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Is this a church?

 

Yes. Biblically speaking, we are a church—a local gathering of believers in Jesus Christ. However, we are not a religious organization or an institution, because that’s not what a church is in the Bible. In the New Testament, the word "church" (ekklesia) refers to the assembly of God’s people, not to a building, organization, or denomination (Mark 3:35, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:15).

 

We don’t have a formal membership process, bylaws, or hierarchical leadership structure, because we see the church as a spiritual family rather than an institution.  We are simply believers gathering together to worship, study Scripture, pray, and encourage one another in the faith—just as the early Christians did.

 

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Do you have a pastor?

 

We believe that leadership in the church should not rest on one man alone, but should be shared among a plurality of elders (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2–6, 22–23; 16:4; 20:17, 28; 21:18; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1; Philippians 1:1; Proverbs 11:14). While one elder may take on a primary teaching role, others are also recognized as elders and help oversee the fellowship according to their gifts and calling (1 Timothy 5:17). This plural model of leadership provides accountability, shared responsibility, and safeguards against any one individual having excessive control.

 

In Scripture, elders are those who shepherd, teach, and oversee the fellowship. The word "pastor" (depending on translation) appears only once in the Bible and literally means "shepherd." Rather than referring to a position of authority over the elders, it is simply one of the roles and functions of an elder.  Similarly, the word "bishop" literally means "overseer" and is just another function of the same role.  So, in the Bible, "elder, pastor, and bishop" are just different words that refer to the same role in the church.

 

As well, the word "pastor" does not refer to a formal title or institutional office with institutional authority. Instead, it refers to a responsibility and a service—the role of guiding, teaching, and caring for God's flock (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2–3). A pastor's role is relational rather than hierarchical; rather than being a superior or ruler over the congregation, the pastor is a servant who leads by example and exhortation (Matthew 20:25–28; 23:8–12).

 

We do not believe that a pastor must have a formal degree or institutional credentials—though we do believe such things can be helpful and beneficial. Ultimately, Scripture teaches that pastors are simply mature brothers in Christ who are recognized by the fellowship for their Christian character and ability to teach others what it means to know and follow Jesus (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 4:12–16).

 

Because we are a relatively new church, we have not yet established an eldership, though we plan to do so as the fellowship grows and matures. In the meantime, we do have a brother in Christ who performs the functions of a pastor—overseeing the fellowship, teaching sound doctrine, and caring for the spiritual well-being of the group.

 

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What do you believe about giving and tithing?

 

We do not believe that tithing—the Old Testament practice of giving 10%—is a New Covenant command for believers. Instead, we believe the New Covenant principle is stewardship.

 

Under the Mosaic Law, the tithe was primarily for the support of the Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own and served in the tabernacle (Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The amount required was likely proportionate to what was needed to sustain the Levites at a similar level to the rest of Israel’s population. However, in many churches today, enforcing a fixed 10% can result in pastors and churches accumulating excess wealth and using finances for frivolous or unbiblical purposes—something Scripture warns against (1 Timothy 6:5-10).

 

In the New Testament, believers are not commanded to give a fixed percentage to a local church but are instead called to be faithful stewards of everything God has entrusted to them. Since we are bought with a price, we belong fully to Jesus—including our finances (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Rather than giving God 10% and keeping 90% for ourselves, we recognize that He owns 100% of what we have, and we are to use all of it in a way that honors Him (Luke 16:10-13).

 

This includes:

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• Supporting those who teach and preach the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14; Galatians 6:6).

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• Helping the poor and the needy (Galatians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7-9).

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• Providing for our families (1 Timothy 5:8).

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• Enjoying the blessings God provides with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 6:17).

 

Because of this view, we do not regularly take up offerings during our gatherings, except when there is a clear, identified need within the fellowship or for ministry purposes. However, we strongly encourage believers to regularly give to the poor and needy, as well as to ministries and individuals who are actively advancing the Gospel.

 

Rather than seeing giving as a duty, we see it as an act of love and worship, done freely and cheerfully as each person is led by the Lord (2 Corinthians 9:7).

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What should I expect if I visit?

 

Our gatherings are simple, informal, and centered on Christ. A typical gathering includes:

 

• Prayer

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• Worship through song

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• Bible study (verse-by-verse teaching and open discussion)

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• Fellowship and shared meals

We usually meet on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the home of some of our members in Grand Island. Our meetings typically wrap up by noon or 12:30 p.m., depending on discussion and fellowship.

