Our Innovative Structure

At Catching Life Christian Church we don't want to waste your time in unnecessary meetings.  Therefore we have adopted what we call a "permission giving" structure which encourages the spontaneous development of ministry with a minimum of red tape.

The church sets the boundaries and the values in our mission, vision, and values statement.  If you are staying within the mission, vision, and values of the church you don't need permission to put your faith into action on behalf of the church.  If you feel led by the Spirit to begin a formal small group or ministry team, we have guidelines for your support and direction.

The Organizational Design below eliminates the need for the standard committee and board system of the average church.  In its place is a dynamic system of organization that allows the power of the Holy Spirit to move through individuals and groups in a constantly dynamic and evolving process.

Less time spent in red tape means more time and energy for ministry.  Read the full document below for a complete description of our organizational structure.

(adopted April 24, 2001)

(amended March 2003)

Catching Life Christian Church is a congregation historically associated with the Christian Church movement in America.  It is free to organize itself in ways it deems most effective in order to carry out its Mission, Vision and Values.  The purpose of this organizational structure is to:

• Establish the mission and core spiritual identity of the church through the Mission, Vision, and Values statement
• Provide an organizational design which gives structure but also encourages creativity and initiative
• Minimize the amount of energy given in making decisions and maximize the amount of energy given in making disciples
• Clarify roles and responsibilities so that peoples’ spiritual gifts are most effectively exercised
• Cultivate a culture in which mission and core spiritual identity are constant while the processes for accomplishing the mission and core identity are continually revised to keep them effective

Mission, Vision and Values

Our Foundation

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. (Matthew 16:16)

Our Focus

The focus of our church is spiritual growth.

Our Goal

Our goal is to mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  (Ephesians 4:13)

Our Method

We emphasize nine ways to grow spiritually.

- Prayer

- Study

- Worship

- Fellowship

- Volunteering

- Giving

- Sharing our faith

- Showing compassion

- Being spiritually honest

Values 

• Providing music that connects with the culture.
• Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit by undergirding all actions with prayer.
• Affirming and teaching central Christian beliefs and biblical values, understanding that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior is the only absolute requirement for membership.
• Using contemporary technology that connects with today’s culture.
• Having our worship service centered around the Lord’s Supper.
• Helping people become aware of their spiritual gifts and then supporting them as they use these gifts in ministry.
• Promoting small groups where Christians find intimacy, are ministered to, and grow in their faith.
• Having elders and small group leaders who look after the needs of the congregation.
• Recognizing the equality of men and women in leadership.
• Providing effective leadership that is guided by our mission, vision, and values.
• Being good stewards of our resources by using sound financial practices in supporting the mission of our church.
• Being involved in our community and serving the needy and marginalized.
• Providing a welcoming and diverse environment which encourages participation in ministry.
• Having pastoral leadership that keeps the church aware of current trends and trains people for ministry.

Approved by consensus of the entire congregation, January 30, 2000

 Membership/Participation 

The only church membership Catching Life Christian Church shall primarily concern itself with is membership in the Church Universal, the Body of Christ.  We affirm that the Church exists in many forms and expressions.  We recognize baptized Christians as members of the Church in the largest sense of this word.  When we baptize, we baptize persons into the Universal Church, of which this church is but one expression.  We recognize the validity of the water baptisms practiced in other churches.  Although we practice only adult baptism by immersion, we do not ask already baptized Christians to be baptized again before they can become a “member” of this church.  If persons are  unbaptized and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior we baptize them into Christ, and welcome their membership in the Universal Christian Church and this particular congregation known as Catching Life Christian Church.  

At Catching Life Christian Church we are concerned that Christians live out their faith in a community where they may be supported and where they find completion.  We experience being the church, the Body of Christ, when we unite in ministry and use our individual spiritual gifts in complementary ways.

