


The Jesus Way is built on seven simple practices modeled in the life of Jesus, helping us relate to others with both conviction and compassion. In a divided world, it invites us into a better way of engaging people across our differences. It shapes us into people who hold our beliefs with humility, extend grace freely, and stay connected even when we don’t agree.
1. Engage at the Level of Story: Move from arguments to experiences. Listen first, then seek to understand.
2. Practice Kindness: Kindness is strength controlled. Choose compassion in action over contemptuous tones.
3. Radical Empathy: Seek to understand another's journey, emotions, and heart. Empathy is not agreement.
4. Break the Power of Labels: Replace “them” with names and stories. See the beloved person.
5. Courageous Integrity: Critique your own tribe and hold them accountable, while actively looking for what is good, admirable, or true in those you disagree with.
6. Redemptive Forgiveness: Release resentment. Forgive to enable healing, even when reconciliation isn’t possible.
7. Life-Changing Generosity: Freely and sacrificially give time, presence, and resources—especially across differences.

The Jesus Way Groups are discussion groups where we process and practice the way of Jesus. In these safe spaces, we listen, learn, and grow together to reflect His love and build bridges across our differences. Let’s walk out the Jesus Way—together!
Fundamentally, the Jesus Way is a set of practices modeled in the life of Jesus that empower us to hold deep conviction without losing compassion for those who may disagree with us. It offers a path beyond polarization—not by erasing differences, but by transforming how we engage them.
Although the language may feel new, the Jesus Way actually brings together spiritual principles and practices that Pastor Hurmon has been teaching for many years. This is not a new direction, but a more intentional naming and alignment of the formation journey NBCC has been on for more than a decade. The Jesus Way is how we follow Jesus together—practicing our faith relationally, across differences, and in everyday life.
Pastor Hurmon has identified seven “Jesus Way” practices in a book he has written: America’s Last Best Hope: Building Bridges Across Our Differences — The Jesus Way. The book is expected to be published within the next year. In the meantime, the practices of the Jesus Way will be NBCC’s focus for formation and discipleship throughout 2026.
We live in a time of increasing polarization where disagreement often leads to division. As followers of Jesus, we believe there is a better way. These practices help us engage differences faithfully, reflecting the unity and diversity that God has already created within our church community.
The Jesus Way Practices are interpersonal habits modeled in the life of Jesus that help people engage differences in healthy and Christlike ways. These practices form people who can hold deep convictions while also extending deep compassion.
We're asking the entire community to consider participating in one of the following ways:
Sign up to participate in an open Jesus Way Groups listed on our webpage at or at one of our campuses in San Jose, Redwood City or Online. We will watch the video teaching together as a large group and then break down into small groups for discussion.
We encourage groups to consider meeting weekly during The Jesus Way, as the journey is designed to build momentum through consistent rhythms and conversation.
If meeting weekly isn’t feasible for your group’s schedule, that’s okay. You can move through the content at a pace that works best for you—we believe it’s worth taking the time to engage it meaningfully rather than feeling pressure to keep up.
No problem. You can: