The Three Legs of Church Life

In a desire to see Christianity relevant to society and lived out in simple authenticity, we've recognized three legs on which COTN Mid-Atlantic stands.

1. Church in the House (Simple Church)
2. Church in Celebration
3. Church in Apostolic Thrust

One of the core values of COTN is that God is a loving Father and everything that He is and does stems from the foundation of his fatherhood and from family. Therefore, family relationship with Him and through Him with one another is foundational to honoring Him. We see that simple New Testament church life can best be lived out in homes where communities of believers are discipled and cared for as they reach neighborhoods, workplaces, and the nations with the love of Christ, 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: CHURCH IN THE HOUSE (OASIS); a.k.a., "SIMPLE CHURCH"

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 who also maintain responsibillty for the corporate life of the churches in the greater Richmond area.

Understanding that eldership function is to shepherd and bishop lives, we see an OASIS as an elder-led community of believers meeting in a home or other similar environment (i.e. marketplace) with a vision of making disciples and a desire to see a neighborhood, community or workplace shepherded and reached with the love of God. It is a place where "simple church" is lived as a Kingdom witness.

Family is the foundation on which God has chosen to build, so we see these communities as families.  We place a high value on relationships, and on living life together. 

An OASIS in a desert is a place of refreshment, safety and rest. We desire to see the same for a neighborhood 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:

O ne Anothers
A doration - Worship
S tudy of the Word - Discipleship
I ntercession
S haring 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!"