Our Church

I wrote up the following after a request on the MOMYS board (Mothers of Many Young Siblings) to share about our churches. I though some of you might also be interested.

How would you describe your church?

Well we just planted a church, so it’s a little different than what most people might expect. We’re small, meet in homes and are just enjoying building one another up.

Music style?

MrPages and his guitar. We sing everything that comes to mind from classical to acapella to country to contemporary. Everyone is open to make requests.

Teaching style?

We read through the chapter or section we are studying (currently John). Each person who can read, reads a verse or two. We stop whenever it feels right and discuss. Usually a few adults have done some extra research over the week and will share their insights. It is really encouraging and refreshing and challenging. A few times we’ve watched a DVD or listened to a more formal sermon.

Size?

Just two families right now, but we’ve had a few others show some interest.

Church building or someone’s home?

We rotate between two homes - two weeks in one place and two weeks in another.

How long have you been there?

Six months meeting weekly on Sundays, but before that we met every three weeks for about six months on Saturdays trying to discern the will of the Holy Spirit.

Where did you go previous to this one? What was your reason for leaving?

We went to a larger urban church, but really felt the need to look at early church models and try to emulate them.

How often do you get together with people from church?

Every Sunday and usually one other time during the week. We also try to connect by phone or email throughout the week.

What time does your service start? End?

We try to arrive between 10 and 10:30 and start the morning with a potluck brunch together. Then we relax after the meal, clean up a bit, and let the kids run. Sometime in the early afternoon we all join together to sing, read scripture, discuss, pray and sing some more. Then we usually spend the rest of the afternoon doing something together. We’ve been for walks, played scrabble, had a family baseball game, gone to zoo, or just sat around and talked. (Yesterday the men caught a few zzz’s in the living room!) Then we scrounge something up for dinner, enjoy more fellowship, clean up some more, and then head for home, usually about 8pm.

Just yesterday I was thinking how peaceful my Sundays have been the last few months. No rushing around, no feeling tired and drained when we got home. Just several hours being together with our children and friends enjoying God’s presence and Sabbath rest. It’s been good.

That is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:12)