Note: This church is in the planning stage. Contact us!
Our structure is based around small groups that meet weekly in homes called "cell groups". At first, this may sound similar to many churches that meet weekly in buildings on Sunday mornings, have various programs or "ministries" and have small groups that meet weekly or bi-weekly that are frequently also called cell groups or something similar. However, our cell groups fill a much more center-stage role in church life than those of most program-based churches. Churches can tend to become more like an organization with positions needing to be filled to keep the machinery running than like a living organism - the very body of our Lord. An abundance of other programs tends to choke the life out of the cell ministries that are added onto such churches. Thus, we endeavor to keep church life free of programs and "ministries" other than those directly tied to the cells. All church functions outside of congregational ministry are to be carried out in the context of the cell groups. The church grows as the cells multiply, but no matter how large we become, cells will always be the focus and very life of the church.
Our groups are mixed in age and gender. Families and singles are generally both welcome in all groups. Please see also our section on children. Groups generally meet in the group leader's home, although some may choose to meet in others' homes from time to time. The content of a group meeting can be summed up by saying that we attempt to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission - or loving God and one another - and bringing people to Christ and discipling them on to maturity. This translates to a meeting filled with worship, edification, encouragement and prayer for souls. We encourage bringing unbelievers to the groups as well and we seek ways to work together to take the gospel out into the streets. Discipleship is accomplished as Jesus modeled, by spending time with one another in small groups. Our church is relationship-oriented and each member ideally will be in relationship with some who are a few steps ahead of them in the faith and some who are a few steps behind. Through caring relationships and teaching by example, people are discipled and helped to mature. Follow this link for more on the actual content of our meetings.
The cell meetings also fulfill a function that we feel is often left out in today's churches. That is to be a place for spiritual gifts to be exercised by all. Even in spirit-filled churches where the Holy Spirit is invited to freely move, the actual use of the gifts is often limited to the pastor and possibly a few trusted members. Also, the gifts are frequently limited to the large congregational meetings. The scripture speaks of meetings where all who are in attendance are to "bring" some spiritual gift for the edification of others. How can this happen in churches where there is no forum for everyone to minister and be ministered to in this fashion? This is the true model of spiritual gifts working in the body of Christ! In our groups, you will see that all are encouraged to pray for and minister with spiritual gifts. It is not mandatory that anyone participate, but with the right opportunity many will be able to move into realms previously left untapped. We see the power and potential of today's church being slashed many-fold due to the lack of encouraging and teaching each person how to minister with the power of the Holy Spirit, themselves. This kind of full participation with the gifts is what the phrase "every member a minister" means in our church!
Who are our cell leaders? Our group leaders are ordinary members who have felt called to serve others in the body of Christ. They are facilitators of the cell meeting and help keep things moving and on track. Many group leaders (but not all) are also ordained into the role of a New Testament Deacon - those who were commissioned as special servants to the church. Their job then was to wait on tables and that is still the heart of a cell group leader. Group leaders look for opportunities to serve the needs of the group members. They also pray for and encourage members of the group with special care. Still others God will call to fill the role of a New Testament Pastor. Pastors will be a regular part of one particular cell group and will also spend time with other group leaders as well as visiting with other groups. Please see the section dealing with leader roles in our church.