The Nature, Design and General Rules of the Micro Churches

This is a very rough draft of a document which may guide the life of micro churches that could be planted through Resurrection. My hope is that the venture will be both faithful and relevant. Will you please share with me your thoughts, feelings and opinions in the comments?

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In the fall of 2008, a group of eight or ten persons gathered at a care facility in Leawood, who sought to worship together facilitated by a live stream of worship from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Thus began the idea of a micro church as a way of being the church in a way that echoes the early years of Christianity and the United Methodist denomination. This concept was tested by a small group in Lees Summit in the fall of 2009.

With this in mind, the following expectations and covenant were developed to guide the life of the micro churches. We use these standards to hold ourselves accountable to the Christian life and pursuing our purpose of building a Christian community where non religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. We recognize that it is God’s grace which calls forth our faithful response, brings transformation in our communities and renews the church.

Minimum Expectations – A micro church will:

• build a Christian community where non religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.
• make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
• live according to the theological guidelines of The United Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
• have a leader that is in covenant with The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection who will guide the life of the micro church.
• offer opportunities to worship, grow, give and serve.
• encourage participants to meet to pray together, receive the word of encouragement and guidance, and watch over one another in love.
• collaborate with a United Methodist elder to share in Holy Communion and Baptism.
• create new places for new people.

A micro church worship gathering will:

• occur once a week, at the least.
• offer simple and gracious hospitality.
• begin punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
• begin with introductions, reminder of purpose, an introduction to the experience and prayer.
• create space for theological reflection.
  • Symbols that may provide a guide for theological reflection:
    • Question Mark – “I do not understand…”
    • Lightbulb – “I am able to offer insight about…” or “I gained insight about…”
    • Arrow – “I have heard from God and need to do something about…”
• create space for each person to speak freely and plainly about the state of her or his soul, the faults committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations felt, since the last gathering.
• end with sharing joys, concerns and prayer appropriate to the state of each person present.
• have only one condition required for those who desire to belong — a desire to become part of a Christian community where non religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.