 

Do I have to participate in discussion and prayer? No—while we encourage participation, there is no pressure to speak, pray aloud, or contribute in any way. Some people love to share, while others prefer to listen and observe—both are completely fine! You are welcome to engage at your own pace and in a way that feels comfortable to you.

 

Will I feel out of place if I don’t know anyone? Not at all! We understand that visiting any new group can feel intimidating, but we want you to know that you are genuinely welcome here. Whether you’ve been part of a house church before or this is completely new to you, you won’t be put on the spot or pressured to participate.

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For more about what to expect at a typical gathering, visit our What Our Gatherings Are Like page.

 

 

How do I visit?

 

Because we meet in homes rather than a public building, we do not post our location online. However, we welcome anyone who is genuinely seeking Christ and looking for biblical fellowship.

 

If you’d like to visit, please contact us first by email, phone, or text. We’ll set up a brief conversation to introduce ourselves, answer any questions, and provide details on how to join us.

 

For the safety and privacy of our group, we may ask to meet in a public place or on a Zoom call before attending a home gathering. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting with you!

 

📞 (716) 775-7182‬ (feel free to text)

📩 contact.believersinchrist@gmail.com

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For more information about the process, visit our Contact Us page.

 

 

Is this gathering only for families?

 

No! Our gathering is open to everyone—single or married, young or old. While some of us have families, we have people of different ages and different family situations, and we welcome anyone who desires to seek Christ and grow in faith. You do not need to be part of a family to attend—this is a gathering for all who belong to the family of God!

 

 

Is this gathering for people of all races?

 

Absolutely! All people, regardless of race or background, are welcome. In Christ, we are one body, united by faith rather than by any earthly distinction (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).

 

The Bible teaches that our true identity is in Christ, not in any racial or cultural background. As believers, we are a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17), and what unites us is our shared faith, not external differences.

 

If you are seeking Christian fellowship and a place to grow in your faith, you are welcome here—no matter your race, background, or culture.

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What should I wear?

 

Dress is informal—just wear whatever is comfortable and appropriate for gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Some churches emphasize dressing up in formal attire for church, but nowhere in the Bible does God require this. Instead, Scripture teaches that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

 

The New Testament encourages believers to be clothed in humility (1 Peter 5:5) and good works rather than focusing on external adornment (1 Timothy 2:9-10). What matters is not how we dress outwardly, but that we come before the Lord with a heart of worship and love for one another.

 

 

I’ve had bad experiences with churches before. How is this different?

 

Sadly, many people have experienced churches that are legalistic, controlling, or more focused on programs than relationships. Our gathering is different because we see the church as a family, not an institution. There’s no hierarchy, no pressure to perform, and no rigid structure. We simply gather as believers to worship, learn, and encourage one another in Christ—without man-made expectations.

 

 

Do I have to agree with everything you believe to attend?

 

No! While we are committed to what we believe the Bible teaches, our gathering is not about enforcing uniformity on every doctrinal issue. As long as we share faith in Christ and His Gospel, we welcome discussion and differences on non-essential matters. Our goal is not debate, but encouragement and growth in Christ together.  For more information about our approach to unity when it comes to non-essential matters, visit our Statement on Unity page.  For specific information about our beliefs, visit our What We Believe page.

 

 

Is this a cult?

 

No! A cult is usually centered on a human leader, secretive in its beliefs, and seeks to control people’s lives. That is not what we are at all. We are simply a gathering of believers in Jesus Christ, seeking to follow the Bible and encourage one another in faith. We are not separate from the broader body of Christ—we are part of His Church, just as any Bible-believing fellowship is.

 

 

Does this fellowship have any strange beliefs?

 

No, we are a Bible-believing fellowship that believes in salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We hold to the authority of Scripture as the final rule for faith and practice and embrace the core doctrines of historic Christianity.  To find out more about about our specific beliefs, visit our What We Believe page.

 

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Does this church abuse spiritual gifts?

