Tips on forming a CORE

There seems to be hesitation among the people on the email groups regarding the formation of Congregations of Record. Here are some tips toward simplifying the understanding of that process.

1. Congregations are not complicated

Forming a Congregation of Record is simply the choice of a common “minister” (public servant) by 2 – 10 elders of families. If you and one other recognize the “minister” nature of another individual, discuss it among the three of you and see if this is a starting point of a Congregation. See if you can find enough common ground to decide to repeatedly come together to help each other and other congregations like yours.

2. Distance is not critical

How far away is the office of US government public servant that serves your area? In a similar way, your His Church minister may be quite a distance from where you live. We have numerous technologies we can use to connect as if we were in the same room. While it is true that additional opportunities avail themselves if we are “local”, if we start now with what we have, we can better prepare to “hit the ground running” as we discover others nearby willing to share our journey. Congregations will form and re-form as we reach more people who are closer together. Don’t let distance be a stumbling block to getting involved.

3. “Ministers” are not what you’ve been trained to think they are

We are all familiar with how a “minister” looks and functions in the modern church. Remove that model from your mind. In a “His Church” Congregation, the “Minister” is simply who the families in congregation think might be the best capable of serving the needs of the congregation, and also being a communication point with the other congregations. He does not need to be the smartest person in the room, or the one who knows the most about the bible. He is not there to be a go-between between you and God. Think of a minister as someone who will take on the responsibility of making sure nobody in your congregation get left behind in a time of need. It is someone who can take the time to know the 2 – 10 families who have chosen him/her well enough to know when they need assistance and discern what kind of assistance will help the needy become strong again.

It is worth stating again that minister is a position of service, not power. In the Kingdom, the ultimate position of power rests with the Elders (see below). The Elders determine the purpose, direction and flavor of the congregation. The minister is there only to aid with that task, to help keep the Elders connected, and to maintain communication with other congregations through their ministers.

4. “Elders” are natural

Every family has an “Elder” – someone who is the decider or provider or even the eldest. “Elder” is a family office, and families may have different ways of determining who is the Elder. Today’s broken families can blur this concept quite a bit, but let’s say that we can find agreement among at least part of your family on who can be considered the “Elder”. The elder of your family would be the one who can make time to interact with the other families and the minister in congregation. Contrast that image to many of the modern churches who “elect” elders to sit on a board and handle the funds of the church. Now remove that from your mind. The “Elder” of your family presents offerings to be used by the minister as he is guided by the Holy Spirit for Christ’s purposes.

5. There is no need to abandon your current “church”

Many fear that if they choose to freely assemble in a His Church Congregation that they will be choosing to leave the “church” they currently fellowship with. That is not the case. Assembling with others in a His Church Congregation is making known your choice to help your brothers in need by free will offerings so they will not need to pray to those who will provide assistance by forcing neighbors to contribute. It is turning around from the way men who lack faith have provided for the needy since Cain created his first city-state and instead pursuing a Godly inspired caring for our neighbor by free will offerings. It is a life direction. It is repentance. You may even become an example to follow for those in that “church” given eyes to see what you are doing.

6. Offerings are given entirely to the minister (burnt up)

You choose your minister as someone you trust to best perform the wishes of Christ as guided by the Holy Spirit. As part of that “trust”, any offerings you make to him to accomplish that goal are given entirely. You give up all control of your offering trusting that the minister will use it as Christ would. You do not get to direct how those offerings are applied. It is casting your bread upon the water in hopes that they may return should you become the one in need some day. You may “suggest” to the minister your intent, but it is his to decide. This relationship allows you to retain your freedom in all other aspects of life besides what you have given as a gift.

7. Every day is “election day” in the kingdom

The “check” or “balance” to the trust you place in your minister is that you, as an “Elder”, keep watch over how the resources given to him are used. If your minister begins to use offerings in a way you think is not led by the Holy Spirit, you should approach him for an explanation. In the case where a resolution cannot be arrived at, you have the option, and perhaps even the responsibility to choose another minister to give to. Just remember we’re all figuring this out and forgiveness will be necessary by all so that we may be forgiven.

8. Give as you are led by the Holy Spirit

When we give to those we trust will make the best use of our offering, we create a flow of life for the body of Messiah. Without blood flow a body dies. Giving is proactive. We give to strengthen our society. We give to draw near to our heavenly Father. Giving exercises spiritual muscles that we may have neglected. Being thankful for the opportunity to give molds us into the cheerful givers spoken of in scripture.

What I’m trying to convey by all this is not to be afraid of creating or becoming part of a Congregation of record. We learn by doing. We will make mistakes. That presents opportunity for forgiveness. As we work at this together, we will realize better and more effective ways to cooperate and strengthen our society. The more we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, the more opportunities will be presented to us. But none of this can become reality for you if you don’t take the first step. Nobody else can do that for you. There are ministers and elders willing to give you a hand up. Reach out to them. If you are unsure, ask – seek – knock. Serving an infinite God means an infinite journey. It’s time to take the next step – together.

There are people all over the world looking to get started on the path back to our Father’s ways. Use these e-mail groups as a tool to find each other. That’s why you are hear after all. Right?

Some current Congregations of Record

His Church at Summer Lake –Oregon

His Church at Wilsonville – Oregon

His Church at Holy Sacrament - California

His Church at Long’s Peak – Colorado

His Church at Loess Hills – Nebraska/Iowa

His Church at James River – Wyoming and the Dakotas

His Church at Lake of the Oaks – Missouri

His Church at Lake Country – Wisconsin and nation-wide

His Church at Ouichita - Texas

His Church at Skytop Mountain – New England area

His Church at ?? – you tell me

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