The Neighborhood Church
 
A Message From Pastor Bob About The Neighborhood Church The Neighborhood Church is on the cutting edge of some exciting and significant changes taking place in our culture and the Church in our time. At the same time many individuals are looking for both a deeper, coherent spirituality in their lives and also for a more intimate sense of community. They want deeper connections, both with their God, and with others around them. Many are very lonely, sometimes in the midst of crowds of people. It’s not for everyone, nor is it the “best” or “only” approach; The “Simple Church” or “House Church” movement is but one compassionate response to those seeking an alternative or addition to bigger, programmed and less personalized church organizations. The Neighborhood Church offers a community of spiritual seekers, disciples of Jesus Christ, who are worshipping in the more intimate setting of a living room, caring for each other, and engaged together in mission to their local community. This may seem to be a new model for understanding “Church”, and actually it moves back to the Church of the first three centuries A.D., before the construction of separate buildings for worship, fellowship, and other church activities. The “Simple Church” movement offers new roles for both pastors and each individual members. The common understanding of pastors today is either that as caregiver or entrepreneur, or some combination of both. I see myself more as a cultivator- one who understands and cultivates the passions, gifts and abilities of each member, enabling him or her to grow in a walk with Christ, so that each can be effective and fruitful member of the church, family, workplace, and neighborhood(see Ephesians 4:11-13, “to prepare God's people for works of service”). This happens as each person feels individually loved, supported, and appreciated, not just by the pastor, but by the others in the church. It happens also as each person becomes solidly grounded in the truth of God’s Word, as I do my best to clearly and effectively preach and teach each week. My role as pastor is to nourish each member from God’s Word, and to encourage them, with the Spirit’s help and guidance, to be salt and light in their world. In this understanding of “Church”, each member truly is a minister who finds their greatest fulfillment and joy in using his or her time, talent, and treasure to further God’s purposes in this world.