Imagine a community that dares to dream of heaven on earth; a community where everyone is accepted and respected and their journey cherished, regardless of their background, beliefs or place in society; where everyone looks out for the concerns of others and no one is alone. Imagine a community of peace and safety where it’s possible to shelter from the frenzied pace of life, in order to slow down and explore the mystery and meaning of our existence; where we can take time to address the roots of our anxieties and pain; a place of hope where we can find help and healing and the power to change, no matter how desperate our situation. Imagine a community of people devoted to following Jesus together, learning to live like him and helping one another grow in their relationship with God; where we are gradually transformed to become better people: better friends, better family members, better workers, better neighbors; becoming people who enjoy life to the full and who can also deal with adversity well, learning to grow through failure and suffering. Imagine that community scattered throughout the region around Washington, Baltimore and beyond working as agents of love, peace and hope wherever they are; serving our neighbors, caring for the poor, helping the oppressed. Imagine a community of people who live simply and ethically, who share their land and resources with their neighbors; a community that treasures the Earth and reaches out beyond global, cultural and political barriers to offer friendship and practical support.

Imagine a community of people who make the world a better place.

There are three core ways in which we do this — each at our own pace, and each in our own unique way.

1. Growth: Personal transformation happens both by working on it together and privately on our own.

2. Community: We intentionally build friendships with each other, offering support through difficult times and enjoying life together. We don’t want anyone to feel alone on this journey because we all need acceptance, care and help along the way.

3. Servanthood: We put a lot of effort into serving the world around us in simple and practical ways. We do this whenever and wherever we can, sometimes working together and sometimes on our own.