Belonging @ ENCS

Please read the following before coming.

From the beginning of the church in Acts, those who accepted the Gospel were baptized, added to the church, and began to devote themselves to new habits and practices as Christ followers. This caused them to grow spiritually, emotionally, relationally and numerically as a community.  

We believe that the same devotion to shared life and Biblical practices as expressed in the Scripture like the early church and carried forward by generations of Christians, will spiritually form and shape us into healthy disciples of Jesus in our day and time.
 
It is our aim as Every Nation Church to continually grow and develop into the kind of community that is being the church that engages in biblical practices and mission together.

Part of belonging to a community is being committed to growing together. Below we will cover 12 biblical practices that will help you grow in God and belong in community at Every Nation. We engage in these practices in both large and small groups. Some are communal, some are for individual devotion, and some are both. To faithfully be the church in our time, we must engage and grow in these practices.

Living life dependent upon the Holy Spirit for both fruit and spiritual giftedness for ministry.
(Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, Galatians 5:16)

Jesus told his disciples to wait for the coming empowerment of the Holy Spirit before they were to go to be his witnesses. The coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 birthed the church community and ever since then the Holy Spirit continues to empower each believer to witness and image Christ in the earth. There is both a baptism in the Spirit as seen throughout the book of Acts, and an ongoing daily dependence on walking in the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:16.

Honoring God’s word as an authority in our lives we seek to understand and obey it as it instructs, corrects, encourages, etc.
(Acts 2:42, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:14-17)

In Acts 2:42 the new believers are described as being devoted to the apostles teaching. This can be assumed to be the disciples' obedience to Jesus's last words (Matthew 28:18-20) where he commissions them to go and make disciples... and teach them to obey all that he commanded them. Though we study Jesus' words, our devotion to Scripture does not stop there. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 describes all Scripture as the word of God and important for the growth of believers. Devotion and obedience to the apostolic teaching are key to the establishment and ongoing growth of God's people, the church.

Sharing our life with a small group of people, having honest discussion of Scriptures and its application in our lives, eating meals, and practicing hospitality in our homes.
(Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:3-7)

Authentic fellowship, described as the essence of the Christian life-fellowship with God and fellowship with one another, is the participation in sharing our life with one another. We gather together with other believers to both give and receive friendship, care, ministry, prayer, etc. The authenticity with which we show up and the reciprocal nature of the time spent is what gives authentic fellowship its name and its power to bring transformation in our lives.

Regularly taking communion together.
(Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

We have a common union in Jesus, as brothers and sisters of His family, we regularly remember Christ’s death as our means of salvation and reflect on how our own lives live in response to Jesus' sacrifice.

Praying first not last as an expression of our dependence upon God.
(Mark 1:35, Matthew 6:5-13, Exodus 15:22-26)

In Exodus, God established the statute for his people to listen to and obey him as a priority in their life. We call this practice "Pray first", as in pray first not last so we can faithfully walk with God. Throughout Scripture it is clear- if we approach prayer as a place of humility and submission it provides us a means of interaction with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for ourselves, our community, and for partnering with God and his purposes.

The first time the word prayer is used is when God initiated prayer in Genesis 20:7, God told Abimelech to ask Abraham to pray for him to be healed. This first occasion demonstrates prayer as a request to God on behalf of someone in need of God's mercy. Throughout the Old and New Testament the initial idea for prayer is never contradicted but it grows and deepens as seen in the Lord's prayer- Matthew 6:9-13 where Jesus gives his instruction on how we should pray: approaching God as our father, praying his kingdom come, bringing our needs and requests, asking for God's forgiveness even as we offer forgiveness for others, and praying for deliverance from temptation and evil.

Be physically present with God’s people for large group worship and small groups on a regular basis, and eating meals together.
(Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25)

From both the Old Testament and New Testament occurrences of church: ekklesia we can confidently say the church is meant to be understood as the gathered people of God; gathered for large group worship and small group discipleship. Where they gather does not seem to be as important as the reality that they do gather, as seen in Hebrews 10:25, which addresses those not gathering and exhorts believers to not give up gathering.