We celebrate the many different ways Christians from various backgrounds participate in this local church.  We look upon any baptized Christian participating in this ministry as a member of our church.  Christians wishing to formally unite with this church will be recognized in the worship service by the pastor(s).   Christians wishing to advance from participation to leadership positions must affirm our church’s mission, vision, and values statement.  Pastors and Elders must be formal members who understand and embrace our congregation's history and theological values. 

We do not baptize infants.  We affirm that infants and children are all members of God’s family due to their innocence – not knowing right from wrong.  Instead of baptizing infants we provide a Dedication Service where infants are dedicated to God.  As part of the Dedication Service the parents and the church covenant together to provide a Christian upbringing for the child.  Once children reach an age of understanding they may decide for themselves to take Jesus as Lord and Savior and be baptized.    

Summary:  Baptized Christians don’t have to “join” this church in order to be regarded as members.  All they have to do is participate.  We are not concerned with drawing fine lines between who is a “member” of this church and who is not a “member” of this church.  We are concerned that Christians who are separated from life in the church feel as welcome and included as possible when they experience Catching Life Christian Church.  We are concerned that as Christians we understand ourselves as all seeking to be a part of the Universal Church, of which this local congregation, and the denomination to which it belongs, is but one expression.  

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Elders, Steering Team, Pastor(s), Small Group Leaders, and Ministry Team Leaders work together to provide leadership for the church in accomplishing the Mission, Vision, and Values. 

The Elders oversee the Mission, Vision, and Values Statement which is the heart of the church.  The Elders insure that the church is proceeding forward in a balanced way.  The Elders provide clarification and interpretation of the Mission, Vision, and Values when questions arise.  The Elders help shepherd the church and they work to further the Mission, Vision, and Values. 

The Steering Team works within the Mission, Vision, and Values to make the most effective decisions, but is not involved in changing the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Church.  In order to insure accountability, coordination, and encouragement there is to be regular communication between the Elders and the Steering Team.   

Elders

The Elders have primary responsibility for spiritual oversight of the church.

The Elders are responsible for the following: 

• Providing discipline and accountability to ensure that all small groups and ministry teams act within the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Overseeing communion in general, including giving prayers for bread and cup at the communion table
• Shepherding or giving care to the church
• Overseeing any change to the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Giving guidance in matters which affect the core spiritual identity of the church
• Recruiting and training more elders
• Overseeing the process by which a new pastor or pastoral team is called to serve or asked to leave.
• Leading persons to Christ so that they would accept Him as their Lord and Savior
• Serving those in need
• In the absence of a pastor or pastoral team the elders perform the pastoral role until a new pastor or pastoral team is called.
• Ensuring formal communication with the Steering Team
• Assuring that necessary records of congregational life and ministry are being kept

Elders are not responsible for the following:

• Giving advanced approval before ministry teams, small groups, or individuals may act within the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Determining a spending plan for the church
• Approving staffing decisions (except when calling new pastoral leadership)
• Overseeing changes to the Roles and Responsibilities section of the Organizational Structure 

Qualities of Elders

• Affirm the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Have spiritual gifts in the areas of wisdom, knowledge, faith, discernment, and shepherding
• Attend worship regularly and contribute financially
• A baptized Christian
• Understand the history of the congregation, so that their decisions will take into account our congregational identity
• Must be formal members of the church 

Duration of Office

• Under normal circumstances, elders should limit length of service to 3 years and may be called back after a break of six months
• Elders should bring on new elders and seek new elders so that there is a constant cultivation of leadership within the church at all times 

Special Considerations

• The pastors of the church are considered elders by virtue of their ordination and serve with the elders
• Members of the Elders (except for the Pastors) do not also serve on the Steering Team in order to maintain a check and balance between Elders and Steering Team
• The ideal number of active Elders is six to ten, not counting the Pastors.

Steering Team

The Steering Team has primary responsibility for management of the church.  The Steering Team consists of the Pastor, Treasurer, Children's Ministry Leader, Music Ministry Leader, and other members of the congregation who guide the church within the boundaries established by the Mission, Vision, and Values statement.

