MINISTRY DESIGN:
We live in a day of options. And let's be honest...options can be great!
Welcome to simple church.
Our goal in ministry design and emphasis is to prioritize what matters most in order to focus our ministry and optimize for effectiveness. With that in mind, we have organized for three simple modes of engagement, successively broadening, in the following order...
Essentials.
The "Big 3"
First things first. This is ground zero. The core. The axis upon which all our other adult ministries turn. Besides attending the Sunday worship service, there are three key things we want to see each person engaged in. You can think of them as the essentials. They are...
Sunday School
Every Sunday, we provide interactive, age-appropriate classes for everyone on a wide range of topics related to biblical living and bearing spiritual fruit.
Why is this an essential? Because the Bible says maturity requires regular and focused effort. The guided learning format of our classes lends itself well toward this goal.
Hebrews 5:13-14 | "Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Why is this an essential? Because the Bible says maturity requires regular and focused effort. The guided learning format of our classes lends itself well toward this goal.
Hebrews 5:13-14 | "Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
D-Group (personal discipleship)
Jesus has called each of us to disciple making. Our Discipleship page explains how we help you get connected. Most of our discipleship groups meet weekly.
Matthew 28:19-20 | "Go...and make disciples...baptizing them...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Colossians 1:28 | "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
>> Learn More
Matthew 28:19-20 | "Go...and make disciples...baptizing them...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Colossians 1:28 | "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
>> Learn More
Serving
We endeavor to orient every committed believer toward avenues of ministry within where they can best serve and bless the church family.
Romans 12:6 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
Ephesians 4:16 | "...the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
>> Find Your Spot
Romans 12:6 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
Ephesians 4:16 | "...the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
>> Find Your Spot
We believe that when someone is active and faithful in the basics, they will be growing in their walk with God, their relationships with others, and contributing to the health of the church body in the ways Jesus expects.
Breakouts.
Then come the Breakouts. For those who are fully engaged in the Essentials and are looking for more, we have additional inputs and outlets for growth, connection, and ministry. They include...
Social Meetups
Social meetups take many shapes...ladies night out, men's prayer breakfast, Dinners for Six, berry picking, thrifting, cookouts, canoeing/kayaking, etc. Not all opportunities will be posted on our public calendar, but following our church calendar will be a great place to start. For further opportunities, contact our office.
Small Groups
We have home groups you can join as well as a weekly ladies Bible study group which runs fall through spring. Please note...these are not the same as personal discipleship (one of the Big 3) nor are they a substitute.
>> Home Small Groups, click here
>> Ladies Bible Study, click here
>> Home Small Groups, click here
>> Ladies Bible Study, click here
Retreats
Go along with a group to a men's or women's retreat at one our area Christian camps. In addition to that, every year we put on our own fall men's retreat just outside of Hamilton. Follow our church calendar for notifications and to get all the details as soon as they become available.
Special Events
We enjoy many opportunities throughout the year to fellowship and get to know one another better, including potlucks, game nights, cookouts, and both outdoor and offsite services. Follow our church calendar for notifications and more details.
>> View Calendar
>> View Calendar
Advance.
One of the chief objectives of a healthy church is to meet the current and future needs of the church by reproducing biblical leaders. With that in mind, we don't wait until needs arise. We want to evaluate, anticipate, and prepare.
We look for everyone pushing into the Advance level of engagement to be already active in the Big 3, as well as participating in some of our Breakout activities. The purpose for Big 3 involvement is obvious: obedience and faithfulness in the basics. That one is easy. But why Breakouts?
The expectation for some sort of Breakout involvement is that being a godly leader requires sincere, voluntary, and regular interest, availability, and investment in personal relationships. Simply put...we want to make sure we are training leaders who have time and concern for people. Life is ministry and ministry is people.
Through our Advance level framework, we offer three avenues for cultivation in role-based spiritual leadership. They are...
We look for everyone pushing into the Advance level of engagement to be already active in the Big 3, as well as participating in some of our Breakout activities. The purpose for Big 3 involvement is obvious: obedience and faithfulness in the basics. That one is easy. But why Breakouts?
The expectation for some sort of Breakout involvement is that being a godly leader requires sincere, voluntary, and regular interest, availability, and investment in personal relationships. Simply put...we want to make sure we are training leaders who have time and concern for people. Life is ministry and ministry is people.
Through our Advance level framework, we offer three avenues for cultivation in role-based spiritual leadership. They are...
The Forum
The Forum is for anyone engaged in (or interested in) discipling someone, leading a ministry, or teaching. We gather throughout the year to learn methods and principles of spiritual leadership and to invest in each other.
>> Get Notifications
>> Get Notifications
Leader Development Modules
Periodically and as needed, we offer multi-session courses on various topics or skill sets related to spiritual leadership. If this interests you, register below to receive notifications.
>> Get Notifications
>> Get Notifications
222
In 2 Timothy 2:2, the Apostle Paul wrote, "What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." Based upon that directive, 222 is a group designed for the development of future teachers, preachers, chaplains, and pastors, and others pursuing vocational ministry. Launch is planned for fall or winter 2024.
>> Learn More or to Register
>> Learn More or to Register
"Equipping the saints for the work of ministry and building up the body of Christ."
Ephesians 4:12
Ephesians 4:12