The practice of eating together has historically been an opportunity to receive the other person and invite an authentic fellowship that results in a relational connection. For the church, this practice of eating together is an opportunity to demonstrate the oneness we have in Christ (Galatians 3:28) and an opportunity to create space for the other practices.

Practicing the "One-Anothers": Including loving one another, sharing burdens, and serving one another. These "One-Anothers" are a picture of what it looks like to be the church, who is one body with each part belonging to the others.
(Romans 12-15)

There are over 100 "One-Anothers" written about in the NT. About 30% of them stress love for one another, 1/3 stress our dedication to one another, and 15% stress humility to one another. These "One-Anothers" are a picture of what it looks like to be the church, who is one body with each part belonging to the others.

Actively sharing our gifts and talents to serve and build up the body of Christ- His church.
(Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Peter 4:8-11)

The church is called a body with many parts. Each part is vital and equipped with gifts that are to be used to build up the whole body. As each part does its work the whole body will grow in maturity and unity.

Being generous with our time, talent, and treasure.
(Acts 2:42-47, I Timothy 6:17-19, James 1:19)

We give as an act of obedience and an act of worship with our tithes, and we give alms, offerings, and practical resources as our church family needs.

Generosity begins in the heart as a response to the work of Christ on our behalf which causes our hope to shift from what we have in this world to who God is, 1 Timothy 6:17-19. The practice of sacrificial giving includes generosity with our time, talent, and treasure. We give as an act of obedience and an act of worship with our tithes, and we give alms, offerings and practical resources as our church family has need.

Honoring God and expressing gratitude for who He is and what He does.
(Exodus 15, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 148, Matthew 26:26)

Praising God is the activity of God’s creatures in honoring God because of the acts and the nature of God. Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude to God for his care and concern, especially as shown through his redemptive acts. These are practices observed through both the old and new testaments.

Sharing our faith, making disciples, baptizing and teaching others to obey all that Jesus has commanded.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

The last words of Jesus are known as the great commission. It is the call to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded, and to know that Jesus is with us the whole time. This is why the church exists and still grows, because there are yet still more people that need to know about the forgiveness of sin and the restoration of their life and relationships both to God and to one another.

The other essential practices that the church was devoted to are fruit and fuel for this Great Commission. As God's people grew in number, these practices below helped them grow in maturity and unity so that they could continue to know God and make him known.

We are committed to developing leaders and leading the local church with faithfulness and in humility as we steward the gifts and responsibilities God has placed on us.  God has given leadership to the church that is gifted yet imperfect therefore we aspire to lead and steward the church diligently with humility and love towards God and one another.
(Ephesians 4:1-16, I Timothy 3:1-13)

The NT Scriptures call believers to love, respect and support the leadership of the local church.
(I Peter 5:5, Hebrews 13:7,17, I Timothy 5:17-21, I Thessalonians 5:12-13)

When you were physically born, God placed you in a specific home with parents to feed, clothe, mature, and care for you. When you were born again as a Christian, you were born into a spiritual family with a new Father and new brothers and sisters. God's Word teaches that the primary way He calls us to relate to one another is as a family. (Matthew 12:50; Mark 10:29-30; 1 Corinthians 4:15; Ephesians 2:19, 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 5:1-2).

So while the worldwide church is our spiritual family in the broadest sense, God desires to place each one of His children in a particular local church where he or she can be personally nurtured and matured.

• "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." -- Matthew 16:18
• "Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior." -- Ephesians 5:25
• "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." -- 1 Corinthians 12:18
• "God sets the solitary in families: He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land." -- Psalm 68:6

God places you in a family to help nurture you and for you to help nurture others. In order for you to develop as a human, you don't just need friends, you need a family that is mutually devoted to one another.

Ultimately, God is the One who decides for us where He wants to place us; our job is to discern and obey. How can you know what church God is calling you to be a part of?

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

• Do you enjoy this church and the people?
• Do you see biblical faithfulness and fruit in this family?
• Do you see people here living the Christian life that you want to emulate?
• Does your spirit resonate with the purposes and values of this church?
• Can you trust these leaders to be your leaders?

Keep in mind that God does not always place us where we are most comfortable - if we are too comfortable, we are probably not being stretched enough! But there should be a recognition that God is using this church and people to help you grow in Christ.