The Steering Team is responsible for the following:

• Making and updating procedures and guidelines for individuals, groups, or teams wishing to further the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Setting specific goals and plans to constantly challenge the church in attaining its Mission, Vision, and Values
• Ensuring the setting of budgets, the determination of spending plans, and overseeing the allocation of resources in an orderly and timely fashion
• Overseeing the financial ministry of the church, so that there are always trained persons filling the roles which currently correspond to the positions of Financial Secretary and Treasurer.  It is understood that individual contributions shall remain confidential
• Providing discipline and accountability for those who are acting inside the mission, vision, and values, but acting outside the established operational procedures for establishing small groups and ministry teams
• Seeing that the necessary functions of the church are carried out through individuals or ministry teams led by persons with appropriate spiritual gifts
• Determining appropriate meeting times and assembling accordingly
• Continually monitoring the health and effectiveness of the church
• Determining paid staff positions
• Encouraging the spontaneous development of ministry by individuals, groups, or teams
• Overseeing any changes made to the Roles and Responsibilities of the Organizational Document
• Having formal communication with the Elders
• Providing guidelines for the establishment of ministry teams and small groups

The Steering Team is not responsible for the following:

• Resolving spiritual issues which face the church
• Overseeing changes to the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Giving advanced approval for individuals, groups, or teams to act within the Mission, Vision, and Values unless budgetary support is requested

Qualities

• Affirm the Mission, Vision, and Values
• Have spiritual gifts in the areas of administration, leadership, and discernment
• Attend worship regularly and contribute financially
• A baptized Christian 

Duration of Office

• Under normal circumstances, Steering Team members should limit length of service to 3 years and may be called back after a break of six months
• Steering Team members should bring on new members and seek new members, so that there is a constant cultivation of leadership within the church at all times 

Special Circumstances

• Has the responsibility to fill in during critical situations when no other leaders or teams can be raised up quickly enough.  In this situation it is understood that the member of the Steering Team giving special leadership will be relieved of their Steering Team responsibilities until they can train a person to take their place in the new ministry.  After the new leadership in the new ministry is in place they return to the Steering Team.
• Members of the Steering Team do not also serve as Elders in order to maintain a check and balance between Elders and Steering Team 

Pastoral Team

The pastoral team is primarily responsible for giving leadership and equipping persons for the ministry to which God is calling them.

The Pastoral Team is responsible for the following:

• Casting of a compelling and ever expanding vision for the church
• Cultivating new leaders to keep the church effective as we make new disciples
• Overseeing the broad system of leadership development within the church
• Working with the Steering Team to effectively accomplish the mission, vision, and values
• Getting continuing education to keep the church current and innovative by utilizing and adapting the best and most effective practices of thriving churches
• Working with the Elders to continually affirm and clarify our spiritual core
• Establishing a network of individuals, small groups and ministry teams which give care and support to other persons in the church
• Training lay persons to carry out the ministry of the church

The Pastoral Team is not responsible for the following:

• Making hospital or nursing home calls unless training another person in so doing
• Doing ministry tasks which lay persons may adequately perform

Cellular Level of Church Organization

Catching Life Christian Church understands its basic structure to be organized around cells rather than a hierarchical, corporate model.   Cell groups are “a face-to-face meeting that is a sub-unit of the overall fellowship.”  (Carl George)  Ideally, all functions of the church should operate out of cell groups.  Cell groups currently exist in two manifestations:  Small Groups and Ministry Teams.

Ministry Teams

Ministry Teams are task-oriented cell groups.  They exist to accomplish a specific function within the life of the church (for instance, providing music, setting up sound and projection systems, providing a children’s ministry, publicizing the church.)  Sometimes they will be established by the Steering Team and will receive funding from the budget.  Other times they will spontaneously generate around a leader and provide all their own funding.   Following are the guidelines for Ministry Teams and their leaders.
 
