What can I expect?

We’re different than many churches. Our focus around knowing one another builds an atmosphere of family while still keeping the important elements that make up a faith community. We have homemade cold brew and worship in the backyard surrounded by all ages of friends who become like family. Our desire is for you to feel right at home.

Here’s the schedule (we really use more as a guide 😜) that is crafted to purposefully build connection to God and others.

• 10:15am - Coffee and hangs ☕️

• 10:30am - Worship and Prayer (kids included and involved)

• 11:15am - Teaching and discussion

• Noon - Lunch 😋

Why do you meet in a house?

Well, that’s kind of a long story. The simple answer is God led us here.

The medium length answer is that when we moved from California to start Neighbors Church we knew it would be centered around community (hence the name). While we originally planned on it being the typical large gathering format we were used to, the Lord revealed this vision for a network of small churches (micro-churches).

As we continued to seek God we realized that this approach was not only how God was leading us but also provided a greater opportunity to accomplish these four core values:

• A greater opportunity for belonging.

• A greater opportunity for authenticity.

• A greater opportunity for audacious faith.

• A greater opportunity for multiplication.

Dive deeper into the vision and heart HERE to build this network of micro churches across St. Pete and Pinellas County.

(For the long length answer just set up a coffee with us!)

Do I need to bring anything?

Nope! Just come with an open mind. You’ll find it to be a respectful friendly vibe.

What if I have kids?

Great! We do too and several other families. We would love to have them.

You can expect to have them join us for prayer and worship and later have a time with other kids to play and learn more about Jesus in another part of the house or outside. We value the move of the Holy Spirit in all ages and believe God uses our kids in a unique way to reveal His love to us, which is why we love to have them involved during the first half of our gathering. We rotate parents and helpers to facilitate the kids time during the second half of our time together. All the bedrooms are closed and off-limits. All adults are background checked and never alone. All teaching is geared to supplement and equip parents in the discipleship of their kids.

Also, we define “kids” as elementary and younger. Middle and High schoolers have the choice (with parent advice) to engage in helping/leading the kids time or to participate with the adults during the teaching. It’s a great opportunity to grow in leadership skills or a deeper understanding of God’s Word catered to what the preteen or teen may need. You can always try each out or rotate between them.

What does a gathering typically look like?

Just because you’re hanging in a house with friends doesn’t mean this can’t be a holy moment in the presence of God. We come with an expectation that God will join us and make us more like Him in the process.

>We start with having someone share and celebrate something God has done recently or something He has taught them lately.

Then we sing modern worship songs in a variety of styles (carefully picked to be Biblically sound and simple) alongside a keyboard or even YouTube music. We pause for Scripture reading and seeking the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to us. We lift up the name of Jesus with humble hearts seeking unity. We pray for needs in and outside of our community.

>Then the kids move to their unique experience while adults and teens challenge each other with loving neighbors well. As a community, we engage in Bible study during the week focusing on a specific passage together. Currently, we are going verse-by-verse through the Epistle of James! Sundays we dig deeper into that Bible passage with an inspired teaching from our pastors.

>We finish up before lunch with small group conversation and prayer. This is a great time to not just hear the Word of God but move to apply it to your life to change your heart and perspective while utilizing the gift of known community to hold you accountable.

>Lunch is the best time to solidify what God has said and done as we build deep roots in God’s family. There’s not an official end time. We love that people linger in laughter and conversation even when lunch is all cleaned up. We are meant do faith in community and love the way God is revealing Himself through this uncommon approach.