Christianity 101Christianity 101Congregation Benim AvrahamCongregation Benim Avraham

Diocese of La Porte, TexasDiocese of La Porte, TexasChristian Church, Synod of St. Christian Church, Synod of St.

TimothyTimothy

Part 6Part 6

Our CongregationOur Congregation

Benim AvrahamBenim Avraham

Children of Abraham because we are Children of Abraham because we are Abraham’s Children by faith.Abraham’s Children by faith.

We are currently a house church as was the We are currently a house church as was the first church.first church.

We meet Sunday for the Eucharist, We meet Sunday for the Eucharist, Wednesday for HealingWednesday for Healing Discussion encouraged.Discussion encouraged.

Christian Church, Synod of St. TimothyChristian Church, Synod of St. Timothy

The Christian Church of St. Timothy is an The Christian Church of St. Timothy is an association of clergy and churches.association of clergy and churches.

Currently we have three congregations, several Currently we have three congregations, several health care ministries.health care ministries.

We have four Bishops, one Presbyter and one We have four Bishops, one Presbyter and one Deacon.Deacon.

We believe in the importance of local Bishops We believe in the importance of local Bishops and local liturgy as found in the early church.and local liturgy as found in the early church.

Our PeopleOur People

The Bishop is our chief pastor, and may be in charge The Bishop is our chief pastor, and may be in charge of up to 15 congregations. (A Bishop is in unbroken of up to 15 congregations. (A Bishop is in unbroken succession back to the Apostles) succession back to the Apostles)

Presbyters aid the Bishop in spiritual concerns and Presbyters aid the Bishop in spiritual concerns and may direct the local congregations.may direct the local congregations.

Deacons aid the Bishop in helping the poor and the Deacons aid the Bishop in helping the poor and the needy.needy.

The Laity are the people of the church.The Laity are the people of the church.

LaityLaity

Are to evangeliseAre to evangelise May participate as acolytes, readers, May participate as acolytes, readers,

subdeacons, ushers or more.subdeacons, ushers or more. May participate as home group leaders.May participate as home group leaders. Sustain the church through their donations.Sustain the church through their donations.

OfferingsOfferings

25% goes to the Bishop to live on and for 25% goes to the Bishop to live on and for evangelism and missionevangelism and mission

25% goes to the local clergy for salary and to 25% goes to the local clergy for salary and to maintain the sanctuary.maintain the sanctuary.

25% goes to maintaining the building. 25% goes to maintaining the building. Anything left over is to go to missionAnything left over is to go to mission

25% is to help the poor and needy.25% is to help the poor and needy.

GovernmentGovernment

Christian Church, Synod of St. Timothy is Christian Church, Synod of St. Timothy is governed by the Episcopal Council and a governed by the Episcopal Council and a Synod which takes places trienniallySynod which takes places triennially

Local Congregations are governed by the Local Congregations are governed by the Bishop in council with the presbyters, and Bishop in council with the presbyters, and selected laity.selected laity.

Our GoalsOur Goals

Our congregations should have no more than Our congregations should have no more than 90 people.90 people.

Our diocese should have no more than 15 Our diocese should have no more than 15 congregations.congregations.

To evangelise south east Texas.To evangelise south east Texas.

Our ServicesOur Services

Holy Eucharist, 10:00 Sundays and Holy Days Holy Eucharist, 10:00 Sundays and Holy Days as announced.as announced.

Healing Services, Wednesday at 7:00Healing Services, Wednesday at 7:00 The Holy Eucharist uses the ancient Liturgy of The Holy Eucharist uses the ancient Liturgy of

St. James. All present are encouraged to join St. James. All present are encouraged to join in discussion of the lessons.in discussion of the lessons.

We also use the Apostolic Constitutions during We also use the Apostolic Constitutions during the week.the week.

We encourage participationWe encourage participation

Each service has one or more readings, after Each service has one or more readings, after which there is a discussion. We desire that all which there is a discussion. We desire that all participate, regardless of age that we all build participate, regardless of age that we all build each other up. The Bishop or presbyter keeps each other up. The Bishop or presbyter keeps things on track.things on track.

To become a memberTo become a member

Prospective members take Christianity 101Prospective members take Christianity 101 Prospective members join a Home Prospective members join a Home

Encouragement groupEncouragement group Attend classes with a presbyter or Bishop.Attend classes with a presbyter or Bishop. Become member by being baptised and or Become member by being baptised and or

chrismated or received by the Bishop.chrismated or received by the Bishop.

BaptismsBaptisms

Great Vigil of EasterGreat Vigil of Easter Pentecost SundayPentecost Sunday All Saints SundayAll Saints Sunday Feast of the Baptism of JesusFeast of the Baptism of Jesus

MembersMembers

Are expected to participate in Home Are expected to participate in Home Encouragement GroupsEncouragement Groups

To offer at least a tithe to support the church To offer at least a tithe to support the church and its missionand its mission

To attend church services regularly and To attend church services regularly and receive communion regularlyreceive communion regularly

Join the church in fasting and praying.Join the church in fasting and praying. To evangelise.To evangelise.

MembersMembers

Are encouraged to read and study the BibleAre encouraged to read and study the Bible PrayPray Be in Home Encouragement groupsBe in Home Encouragement groups Help in the liturgy as acolytes etc.Help in the liturgy as acolytes etc. Be involved with healing.Be involved with healing. To help those in needTo help those in need

Home Encouragement GroupsHome Encouragement Groups

Meet WeeklyMeet Weekly Pray over each other’s needsPray over each other’s needs Encourage one another in piety, study, Encourage one another in piety, study,

holiness and evangelism,holiness and evangelism, Build each other up.Build each other up. Basic unit of the church after the familyBasic unit of the church after the family

Our congregation Our congregation

Is a house of prayer for all people, dedicated to Is a house of prayer for all people, dedicated to knowing Christ, and making him known, knowing Christ, and making him known, through healing, liberation and deliverance. through healing, liberation and deliverance.