The assembled church will provide the primary source and method of equipping and counseling.

The assembled church will provide the primary source and method of equipping and counseling, but the primary responsibility for fellowship and personal growth lies with the individual.

Many, if not most, church leaders are bogged down, their energy and time exerted in clinical counseling. The lines to the pastor’s study go on forever and add up to hours of professional counseling. There will always be some need for specialized counseling, but we believe something happens in the realm of healing when the body worships, interrelates and cares together that doesn’t happen in a clinical counseling situation. The truth is, counseling takes place each time we gather, because the Holy Spirit, who is the Great Counselor, meets with us.

The church gathers for three primary purposes in many different groups. First, we meet to celebrate. We can do this in as large a group as can be imagined. As we celebrate and worship together, there is a manifestation of God’s presence that meets the needy and satisfies his longings.

Secondly, we meet to interrelate, i.e. to get to know one another. Through this meshing of lives, we find the ministry of Jesus flowing from one part of the body to the other. This purpose of gathering is best accomplished in groups of fifty or less.

Then we meet to care and accept responsibility for each other. It is here that we really bear one another’s burdens. We pray for the sick, bind up the bruised, etc. Here we weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. All masks are taken off, and we treat each other with love. Accountability is found in a loving atmosphere. This purpose of gathering is best accomplished in even smaller groups.

It is our desire and intention to have these types of gathering times. We believe God will energize the body to minister and be ministered to in this way. Therefore, each person is primarily responsible to partake of the ministry. To refuse the church assembly in its various forms and then to expect personal attention is to disregard the priorities of this particular body.

This is not a calloused concept but an attempt to release the body for ministry. The shepherd’s attitude will always permeate all true ministry. He will love the ninety-nine and look for the one who is lost.

Acts 2:41-47                                      Ephesians 5:18-21

Acts 4:32-35                                      Philippians 2:1-11

Ephesians 4                                        Hebrews 10:23-25