The Three Legs of Church Life

In a desire to truly impact society with Gospel of the Kingdom and express our life and faith in God with authenticity, we’ve recognized three legs on which COTN Mid-Atlantic stands.

1. Simple Church
2. Church in Celebration
3. Church in Apostolic Thrust

Our COTN values are founded on the understanding that God has chosen to be known as Father.  Therefore the foundation of His Kingdom is family.  Living in family relationship with Him as Father and with one another is central to honoring Him and to the advancement of His Kingdom.

We see that simple New Testament church life can be effectively lived out in a variety of environments (homes, workplaces, schools) where communities of believers are discipled and cared for as they reach neighbors, friends, and co-workers with the love of Christ.

Through a unified heart and vision to “Advance His Kingdom, from neighborhoods to nations” and by demonstrating His family heart and kingdom values, we can see His Kingdom come on Earth as it is in heaven, as seen in Acts 1:8 —“…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Let’s look a little more closely at these three legs.

LEG ONE:  SIMPLE CHURCH; a.k.a., “OASIS”

The Greater Richmond Area

Leadership here in the Greater Richmond Area rests in the hands of the elders of the "simple churches," served and equipped by a gift ministry team comprised of Jason Pascale and Don Coleman who also maintain responsibility for the corporate life of the churches in the greater Richmond area.  The churches in Richmond are apostolically served and overseen by Tony and Marilyn Fitzgerald.

Understanding that one of the primary functions of eldership is to shepherd and bishop lives, we see an Oasis as an elder-led community of believers meeting in a home or other setting (i.e. workplace, school), with a vision of making disciples and a desire to see neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and communities shepherded and reached with the love of God.  These Oasis communities should have family at their foundation as this is the basis from which God chose to establish His Kingdom on the earth.  An Oasis is a place where “simple church” is lived as a Kingdom witness.

An OASIS in a desert is a place of refreshment, safety and rest.  We desire to see the same for a neighborhood or workplace OASIS.  It is to be a safe house for people to dwell, grow and fulfill their kingdom destiny.

Key elements of an Oasis are as follows:

One Anothers
Adoration – Worship
Study of the Word – Discipleship
Intercession
Sharing our lives and faith with others

The early Church was devoted to four things according to Acts 2:42 —the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.

When they gathered, they all participated!  In 1 Cor. 14:26 , they brought a psalm, doctrine, tongue, revelation and interpretation.

They were “AN OASIS OF LOVE IN A HURTING WORLD!”

Click here to see some biblical guidelines for what can be seen in Oasis churches.