DWC Foundations

VISION STATEMENT

“He Rose Again!”

“Worship Environment”

DWC has a vision of setting up worship environments where people from all walks of life, cultures and Christian backgrounds can feel free to worship. We believe some people feel so  condemned that they are uncomfortable going into a traditional church for fear of being shunned. Our doors are open to all, providing progressive worship, practical biblical teaching, and an inclusive, loving, caring environment for the hurting to experience the love and healing of Christ.

MISSION STATEMENT

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

STATEMENT OF BELIEFS:

DWC holds that Christians must come together, and avoid heated debates over contentious issues, and seek unity among believers (2 Tim 2:23, Titus 3:9). We hold that the entire Word of God is the final authority without error, and that the blood of Jesus, shed for our sins, is the only way to heaven. Our statement of belief can be found in the ancient Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

SALVATION

We believe all people are sinful by nature, born into a world of sin, and need the redemptive work of the cross of Christ. At some point we have all done bad stuff. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
The penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

The cool thing is, Jesus paid the death penalty for all of us, when he was beaten, abused, and put to death on the cross. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
And God raised Jesus from the dead, proving that the Father accepted Jesus sacrifice on our part.

Jesus plan for salvation is simply accepting the free gift that He gave us, repenting of our old ways, and believing on him for salvation. Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  If you never have, take a moment to thank Jesus for paying the death penalty for your sins right now, and ask Him to come into your heart!

PERSONAL GROWTH AND HOLINESS

DWC holds that a believer is motivated by the love ­­­of God to seek his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33). To that end we encourage the believer to build a sturdy table so that they can engage in eating the meat of the Word and not just drink milk (1 Cor 3:2). The Four Legs of that table are:

DAILY WORD AND PRAYER TIME

To grow in the knowledge of God, we read the Word of God, and meditate on it, asking God to speak to us through it. Reading it daily washes our mind with the water of the Word (Eph 5:26). The daily renewal of the mind is important to counteract the mind numbing blast of worldly thinking that is thrown at us daily (Rom 12:2).

DAILY WORSHIP TIME

Worship is a lifestyle. Music is important to God. The Bible says we sing a new song unto the Lord (Psalm 144:9), we enter his gates with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4) and that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Living a lifestyle or praise, worship, and thanksgiving enables us to focus our hearts on the Lord, rather than the cares of this world (Philippians 4:8).

FASTING AND PRAYER

The Bible teaches us to crucify our flesh (Gal 5:24), to resist the enemy (James 4:7), and to deny ourselves (Matt 16:24). Throughout the entire Bible, in the Old Testament and New we see individuals including Jesus engaging in fasting (Matt 4:2). Whether it’s a personal fast like found in Daniel 10, or a corporate fast where people are called to fasting together as in Acts 13:3, we believe that engaging in the discipline of fasting is important for spiritual discipline and development.

SOWING

“Time, Talent & Treasure”

Sowing includes using our time, talent and treasure to serve the Lord. We believe that giving to God is a natural response to all He has given us. Whole chapters of the Bible are dedicated to giving, like 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Philippians 4:18 calls giving a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. Acts 20:35 We must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ DWC receives Tithes and Offerings in accordance with the Word of God after the Word Time portion of the meeting. DWC pays these offerings forward by providing a food pantry area for those who are in need. Church finances are handled by the campus Elder, audited by the campus Pastor, the National leadership, and a third party independent auditor to ensure each penny is spent in line with the DWC mission.

DWC MEETING STRUCTURE

DWC meetings are split into three distinct 30-45 minute portions: Worship Time, Word Time and Wisdom Time

WORSHIP TIME

“God Cares Deeply About Worship”

God cares deeply about worship, as we can see from the description of his throne in Revelations 4. AT DWC our goal is to provide worship music with lyrics that speak directly to God and highlight His attributes, His holiness, and His nature. Worship leaders encourage participants not just to be spectators to worship, but to stand, lift Holy hands in prayer (Psalm 63:4, 1 Tim 2:8), dance before the Lord (Psalm 149:3, 2 Sam 6:14), lay face down before the Lord (Mark 14:35, 1 Kings 18:42) or otherwise physically engage in worship. The goal is to provide an environment where worship is taught, and take that into our daily lives, our commute in the car, or at home.

WORD TIME

DWC provides online curriculum for each of the campuses to use for each weekly service. The intent is to provide practical and useful tips for godly living that people can take home with them and practice in order to get closer to Christ. These can also be used to provide guidance to visiting speakers.

