Click on each room linked below to learn more.
The Church House
As Paul said, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”… God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
— — —
The diagram above, along with the description below, is a metaphor for how the Church is like a house. We name each room in relation to its area of ministry. The experience of belonging to a church is like moving through the entire house and discovering the purpose of each room. One distinct feature of this home is that although there is a front door designed for entrance, there are many ways a person can find their way inside, and every room has access to the living room (where worship takes place).
The front porch is where we meet first-time guests and regular visitors. It is the advertising we do in the community and online. It’s the welcome desk. It’s the way we invite people to church. It’s often the first thing people see when they encounter our church.
Sitting Room – Fellowship
Unlike your grandmother’s house, you are encouraged to recline on the couches and make yourself comfortable in this sitting room. Fellowship is an important part of the Christian community. It allows us to build friendships without programmatic expectations or discipleship pre-work. Supper clubs, affinity groups, and potlucks are all examples of fellowship ministries.
Almost every other room in this house has a doorway into and out of the living room. The living room is the center of the house, just as worship is the lifeblood and center of our Christian faith. Everything we do flows out of and back into worship.
Bedroom – Congregational Care/Prayer
Jesus said when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. The bedroom is the most personal and intimate space in the house. Just as prayer is the most intimate place we meet with God.
Kitchen – Missions
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’”
Missions ministries are the calling of the church. We do not exist for ourselves but for others. The kitchen is where we prepare the physical and spiritual food that feeds the world. “The church is not a museum for the saints but a hospital for sinners.”
There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on at the church. Our operations volunteers and staff are essential. Like the garage that stores our tools is often an unappreciated space in the house, so too the operations of our church sometimes fail to receive the credit it deserves for helping the Church do our work.
To know is to grow. Discipleship and education are necessary for Christian sanctification. We grow closer to Christ when we know more about Christ. Our library/study is the place where we can explore the nature of faith and grow deeper in our walk with Christ. These ministries include Bible Studies, youth groups, children’s ministry, Sunday School, small groups, short-term classes, and more.
Backyard – Family Life Ministries
We believe the Church should have fun! High-energy events like movie nights, dinner on the grounds, trunk or treat, retreats, and more are great ways to engage new people in the life of the church. Also, they provide an opportunity for people to gather who might not have other places to interact.
To maintain all the wonderful ministries, missions, and programs, the church requires order and management. The administration of a church is necessary to ensure we are good stewards of God’s gifts and utilize all God has given in the best ways possible.