Committing to God's family transports you into an entirely new dimension of life in Christ.

Here are some of the benefits:

1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." What you truly believe about your Heavenly Father is revealed in how you relate to his family. 

Jesus said that our oneness would reveal to the world God's reality (John 17:23). Your willingness to engage in an imperfect community reveals to the world the love of God and His power to change lives.

The bottom line is that disconnected body parts quickly die. We receive nourishment and encouragement through others, and we grow by ministering to others. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Friends can't mature you the way family does. As you learn to love and be loved by those who are different than you, you experience a new level of maturity. (Hebrews 12:7, 11)

In a church family, we enjoy the security of long-term, intimate relationships. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Hebrews 10:25)

Just like an eye or a foot in a human body, we understand who we are and what we do in the context of the other parts. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 18)

The amount of fruit in our life is proportional to how well we are connected and contributing to Christ and His body. (John 15:4-10)

'Wander' means,"to move about without definite destination or purpose; to go astray." Instead of living a powerful, purposeful life, many Christians live dry and fruitless lives because they wander outside of belonging to a spiritual family. Like a tumbleweed they may visit many places, but never put down roots and therefore never bear lasting fruit.

In contrast to wandering tumbleweeds are planted trees: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green..." (Psalm 92:12-14)
 
When we are rooted in a local church, we receive the nourishment and pruning we need to live fruitful, abundant lives.
Each person needs to decide, "Do I want to be a tumbleweed or a tree?"

Will you put down roots and receive the life of God through the ministry of His church?
 
Will you commit your time, treasure, and talents to a specific spiritual family of believers?

People may visit on a Sunday or attend regularly, but a person who chooses to belong has a long-term practical investment in the people and purposes of our church family.

As you begin to invest in healthy practices and relationships, investing your time, talents, finances, prayers, and service, you will grow and thrive.

We believe everyone needs to belong to a local church family so we would like to invite you to join our family and mission.

Together we can Honor God and Make Disciples in our city.

We can build a multi-ethnic and multi-generational community that is reaching, reconciling, and restoring people to Christ, His people and His purposes.

We can build Acts 2 Community right here in the rainy city of Seattle.

All we need is you.

Will you make Every Nation Church your spiritual family? 

Some people are called to belong at Every Nation for a season, some perhaps for years, or some for a lifetime.

No matter how long you are called to belong here, we want you to know that there are healthy ways to leave when God calls you to do so.

We ask that every person walk through this healthy relational approach to leaving in order to leave well.

When an individual or family begins to question if they should leave ENCS, the leadership of ENCS desires to have the opportunity to talk with the individual/family to discuss options. It is best if the discussion is well in advance of any changes. Open communication is important in these kinds of situations.

The leadership of ENCS as well as the individual/family will commit to praying about the possible change and seek God's heart. Questions to ask at this time can be along the lines of:

• Why are we doing this?
• Where are we going?
• To what Kingdom purpose is this move directed?
• What things would we be exchanging if we changed churches? What new blessings and potential problems or challenges would be involved

These are all very challenging questions that the Lord can use to unearth possible pain or clarify motives. We encourage you to journal and process what you are sensing as you prayerfully ponder these things.

Explore if there are any unresolved issues that may be present. E.g.,

• Are there any offenses between you and another member, attender, or leader?
• Are there significant doctrinal differences?
• Are there leadership decisions or actions that upset you or with which you disagree?
• Is there any evidence of running from an issue?

Some guiding texts to consider are:

• "It is to one's glory to overlook an offense." -- Prov. 19:11
• "If it is possible, as fas as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." -- Rom. 12:18
• "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." --Mark 11:25-26

We value every opportunity to maintain the unity in the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:3).

Some questions to consider are:

• What are we going to say when others ask us why the move was necessary? Consider how you might answer this to both close friends in the church, as well as acquaintances.
• If there are areas of disagreement, what are we going to say?
• How can the sending become a blessing to the Body of Christ?

We would value the opportunity to pray for you and send you out with a blessing. Some situations warrant a public forum, but most will take place in a private setting. Our goal is to be "Kingdom minded” and not merely focused on ENCS. By releasing you into another church family, everyone can win while the Kingdom expands.