WISDOM TIME

The Parable of the Sower (Matt 13) can come true when people simply walk out the door of the church, flip on their stereo and forget the message before they get home. DWC aims to provide a wisdom rich environment where people can enjoy refreshments and have directed conversation about what they experienced during worship, what they heard the Lord say during the Word time, and how it applies to their lives. During this time we continue playing Worship music and encourage those who feel led to continue in worship before the Lord. Let the seed germinate and not be stolen by the enemy!

DWC LEARDERSHIP STRUCTURE

“Advice & Consent.”

Bishop: Nominated by the senior pastor with advice and consent by the board of pastors. Leads and oversees DWC nationally, sets curriculum, establishes the local Pastors. Accountable to DWC Board of Pastors, and Senior Pastor. (1Tim 3:1)

Senior Pastor: Nominated by the Bishop and with the advice and consent of the board of pastors. National leader who provides insight and guidance to the Bishop, and helps establish national curriculum and guidelines for the governance of DWC.

“Leadership”

Pastor: Set in place by national leadership, and is the primary overseer and preacher for each specific campus, who follows the national curriculum provided for DWC. Runs the local church with the advice and guidance of the others in that ministry, and the guidance of DWC National leadership.

“A warm greeter who is excited to see them may be all a visitor remembers.”

Teacher: Set in place by the campus pastor with the advice and consent of the campus staff and national leadership. Primary back up to the pastor for preaching when the pastor is not available, and other teaching responsibilities in the local campus as directed by the pastor and DWC curriculum. Is responsible to recruit and oversee other teachers if needed.

Elder: Set in place by the campus pastor with the advice and consent of the campus staff and national leadership. Charged with the responsibility of pastoral care, resolving campus and building related issues so the pastor can focus on the ministry. Responsible for oversight of tithes and offerings, ensuring their security and ensuring their safety and audit ability by the pastor. Is the front line contact person to coordinate visits for those who need prayer or pastoral care. Is responsible to oversee a board of elders if needed.

Children's Education Coordinator: Set in place by the campus pastor with the advice and consent of the campus staff and national leadership. Responsible for the safety, security and education of the children entrusted to the campus. Recruits and oversees all people necessary to take care of children's education and a primary backup.

Hospitality: Set in place by the campus pastor with the advice and consent of the campus staff and national leadership. Each visitor must be warmly greeted in the parking lot and at the door, given a contact prayer card to fill out, walked into the sanctuary, introduced around, and made and feel comfortable. During the following week they must receive a call thanking them for their visit, asking if they want prayer or have questions. A warm greeter who is excited to see them may be all a visitor remembers. Is responsible to recruit and oversee greeters and parking staff as needed.

Small Group Leader: Set in place by the campus pastor with the advice and consent of the campus staff and national leadership. This may be a teacher or elder. Their goal is to provide a midweek meeting of like-minded folks to meet for fellowship, a meal, or Bible study. The focus of the study must be discussing that week’s Word from the pastor, so that those with questions about what the pastor taught can have them answered.

DWC believes that ministry requires diligence with attention to the security of the children and church membership. Accordingly all church staff are required to undergo a rigorous background check and interview process.

“Set Man”

DWC believes that God leads through a Set Man, chosen and put in place for his diligence by God, and empowered to lead by God. Each pastor within DWC is empowered by the national leadership to make decisions regarding their campus; choose and/or change leadership personnel as needed, and ensure money is properly spent within DWC national guidelines with the oversight of the Elder. Only the Pastor may authorize the expenditure of funds, but only the Elder may spend or disburse funds by a two signature check process. Neither pastors nor Elders may singly spend or disburse funds.

Vision Statement

To the members of Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club, Sister ministry to Disciples Way:
We are about to be hit with significant growth across the countryand the globe. God is speakin to me that to be prepared for this, our discipling of men needs to become more focused and purposeful, and that our support of men in 1% clubs needs not only to be entering into their environment where the evil spirits rule, but also bringing them into a safe and friendly environment full of the Holy Spirit where they can have an encounter with Father. Specifically God is speaking that he is raising up men and training some men in this club so they can begin pouring into other men at a new and powerful level.

There are three cities specifically where I feel God is giving us an open door this year, and leading us to provide something that doesn't currently exist, filling a gap in the MC community. This year I believe obedience to His leading includes creating a basic handbook, and releasing men to minister in the following way:

Disciples Way Christian Coffehouse
Columbia, SC Knoxville, TN Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada

MISSION STATEMENT
A place for those rejected by religion, worshipping the Father

PURPOSE
Some people don't go to church because they feel like if they walk into church they might get struck by lightning. Sometimes these people have been rejected by religion because of the way they look, the way they talk, or the way they dress. Sometimes judgemental Christians have driven them out of church, sometimes what's being preached doesn't speak to their situation. Sometimes they're under so much attack that the average pew warmer would never understand them.

