VENTURA COUNTY FRIENDS
Are we starting a church?
Not in the way you’re probably thinking.
To all of our friends in Ventura County, part of my (Andrew) role at NOVO will be to focus on what God is doing here in Ventura County. Simply put, the resources and coaching we are able to offer for Churches and Christians globally, we will provide locally for those in Ventura County. So what does that mean, really?
First, let me ask you…what would it look like if Christians, who discovered their calling, were surrounded by believers with the same passion and purpose? What impact would that community make in their neighborhoods or network of friends?
Now, imagine with me, what if there were 50, or 100, or 300 or more groups scattered all throughout the county? Would that family of Christian communities change the world around them? I think so!
So what’s it going to take to see this happen? What is it going to take to see the 60% of our population, who will never enter into what you and I call a “church”, experience God’s love?
It’s going to mean stripping down how we do church to the core essentials. It’s going to take returning to the core of what it means to be the church - community, worship, and mission. It’s going to mean changing our posture from merely asking people to come and see to actively going and becoming the church right where they are, outside the four walls of our buildings. It means trusting God when you have more questions than answers.
And, for those of you who do have questions, although we may not be able to answer all of them here, some we can below.
FAQs
So, are you starting a church or is this something else?
When you think of church, what comes to mind?
If “Sunday mornings”, “buildings”, “worship services”, or “programs” are your first thoughts, then no, we’re not starting a church.
But if you think of the book of Acts with the ideas of community, worship, and mission at the core of what it means to be the church, then the answer is yes.
And to be honest, our heart is not to start “a church”. Rather, we want to see a network or family of churches develop all throughout Ventura County.
We want to do this by walking alongside leaders as they discover their calling, build community (mini-churches) around them, and live their lives centered on the mission to make new disciples of Jesus.
Can you be part of an existing church in Ventura County and still be part of what we’re doing?
YES! Of course.
Our heart is to love, serve, and resource Christians to do what God has called them to do! Right where they’re at!
Help! I still don’t get it.
Don’t worry, I still have questions too. Someone once told me, “if you had all your questions answered, you’d take the fun out of the adventure.”
So, if you’re looking for all your questions answered, you won’t find it here. But if you sense God calling you into an adventure beyond yourself, come join us!
What can I expect next?
If you want to know more about what we’ll be doing, then please let us know below and we will contact you.
Wanna know more?
Let us know and we’ll keep you updated.
Some people are satisfied with the status quo. But if you’re not, and you want to live a life worthy of the calling that you’ve received, then join us!
andrew.carroll@novo.org
(805) 340-6018