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No.  We emphasize order, discernment, and testing in the use of spiritual gifts.  We believe spiritual gifts are valuable for the edification of the Church, but they should always be exercised in accordance with biblical instruction as follows:

 

First, we adhere to the apostle Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12-14 by:

 

• Prioritizing love in the use of spiritual gifts​​​

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• Refraining from practices that are not beneficial to those present (such as speaking in other languages with no one present to interpret)​

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• Taking turns speaking

 

As well, we believe that when someone claims to be giving a message from the Lord, the message should always be tested before it is accepted by the Church (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1). We believe that true messages from the Lord will meet the following criteria:

 

• They will not contradict anything in Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Isaiah 8:20).

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• They will glorify Christ alone and will not glorify man (John 16:13-14, Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 1:29-31).

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• They will be of a nature that can be tested by means other than subjective intuition (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 14:29).

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• They will come from known believers whom God has confirmed to be trustworthy, based on:

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o  Their history of never having predicted something that didn't come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

 

o  Their messages always advancing Christ’s Kingdom and working against the kingdom of darkness (Matthew 12:24-30, Mark 3:22-27, Jeremiah 23:21-22).

 

o  Their obvious self-sacrificial love for the body of Christ, their Christ-like character, and their lack of desire to become rich or famous through giving prophetic messages (Matthew 7:15-20).

 

While such prophetic messages are not currently a regular occurrence at our gathering, we welcome them, as Scripture affirms that they are beneficial gifts for the edification of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:31,14:3,39). However, we also recognize that many who claim to speak for the Lord are either believers who have been taught incorrectly regarding spiritual gifts, charlatans seeking fame and wealth, or agents of the kingdom of darkness (2 Peter 2:1-3).

 

Regarding the Forbidding of Prophecy:

 

• We believe that churches that forbid all prophetic messages as a matter of doctrine are in violation of the Apostle Paul’s command to "despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

 

• Likewise, we believe that churches that discourage believers from seeking spiritual gifts are working against the Apostle Paul’s teaching that spiritual gifts are blessings for the Church that should be earnestly sought after for the purpose of edifying one another in love and advancing Christ’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 14:1,5, 39).

 

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Is this fellowship affiliated with a denomination or movement?

 

No, we are not affiliated with any denomination or movement. We are simply followers of Jesus Christ who meet together as a local expression of His body.

 

While many churches emphasize denominational identity or align with specific theological movements, we choose to identify by what unites us rather than by what divides us (Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:1-8).

 

We do not claim to have everything figured out, and we don’t believe our way of gathering makes us superior to other Christians. We simply seek to follow Christ together in a way that is biblical, relational, and faithful.

 

What We Are Not

 

We recognize that many believers today have been influenced by different teachings, and we welcome anyone who is seeking biblical truth with a humble heart. However, we want to be clear that we do not teach or promote the following doctrines:

 

• The Prosperity Gospel / Word of Faith Movement – We reject the idea that faith is a tool to claim wealth, health, or success. Specifically, we do not teach that financial prosperity is a guaranteed sign of God's favor, that Jesus died to make us rich, that spoken words have creative power (e.g., “name it and claim it”), or that faith is a force we can use to manipulate outcomes (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Philippians 4:11-13, James 4:2-3, 1 John 5:14, Philippians 4:6).

 

• The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) – We do not believe that modern “apostles” or “prophets” have the same authority as Scripture, nor do we believe that the church is called to take over the world’s systems before Christ returns (Ephesians 6:12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Revelation 12:11, Acts 1:22, 4:33, 1 Corinthians 4:19-20, 2 Corinthians 12:12).

 

• Legalistic / Works-Based Salvation Teachings – We firmly believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—not through works, law-keeping, or religious rituals (Romans 4:4-5, 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 6:14).

 

• Extreme Charismatic / Unbiblical Spiritual Practices – While we believe spiritual gifts are still active today, we do not endorse practices such as barking, uncontrollable laughter, falling into trances, or prophesying new doctrinal revelation, as these go beyond biblical teaching (1 Corinthians 14:40).

 

• Authoritarian Leadership Structures – We do not believe in heavy-handed or cult-like church leadership that suppresses individual discernment or demands absolute submission (1 Peter 5:2-3).

 

If you’ve been part of a church that teaches these things, you are still welcome here! We invite anyone who is genuinely seeking biblical truth to come with an open heart and explore what the Scriptures truly teach. However, if someone is committed to promoting these doctrines, this gathering would not be the right place for that.  Our goal is to focus on Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and biblical truth in love and humility.