Very often these people suffer from addiction, unforgiveness, depression, and generational curses. Often they have such a tough exterior because they're trying to protect themselves. Protect them selves from the hurt that happened to them when they were young, the rejection they suffered, the lack of parental figures.

Isaiah 61 says the Lord has anointed us to heal the brokenhearted, and release prisoners. He's giving us a chance to break these bonds through teaching what the Word of God has to say about freedom, forgiveness and love.

STRUCTURE

The goal is to structure these meetings to start with a 30-45 minutes of recorded worship music. Encourage people physically engage and abandon themselves in worship, not sit back and watch. Standing, moving with the music, following the scripture about lifting holy hands in prayer, these should be encouraged. Encourage people to release the weights they walked into the room with, to release forgiveness, to allow God to work in them. An area should be provided for positions of submission, whether it's face down, a bended knee, and people should be encouraged and taught why we take positions of submission before the Father. Dancing before the Lord should be encouraged, dancing like David danced, engaging whole being in worshiping God, leaving everything at the altar. During this time a designated prayer warrior should move through the group praying for people and anointing them with oil as the Spirit leads, as indicated in James 5.

The church fails when it makes worship a spectator event with people sitting watching the musicians perform. The goal is to say the words themselves, to enter into worshipping the Father.

WORD TIME

Word time should also be about 30-45 minutes. The goal of this fellowship is to teach people practical tools to use in order to overcome the things they are struggling with. This can be accomplished through teaching the Four Legs, forgiveness, and a focus on a life that pleases God through sowing to the Spirit and overcoming the flesh. A weekly blog will be provided with bullet points for teachers to study.

CROSS POLINATION OF SPEAKERS

At least once a month through careful prayer and consideration another ministry should be encouraged to send a speaker.

PRAYER TIME

Afterwards the moderator should offer prayer for those who feel they have burdens to leave at the altar. Worship time should be continued while this happens, until everyone who feels they need prayer has received it.

HANG-OUT TIME

Finally 30-45 minutes of hang out time should be announced, where refreshments are provided. People should be encouraged to talk about the Word for the week, what God was saying to them, and the Four Questions.

Disciples Way Leadership Positions

Bishop: This is the person who leads the national Disciples Way Christian Church, sets the curriculum, and establishes the local Pastors. He is accountable to the DWCC Board of Pastors, and the Senior Pastor. 

Senior Pastor: This is a national position who provides insight and guidance to the Bishop, and helps to establish the curriculum and national guidelines for the governance of DWCC.

Pastor: This is the primary overseer for each specific location, and the primary preacher. This person follows the guidelines for the curriculum provided by the National Overseer or Bishop, and coordinates the activities of the church. Because there is no board of elders etc the final decision for how each church is run is left up to them, with the advice and guidance of the others in the ministry, and the guidance of the National Bishop of the Church.

Teacher: This is the primary back up to the pastor for preaching when the pastor is not available or sick, and teaching Sunday school. This person provides teaching as guided by the pastor, and coordinates all curriculum with the pastor.

Elder: This person is charged with the responsibility of pastoral care. The elder will resolve church related issues so the pastor can focus on the ministry. The elder sees to it that the building is maintained, and the day-to-day responsibilities are taken care of. This person is responsible for the money, collecting the offerings ensuring their security and ensuring that it's safely deposited and can be audited by the pastor. This person is also responsible for communication to those in the church when someone is sick or needs prayer, and is the front line contact person to coordinate visits with those who need prayer. 

Children's Education Coordinator: This person is responsible for the safety, security and education of the children entrusted to the church. They are also responsible to recruit and oversee all people necessary to take care of children's education, and must have a primary backup.

Greeters: Each visitor must be warmly greeted at the door, given a visitors card to fill out, walked into the sanctuary, introduced around, and made and feel comfortable. During the following week they must receive a call thanking them for their visit, asking if they want prayer or have questions. A warm greeter who is excited to see them may be all a visitor remembers. 

Small Group Leader: This may be a teacher or elder. Their goal is to provide a midweek meeting of like minded folks to meet for fellowship, a meal, or Bible study. The focus of the study must be discussing that weeks Word from the pastor, and not some other curriculum, so that those with questions about what the pastor taught can have them answered.