New to Grace
FAQ
What is the schedule of services?
Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:30 am. P3KIDZ, our children’s ministry is available during the service to provide age appropriate and fun learning times for children age 4 through 6th grade. Our nursery is located at the southeast corner of the church building and is staffed during this time as well. For our youth, grades 7 through 12, we also offer Epic Student Ministries on Wednesday nights starting at 6:30 pm in the International Cafe. Also, we offer a ministry for college students and young adults, Relentless, on Monday nights at 7 p.m. in the International Cafe.
How should I dress?
Most people dress casually. Please dress as you see fit.
Is Grace Community Church affiliated with a denomination?
No. Our church family is made up of people from various denominational and non-denominational backgrounds. We are united in our desire to worship God together, ground our lives in the Word of God, and pursue the fulfillment of the Great Commission as a team.
How is the church led?
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the sole Head of GCC, the Leader before whom all human leaders must submit. He communicates His will and leads His church:
- Primarily through the Word of God, the Bible.
- Secondarily through the Holy Spirit residing in the hearts of all believers, constituting a royal priesthood who commune directly with the high priest, Jesus Christ.
- Finally, through qualified, commissioned men and women who serve in various positions of leadership.
On a human level, three groups of people direct the ministries of Grace Community Church. Those groups are the elders, the deacons, and the ministry council.
The elders are members of the body who provide general watchcare and oversight. They continually evaluate the teaching ministry of the church and review major ministry decisions and strategic initiatives. They use their wisdom, discernment and shepherding gifts to ensure the church remains on a true biblical course. Scripture indicates that the ultimate human decision-making authority in the church rests with the elders.
The deacons are made up of members of the church selected by the congregation and empowered by the elders to oversee legal and financial matters, the distribution of church resources and to provide for the care and maintenance of all properties owned or rented by the church.
Finally, the ministry council is made up of paid staff and volunteers that direct the day-to-day affairs of the ministries of the church. The ministry council’s main job is to build and coordinate teams of volunteers so that ministry can happen.
The way the three groups work together can best be stated as follows: the ministry council directs the ministries of the church; these ministries are supported by the policies and financial allocations determined by the deacons; and all the activities of the church are carried out under the watchcare, leadership and supervision of the elders.
This cooperative structure provides a framework wherein the local fellowship lives and functions to bring honor and glory to God, and working together with other fellowships (comprising the church of Hunt County), to build the kingdom of God.
Is Grace Community Church Charismatic or Non-Charismatic?
Is Grace Community Church a charismatic church, a non-charismatic church, or neither? Many sincere Christians ask us this question. What follows is designed to help those who desire the “short answer.” For those interested in greater depth, Doug Bannister’s book, The Word and Power Church, offers excellent insight into our approach to the issue. Our pastor can provide you with a copy if you would like to read it.
The short answer to the question is that we use neither “charismatic” nor “non-charismatic” to describe Grace. However, this is not because we don’t identify with both traditions. Charismatic’s in general believe in a second anointing of the Holy Spirit after salvation and stress participatory worship, prayer, and the application of all of the gifts of the Spirit, including prophecy, healing, and tongues. Those that are not part of the charismatic tradition emphasize the completeness of the Bible as the Word of God, expository preaching, and the need to teach believers how to think in a Christian worldview.
At Grace Community Church, we agree in many respects with both charismatic’s and non-charismatics. We want to develop the whole Christian experience, which includes both the supreme authority of the Word of God and the Biblical application of spiritual gifts in a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. We realize that God may give each of us a “charismatic” or “non-charismatic” bent in terms of personality and spiritual gifting, but both are essential to God’s plan for the Church. The elders at Grace come from various Christian traditions, but desire to lead the local body in a manner that generates tolerance and appreciation for both.
Our sincere desire is to move beyond the charismatic debate as we welcome believers from all backgrounds who seek a complete Christian experience. We are not there yet, but with God’s guidance and an appreciation for the diversity within His family, we think we’re moving in the right direction. We invite you to experience God’s grace at our church.
What are life groups?
Life Groups create predictable and authentic environments for people to connect with God and each other. Through Bible study and prayer, Life Groups generate an atmosphere of encouragement as well as challenge to grow in faith. Life Groups are essential to the life of our church. In a Life Group, you can expect to eat, make friends and study topics from Biblical perspectives.
For information on joining a Life Group click here for more information or contact Holly Hempstead (holly@abcresources.net).
