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FAITH HARVEST CHURCH
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Mesa, Arizona
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT FHC
Here are some questions you may have, especially if you are considering a visit to Faith Harvest. If you have further questions feel free to email us.
QUESTION:
Are you part of a denomination or any movements in the church today?
Faith Harvest is non-denominational and not affiliated with any denomination. We are also not part of current movements, or fads, which are popular in the church in America. We are not "emergent", Seeker-sensitive, Purpose-Driven nor are we part of the Word of Faith Movement. We are not part of the Charismatic movements, which have chased after anointings, signs and wonders and often left people disillusioned and void of sound doctrine; However in the truest sense of the words Charismatic and Pentecostal, we uphold the present day ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit as they operated in the church in the book of Acts.
QUESTION:
What size is your congregation?
Faith Harvest consists of two small congregations meeting in conference room type facilities. All together we are a little less than a hundred people. We do not try to portray ourselves as larger than we are. However, we long to have more join us who will work with us in the work of the Kingdom. We envision other small groups like these which will broaden our base to touch more lives. While we are 'small' we are not small in faith. God has done amazing things in these congregations, from incredible opportunities in missions, to local outreaches, to as many as 20,000 sermon downloads in one month worldwide.
QUESTION:
What is your worship style like?
Over the years, 'praise and worship' has changed at Faith Harvest. At times, we have had praise teams with 15 people including many instruments. At present, our worship is very simple, with 1-3 people on a team, sometimes only guitar, or with keyboard and guitar. Contemporary songs are used, with occasional hymns and traditional songs included.
QUESTION:
Do you preach the Pre-Tribulation rapture?
Our pastor leans heavily towards a post-trib rapture; However, individuals who are pre-trib are welcomed without controversy. We believe that if the Lord comes first, all the better. However we believe that we are called to prepare the church for coming tribulation, even if it is not the Great Tribulation. The pre-trib doctrine is a distinctly American doctrine which is not supported by the teachings of the early church, nor can it be clearly shown from the New Testament. We do believe that we should live every day prepared for, and expecting, His return.
QUESTION:
Why do you allow women to minister?
We allow women to minister because the Apostle Paul allowed women to minister. Our pastor teaches a 7 hour seminar on women in ministry roles and the audio and syllabus for this teaching may be freely downloaded from the audio sermons page. Let it be noted that Faith Harvest in no way supports feminism nor usurping of authority and these teachings are based upon careful examination of scripture. We do believe in male leadership/headship in the home and in the church men are clearly called to lead. However that does not negate God's prerogative to call and anoint anyone He chooses, whether male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free.
QUESTION:
How is Faith Harvest governed?
Faith Harvest is governed through prayer, not a traditional board. There are leadership meetings, which involve the pastors (Mark and Maggie Hillis), the elders (Michael and Leah Smith), deacons (Jeff and Amy Griffis) and heads of ministries. Spiritual direction comes from the pastors, but not without accountability. In practice almost all decisions come through the pastors and elders weighing all matters in prayer and being led into unity by the Holy Spirit. With such a simple way of doing church rarely are there issues which are not already clear in the Word of God. By following this clear method as shown in the book of Acts, much politics, conflict and issues dealt with by a voting board are avoided.
QUESTION:
What are your plans concerning facilities?
Faith Harvest began in the Pastors' living room years ago, and has adapted to God's purposes over the years. It has existed as a house church, has met in a small industrial building, and for 7 years was known as the church that had its home in the historic Nile Theater in downtown Mesa. In recent years, God has called us to return to a simpler form of church, without the financial drain of leases and overhead for large buildings. While we cannot say what tomorrow holds, and we are not opposed to having full time buildings, we also believe that God is preparing His Church to be able to exist underground in times of persecution. It may be that we return to house churches in the future. Regardless, the Lord has prepared Faith Harvest to 'do church' under all kinds of circumstances. We can hold services as easily and authentically in a public park as we can in a permanent building. We are very much like a house church movement....we just happen to be using conference room facilities at the present time.
