So you might be looking at all the cool info about Antioch and still have some questions.  That's great!  Here we've taken our most asked questions and gave it the ole' 1-2 to see if we can answer them.  If you find that after going through this, you still have questions, feel free to send us an email and we will try to give you an answer.

How is your church different from others in your area?

Our goal is to be a church planting movement that shifts from the idea of bringing people in to sending people out.  See our WHAT WE DO section for more details.

What is expected of me if I come to your church?

We just ask that you are real and open. 

What do I have to wear to fit in?

We ask that you wear clothes. 

Do we have to meet in a house?

To answer that question plainly, absolutely not.  We will meet in various places and times depending on what we are doing.  Gathering will take place in larger public venues (such as parks) while Simple Churches and LTGs will take place anywhere that is feasible for the people in them.

What about my kids?

We value children!  Our style of church is open to many possibilities of how to do this.  First and foremost, we believe the best teaching for children takes place in the home.  We will strive to offer ways of helping parents learn how to raise there children in a Godly way.  Life Churches will tend to look different, each having their own “feel” and style.  With that said, our goal is that EVERY Life Church with children will have a plan on how to best provide a Christ-centered environment for them.  That may be as simple as hiring a babysitter for the night to having your older children participate in the discussions along with the adults. If you have a child, we will have something for them.  Our Gatherings will also have age specific child care as well.

How does tithe work?

From the beginning, our entire tithe that comes in for Antioch will be spilt into two areas.  The first will be into Engaging the world.  This means that money will be specifically used by the Life Churches to reach people in need of help (inside the Life Church and outside the Life Church).  It could be to help offset the costs of babysitting for a couple who can’t afford it.  It could be to put a roof on a neighbor’s house.  One thing is set though.  There must be a relational tie with those we are helping.

The other part is Engaging God.  This will be to help specific ministry costs dealing with raising disciples such as, leadership training, retreats, website, support for the Church Planter, planting new Life Churches etc..

How big is Antioch - that is, what size area do you plan to include in your outreach?

This is the beauty of Antioch.  There are no size restrictions.  At the time of this writing we are currently focusing on Mason County, but we look forward to the day that we are starting other Life Church networks in other communities.

What kind of people might be interested in this model of church rather than the traditional model and why?

Any kind of people really could be interested in this model. We are not targeting any specific age group or genre.  Every Life Church and LTG has the power to address the style of people involved in them.  So those who are interested will most likely know someone already in one.    

What is the strategy for raising up disciples?

Giving people the opportunity to follow Jesus is more than just information.  It is transformation.  It goes beyond the classroom and curriculum to the setting of life and all it contains.  That is why we focus on Life Transformation Groups (see LTG section).  These groups are relationally driven and the intent is to let each person partner with Christ on their own through reading scripture and praying while providing the prayer support, accountability and partnership in following Jesus with a couple others in a way that permeates their walk with Christ in all areas of life.

How do I, as a Life Church leader, raise up disciples? (See question above)

Your role is to be a guide to them in modeling the life of LTG, Life Church, and living passionately for Christ.  Besides that, Antioch goes to extra measures to make sure our Life Church Leaders are continually poured into and freed from “church stuff” so that they can open theirs lives to live alongside those they are mentoring.

If I was already part of a church and interested in joining Antioch, how long of a commitment do I need to make?

We ask that you prayerfully consider a three year commitment.  Please contact Randy if you are interested in exploring what Antioch is all about.

What are my expectations as a Life Church Leader?

·       Live a passionate life of one desperate for the things of Jesus.

·       Lead/Co-lead a Life Church base on an Acts 2 community.

·       Be part of an active Life Transformation Group (LTG)

·       Be active in the Harvest Workers (MANDATORY)

·       Come to our Gatherings.

Overall this turns into about one night and two mornings a week.  Our goal is to keep our leaders’ time commitments to a minimum so that they can focus on investing relationally with those in their Life Church and investing missionally with the community around them.

Am I expected to lead a group right away?

NO.  In fact we encourage you to grow in our missional community, and let the DNA of what we are about infuse into you first.  There are no timelines, rigid plans, or exact expectations.  Over and over again in the history of God’s people, He does two things with them.  The first He fills them with His Holy Spirit, and then He sends them out to the world.  We believe that as you grow, the Holy Spirit will work in you and will give you the right timing.

I don’t think I know enough about the Bible, how am I supposed to lead a group? (See above)

This will happen as you grow in Christ, pray and are mentored. Then God works on your heart until you have no other desire!  Remember though that grounding in the Bible is something we all continue to grow in.  We measure more by intangible fruit such as living a life of being faithful to Jesus, being available to the Life church and LTGs, being teachable and able to respond to the challenges by leadership and the Holy Spirit, and being desperate for Jesus.  This is some of the important stuff.

Do we really have to constantly split up our groups?  I like all the people in my group, can we just stay together?

In Antioch, there is no such thing as “splitting” groups.  We are not about division.  Any new activity will always find it’s origin in God works in the hearts of those involved and sending them to join in His work.  Hopefully if you ever become a part of Antioch this question will be replaced with, “Where is God at work in my life, and how can I follow Him?”

What if our Life Church doesn’t know where to reach out to?

Antioch leadership will be there to provide guidance and support with this.

 How will I keep from getting burnt out?

Harvest Workers will be specifically designed to raise up and send out leadership. It will also provide a network of support and encouragement for you with deeper prayer and worship than what is offered at the gatherings. 

 Once the number of small cell groups begins to multiply, what do you envision the structure being to maintain Biblical principles/integrity among the groups so that heresy does not develop?

There will be two main avenues to address this.  The first each leader will be involved in a LTGs.  They will be held accountable by their peers through these groups and have a considerable intake of scripture (in context) every week.  The second avenue is the accountability to leadership through their involvement in Harvest Workers.