Ministry teams are:

• Called together by a trained leader for a specific purpose which furthers the mission, vision and values of the church
• A primary vehicle through which the church accomplishes its mission
• Organized according to the guidelines established by the Steering Team
• In existence not only to accomplish a task but also to establish a point of connection for new persons in the church
• Groups that divide up their task in small enough portions so that many can be involved and none burned out

Requirements for Ministry Team Leaders

• Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Church
• Receive the appropriate leadership training
• Are baptized Christians
• Attend worship regularly (at least two times a month when in town)
• Are not also leading other teams or groups (in order to prevent burnout) 

Small Groups
 

Small Groups are cell groups dedicated primarily to care, support, encouragement, and relationship building.  Small groups are places where persons can gather and be known in very personal ways.  As part of their purpose in caring for others, small groups will have an outreach/service component.  Small groups are the way the church retains its intimate character even as it grows larger.  Small groups enlarge the span of care available to the congregation by providing intimate groups within the larger body.  A purpose of small groups is to multiply.

Small groups are:

• Called together by a trained leader
• Required to have a Leader, a Leader in Training, and a Host before  persons can be invited to become involved
• A primary vehicle through which persons in the church mature spiritually and experience intimate Christian community
• Organized according to the guidelines established by the Steering Team
• A vital  point of connection for new persons in the church

Requirements for Small Group Leaders

• Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Church
• Receive the appropriate leadership training
• Are baptized Christians
• Attend worship regularly (at least two times a month when in town)
• Are not also leading other groups or teams (in order to prevent burnout) 

Guidelines For Establishing Cell Groups:

Persons are encouraged to seek God’s will in using their spiritual gifts for ministry.  Individual initiative and creativity are highly valued. 

To establish a Ministry Team

• Be a baptized Christian, regularly attending worship (at least twice a month when in town), and affirm the Mission, Vision, and Values of the church
• Make sure the ministry fits within the Mission, Vision, and Values.  Questions regarding the Mission, Vision and Values should be directed to  the Elders.
• Find two or three other people who are willing to help in this Ministry Team.
• Establish clear qualifications and expectations which persons wishing to be involved must meet (i.e., training required, amount of time, gifts or talents needed, etc.)
• Inform the designated Cell Group Coach from the Steering Team, the Pastors, or any member of the Steering Team of desire to begin a ministry team.
• The cell group coach will  be able to help organize and develop a plan for implementing the new ministry team so it can be recognized as an official ministry of the church.
• Attend leadership training events provided by the church for support and encouragement as you lead your group
• Ministry Team leaders should meet regularly with their Team to encourage effectiveness, creativity, and fun
• Understand that you will give care and support to members of your team.

To establish a Small Group

• Be a baptized Christian, regularly attending worship (at least twice a month when in town), and affirm the Mission, Vision, and Values of the church
• Make sure the ministry fits within the Mission, Vision, and Values.  (Questions regarding the Mission, Vision and Values should be directed to the Elders.)
• Inform the designated Cell Group Coach from the Steering Team, the Pastors, or any member of the Steering Team of intention to begin a Small Group.  This is so the Steering Team will have an overall picture of what’s happening in the church and be able to help coordinate the activity of the new Small Group with the other ministries of the church.
• Receive the appropriate training  from the church for any persons desiring to lead small groups.  Contact the Pastoral Team for this.
• Gather a leader in training and a host before beginning to invite persons to the group.
• Small groups should meet a minimum of two times a month.
  Understand that Small Groups must multiply and cannot devolve into cliques.   Once a group averages 10-12 on a regular basis the group should multiply.  Small group leaders and leaders in training will receive the necessary training so they can guide the process of multiplying groups.
  Understand that you will give care and support to members of your small group
• Attend leadership training events provided by the church for support and encouragement as you lead your group

Addendum

• These guidelines are not intended to discourage informal gatherings or social activities. 
• There will be an annual all-church anniversary celebration/dinner/agape feast to inform and celebrate. 

Moved by Fred Peter and seconded by David Hunter and approved by consensus of the Catching Life Christian Church Board on April 24th, 2001.

Amended by consensus of Steering Team and Elders March 2003.

Amended by the elders Feb. 20, 2005.