WHO ARE WE?

Church in the Cliff is a post-modern, emergent Baptist church in Oak Cliff, TX.

OUR SERVICES ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • Questions and Dialogue
  • Justice-Making
  • Food and Conversation
  • Open Communion
  • Inclusive Language

PROGRESSIVE.

Isaiah asks us to look and see the new thing that God is doing. At Church in the Cliff, we want to find the places God is at work and ask how we can participate. This church began with a desire to include women fully in the life of the church and we have always asked: “What is next?”

CREATIVE.

In the early history of Church in the Cliff, we met in theaters and galleries. Our community includes musicians, artists, playwrights, actors, and writers. We bring that creativity and imagination to everything that we do, whether writing our own hymns or hosting showcases for local musicians.

INCLUSIVE.

Being inclusive is not merely a favor to those on the margins, tolerance for those who differ from us, or even a facile commitment to “love one another.” Rather, the diversity of our community feeds our souls and our minds. If we allow the margins to teach the center, the margins expand. Our community began with a desire to allow women full participation in the life of the church and we have continued to be blessed by everyone who shows up.

BAPTIST.

Wait, what? Yes, we are progressive Baptists. At the heart of Baptist life is freedom: freedom to read and interpret Scripture; freedom to negotiate our own relationships with God; freedom to determine our own doctrine and polity, to run our church as we see fit; and freedom of the church from the state and the state from the church. This puts us in a position to be progressive, creative, and inclusive.

LEADERSHIP.

SCOTT SHIRLEY

Pastor

ASHLEY PENA

Board Member, Treasurer

COURTNEY COX

Board Member, Clerk

MARGARET JONES

Board Member, Moderator

JOSH KUMLER

Board Member, Trustee

CLARISSA

Board Member, Trustee

 
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MEET THE ORGANIZATIONS WE’RE CONNECTED TO

ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS

Church in the Cliff is part of the Alliance of Baptists.

The Alliance of Baptists began in 1987 as a prophetic voice in Baptist life in the southern U.S. Today, we are a faith community comprised of laity and clergy, people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, geographical locations, theological beliefs, and ministry practices. We are about 4,500 individual members, roughly 140 congregations, with 36 ministry partners knit together by love for one another and God, combining progressive inquiry, contemplative prayer and prophetic action to bring about justice and healing in a changing world. 
The founders of the Alliance drafted a covenant that has been our guidepost for 33 years. Ten years later our mission was added giving shape to our emerging witness. Grounded by the covenant and mission, we have advanced in our ecumenical and interfaith relationships, and in the full inclusion of women and the LGBTQ community in the life and ministry of the church. Our covenant and mission have served as the foundation for our global partnerships, as well as our ecumenical relationships which amplify our prophetic voice for justice and love.