Connections Simple Church Success Ministries History and Ministry Overview:
Connections Ministries was founded by John Parker in 1993 as a church emphasizing house church or small group style ministries. Its purpose has remained unchanged although it has been relatively inactive since the mid-90’s.
After a pause of 15 years or so when he pastored a United Methodist Church in Chowchilla, California, founder, John Parker, is once again pursuing coaching and training of house church planters, facilitators and participants as originally planned through Connections Simple Church Success (SCS). “The Lord had more work to do within me,” says Parker.
Connections Simple Church Success’ vision is to empower and connect with each other especially through relational gatherings of two or more people, those interested better knowing Jesus Christ and living out his kingdom life fully.
The gatherings help us build one another up with love, hope, and faith. We will be able to network with one another without the need for purchasing buildings or excessive professional assistance.
We are about keeping church as simple as possible to allow room for full participation and interactive response. Love, truth, gentleness and respect are sought to guide the interactions and to avoid undue chaos.
SCS’ four main activities are: 1. Recruitment; 2. Training; 3. Small Group Meetings; 4. Networking Events.
Activity 1: Recruitment
- 1. What is the activity?
Discovering those who may be interested in simple church leadership and/or participation.
- 2. Who conducts the activity?
SCS associates
- 3. When is the activity conducted?
Through various marketing outlets such as the newspaper, paid and social media online, radio community service announcements, flyers,
- 4. Where is the activity conducted?
At available training, classroom settings in various Central Valley locations initially, online through tele-seminars, and other locations as the need arises.
- 5. How does the activity further your exempt purpose.
It discovers ministry volunteers who in turn find others and grow the church.
- 6. How is the activity funded?
Donations to Connections Ministries.
Activity 2: Leadership Training
- 1. What is the activity?
Training participants in small group, spiritual life, and inter-personal leadership skills.
- 2. Who conducts the activity?
SCS leaders as well as visiting ministries leaders whose curriculum compliments the main training program.
- 3. When is the activity conducted?
On weekends and nights and at other special events as needed.
- 4. Where is the activity conducted?
In the Chowchilla California area, outlying communities, online, and any other location where interested participants may be willing to gather.
- 5. How does the activity further your exempt purpose.
Leadership skills will help develop and maintain small and house groups through coaching and training of new participants.
- 6. How is the activity funded?
Donations to Connections Ministries.
Activity 3: Simple Church Meetings
- 1. What is the activity?
Small group ministries in houses or other suitable gathering places.
- 2. Who conducts the activity?
Those who attend the group take turns participating in the event.
- 3. When is the activity conducted?
On days and times agreed upon by participants
- 4. Where is the activity conducted?
In the Chowchilla, California area, outlying communities, online, by phone, and at any other location where Connections Simple Church Success affiliates wish to gather and meet together.
- 5. How is the activity funded?
Offerings to Connections ministries.
Activity 4: Networking Events
- 1. What is the activity?
Regional gatherings to network, celebrate, and rally the small groups.
- 2. Who conducts the activity?
SCS leadership and associates
- 3. When is the activity conducted?
Monthly, quarterly, and annually as the number of groups grow. Bigger regions will meet less often, groups in closer proximity will meet more often.
- 4. Where is the activity conducted?
At various locations suitable to the gathering region.
- 5. How does the activity further your exempt purpose.
As groups are encouraged by networking they will remain engaged in outreach and service.
- 6. How is the activity funded?
Offerings to Connections ministries.
Other names for doing business:
In association with Connections Ministries, Inc. the following names are used:
Simple Church Success
SimpleChurchSuccess.com
Simplechurch4u (Twitter)
Online locations. Also see website pages attached with schedule A.
Website: http://www.simplechurchsuccess.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/simplechurchsuccess
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/simplechurch4u
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/2557521?trk=tyah
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/simplechurchsuccess/videos
Connections Simple Church Success Ministries Statement of Faith:
We believe…
- In the entire Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God over our faith and practice.
- In one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Creator and Lord of all.
- In the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God – fully God and fully man – conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, sinless, crucified to death, buried, risen, ascended into heaven, and now seated at the right hand of God the Father.
- In the baptism, filling, leading, utterance, gifts, and fruit the Holy Spirit.
- In the personal, individual salvation of believers through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
- In the sanctification of heart and life through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit.
- In divine healing, through faith in the name and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
- In the holy, universal church of Jesus Christ and communion of all believers.
- In the imminent, personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- In the resurrection of the dead into eternal life or loss.
On our differences we submit to Romans 14 and are very careful and respectful about differences.
We can be a model of the church on earth Jesus prayed for in John 17.
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ” (John 17:11, ESV)
We are called upon and capable of teaching and helping one another.
Paul affirms this when he writes: “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. ” (Romans 15:14, ESV)
We ”must not be quarrelsome” as we share.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ”
(2 Timothy 2:24, ESV)
In necessariis unitas,
In essentials unity,
In dubiis libertas,
In doubtful things liberty,
In omnibus autem caritas,
But in all things love