A Non-Traditionally Gathered Faith Community
A non-traditionally-gathered (in their homes or online) Faith Community provides an alternative way for people, who are seeking God, to connect in smaller groups and environments, similar to those which constituted all of the churches of the New Testament era. Our attendees have called this Connection an oasis and a safe haven that has given them healing, encouragement, and practical wisdom and insight to deal with real life.
Long before the global pandemic that swept the world in 2020, over 112 million Believers worldwide were already meeting in their homes: Mostly because they were forced to, and others because they chose to do it. We know that a non-traditionally gathered Faith community (in their homes or online) is often viewed as a group of people who attempt to escape structure, accountability, or sound Biblical instruction. However, Fruitful Life offers compassion, connection, covering and care to help build people.
Every year, one million Believers in the United States alone, were already leaving the institutional church-setting, seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. We have been positioned to provide community for some of them.
Weekly Online Gatherings
Every week we gather online from all across the United States and the world, to pray with and for one another, hear testimonies of what God has been doing in our families and Faith communities, and to hear a powerful, apostolic and encouraging word from the Fruitful Life founders or special guests.
Join our Midweek Connection HERE
Home-gathering Faith Community
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Each community/ group meets in a home or some type of facility.
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Each community/group has a leader/ facilitator.
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Each community/group leader is encouraged to utilize our Online Tools and Resources (See Home Group Tools),
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Each community/ group leader is encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities for personal and professional growth, in Fruitful Life Education (See STEP Forward Courses).
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Watch Home-gathering Testimonials:
Home-gathering Agenda (Six Components)
Bible-Centered Conversation
We encourage home-gathering leaders to access and follow the Home Connection weekly lessons (HERE).
We also encourage the use of the Fruitful Life Legacy Media Reference and Resource Library (HERE).
During the Home Connection conversations we allow time for questions and participation by every attendee.
Prayer
We strive to be a praying faith family. We pray for each other; we pray for needs and the releasing of God's power and purpose; we pray for our local, national and international governmental leaders; we pray for our spiritual leaders; we pray for families and friends; and we pray to the Lord of the Harvest that more laborers will be thrust out into the field of humanity to bring lost souls into the Kingdom of God. We also have access to an Online Prayer Watch: a Prayer Agenda, Prayer Guides and two Prayer Channels.
Fellowship
We encourage home-gathering leaders to make time for casual conversation, allowing attendees to "catch up' on one another's lives. In particular, we encourage the sharing of a meal either before or after gatherings. This will foster fellowship that extends well beyond the weekly gathering.
Worship
We encourage home-gathering leaders to enlist those who have gifts in music, singing and leading others in songs of worship. If such a person is not available, we encourage the use of technology, (CD's, DVDs or YouTube, Vimeo and other online video resources) that can provide songs of worship.
Communion
We take the Lord's Supper in a reverent attitude as He commanded. This simple act, which involves self examination, keeps us in remembrance of the what our Lord and Savior has done for us. (1 Cor. 11:23-29).
Giving (Time, Talents, Treasure)
We encourage everyone to give of their time, talents and treasure. We encourage all to volunteer their time and skills in their local community initiatives and to become regular and consistent supporters with their finances as well.
Tithes and offerings are collected, but they are used primarily for missions locally and abroad (See Outreach), and the equipping and training of home-gathering leaders in our online education platform. Since there is minimal overhead, and the tithes and offerings aren't used to maintain a typical brick-and-mortar facility with a large staff, the Home-gathering model effectively costs very little money to keep it thriving and expanding.
Getting Started
If you launch a non-Traditional gathering, you should start with the people that are already part of your life. Instead of starting a church or a ministry and sending out invitations to random strangers or casual acquaintances, we believe you should start a simple meeting with your immediate family and friends. If your family and friends have a positive and impactful experience, they will invite their family and friends. In this strategy, you will already be engaged in evangelism and discipleship, because you will be connecting with people in your world of influence.