Our Process
Community Harvest Church will be structured around a simple process for making mature disciples. Our process comes from Ephesians chapter four, which describes the movement of people through three major steps of spiritual growth: 1) equipping believers for service, 2) connecting believers together and 3) building the body of Christ through actual service. We believe that gifted church leaders (pastors, deacons, teachers and evangelists) are responsible for equipping the saints for service by teaching, shepherding and providing the structure and environment necessary for spiritual growth and service. Having the structure and environment in place, it is each person’s responsibility to learn God’s Word, connect to the body and build up the body of Christ in love by doing works of service. We will accomplish our mission of transforming lives, families and communities through Christ as we equip, connect and build.
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted together and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part”( Ephesians 4:1-13, 15-16).
1) Equipping (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Equipping takes place during the weekend worship service. Contemporary worship, corporate prayer and thanksgiving create a time and place where everyone comes into God’s presence to hear from Him. Through relevant Bible teaching, we are equipped for God’s service as we learn about God and His purpose for our lives. Believers learn who they are in Christ and how to live as members of His body. Unbelievers learn how to begin a relationship with the Lord as the gospel is presented.
2) Connecting (Ephesians 4:15-16)
Connecting happens when we are brought together to grow deeper in our relationships. Connecting takes place in small group bible studies. Leaders teach interactive lessons based on the message taught in the equipping service. Everyone is encouraged to speak the truth in love as they interact, working together to understand and apply God’s Word to their lives and relationships. In the connecting groups, believers hold each other accountable. Connected believers understand how to relate to others and function within the church and out in the community.
3) Building (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Building brings believers to full maturity as we use our spiritual gifts and natural talents to do works of service to build up the body of Christ. Building takes place as small groups work to meet ministry needs that align with our process, core values, and mission. These ministries include community outreach, church and community service, church planting, foreign missions, discipleship and hospitality. The body of Christ grows in love as believers serve each other and unbelievers are added to the body through community service and evangelism.
