Visit the Pastor
Hi there, great to see you! Whether you’re a believer or not, I am delighted to have you stop by for a visit. You know when God first called me to this ministry, I found it hard to believe that this was what I was really supposed to be doing. Perhaps you’ve felt the same way at times. Yet here I am following God’s call as a shepherd and I can say I do not regret accepting His invitation. I have enjoyed this more than I thought possible. I hope you are finding your way as pleasant!
Our church is completely web-based at the present time. When I was first ordained, I thought I would be ministering to people online. About half my ministry in those days, was online. But the other half was local, meeting with people in homes, discussing scripture.
When I first started out with, I began with local meetings as a home church on Saturday evenings. Why didn’t we meet on Sunday mornings you ask?? Because Saturday evenings afforded flexibility for people. Many folks work on Sundays and can't meet in a traditional church. Others dislike Sunday service for various reasons. Saturday evenings also allow us to end the week on a high note and begin the new week refreshed and revitalized. (Now if you are thinking that this must be wrong and you have to meet on Sunday, I ask you to show me where it says this in the bible!) Over the years, people moved on and the ministry online took president and I find all my efforts in this venue, at the present time.
When I do local meetings, we follow a bible study format where everybody, (and I do mean everybody), has their opportunity to speak up and participate. I believe we are fulfilling the intent of 1 Corinthians 14:26 in this manner. Why don’t I give sermons instead?? Well, I see people learning and growing more rapidly by participating rather than just listening and as I said before, I believe it fulfills the scriptural requirements. The Lord can speak through anyone he chooses, not just the pastor and I intend that He have that choice. That’s not to say that there is anything wrong with a pastor preaching and the congregation listening on Sunday mornings. That format works well for many people. Our bible study format works well for us and it serves those who are just plain put off by traditional churches. And as to sermons, you’ll find those on our website!
You might be surprised to find that some of our members belong to more than one church. (Another benefit of Saturday evening worship!) This suits me just fine. If that’s what works best for them and God leads them to more than one church, they are right where they’re supposed to be. This may sound a bit odd, but I don’t believe church is about numbers. It’s about serving others and most importantly praising and giving glory to God!
If you feel like an outsider and are looking for somewhere to belong, I think you may have just come to the right place. Jesus certainly doesn’t want you to be alone. He wants you with Him and so do we. Feel free to join with us in our humble place in the Body of Christ. We look forward to having you with us.
We may just be a stepping stone until you are ready to move on to other places in the Body. Perhaps you will just visit us on occasion. Maybe a web-church membership is just the ticket for you or you could live just close enough to join us on Saturday evening if we are having bible studies. Whatever you choose, choose it with God’s participation to make sure that you get the very best that’s meant for you!
Feel free to look about and see if we can help meet your needs. Join us as we all learn and grow while we walk the paths that our Father has laid out for us. Rest assured, they all lead to God. Above all, don’t feel like a stranger. Everyone is welcome here regardless of their religious background. All we ask is that you afford everyone the proper respect, compassion and dignity that every human-being deserves and that we will certainly look forward to giving you.
May the Lord’s blessing be upon you and may the peace that transcends all understanding be yours -
In Jesus name, amen and amen…
Richard Gulluni
E-mail the pastor at: [email protected]
© 2005 Church of Hope, Inc.