QUESTION:
Are you part of a denomination or any movements in the church today?
Faith Harvest is non-denominational and not affiliated with any denomination. We are also not part of current movements, or fads, which are popular in the church in America. We are not "emergent", Seeker-sensitive, Purpose-Driven nor are we part of the Word of Faith Movement. We are not part of the Charismatic movements, which have chased after anointings, signs and wonders and often left people disillusioned and void of sound doctrine; However in the truest sense of the words Charismatic and Pentecostal, we uphold the present day ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit as they operated in the church in the book of Acts.
QUESTION:
What size is your congregation?
Faith Harvest consists of two small congregations meeting in conference room type facilities. All together we are a little less than a hundred people. We do not try to portray ourselves as larger than we are. However, we long to have more join us who will work with us in the work of the Kingdom. We envision other small groups like these which will broaden our base to touch more lives. While we are 'small' we are not small in faith. God has done amazing things in these congregations, from incredible opportunities in missions, to local outreaches, to as many as 20,000 sermon downloads in one month worldwide.
QUESTION:
What is your worship style like?
Over the years, 'praise and worship' has changed at Faith Harvest. At times, we have had praise teams with 15 people including many instruments. At present, our worship is very simple, with 1-3 people on a team, sometimes only guitar, or with keyboard and guitar. Contemporary songs are used, with occasional hymns and traditional songs included.
QUESTION:
Do you preach the Pre-Tribulation rapture?
Our pastor leans heavily towards a post-trib rapture; However, individuals who are pre-trib are welcomed without controversy. We believe that if the Lord comes first, all the better. However we believe that we are called to prepare the church for coming tribulation, even if it is not the Great Tribulation. The pre-trib doctrine is a distinctly American doctrine which is not supported by the teachings of the early church, nor can it be clearly shown from the New Testament. We do believe that we should live every day prepared for, and expecting, His return.
QUESTION:
Why do you allow women to minister?
We allow women to minister because the Apostle Paul allowed women to minister. Our pastor teaches a 7 hour seminar on women in ministry roles and the audio and syllabus for this teaching may be freely downloaded from the audio sermons page. Let it be noted that Faith Harvest in no way supports feminism nor usurping of authority and these teachings are based upon careful examination of scripture. We do believe in male leadership/headship in the home and in the church men are clearly called to lead. However that does not negate God's prerogative to call and anoint anyone He chooses, whether male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free.
QUESTION:
How is Faith Harvest governed?
Faith Harvest is governed through prayer, not a traditional board. There are leadership meetings, which involve the pastors (Mark and Maggie Hillis), the elders (Michael and Leah Smith), deacons (Jeff and Amy Griffis) and heads of ministries. Spiritual direction comes from the pastors, but not without accountability. In practice almost all decisions come through the pastors and elders weighing all matters in prayer and being led into unity by the Holy Spirit. With such a simple way of doing church rarely are there issues which are not already clear in the Word of God. By following this clear method as shown in the book of Acts, much politics, conflict and issues dealt with by a voting board are avoided.
QUESTION:
What are your plans concerning facilities?
Faith Harvest began in the Pastors' living room years ago, and has adapted to God's purposes over the years. It has existed as a house church, has met in a small industrial building, and for 7 years was known as the church that had its home in the historic Nile Theater in downtown Mesa. In recent years, God has called us to return to a simpler form of church, without the financial drain of leases and overhead for large buildings. While we cannot say what tomorrow holds, and we are not opposed to having full time buildings, we also believe that God is preparing His Church to be able to exist underground in times of persecution. It may be that we return to house churches in the future. Regardless, the Lord has prepared Faith Harvest to 'do church' under all kinds of circumstances. We can hold services as easily and authentically in a public park as we can in a permanent building. We are very much like a house church movement....we just happen to be using conference room facilities at the present time.