Exciting News!

Christ’s Church Fleming Island is now CHURCH OF THE WAY.

Learn more at https://cotw.church/

 

Greetings Fleming Island Family!

We recently announced that over the course of the next several months, the Fleming campus will be moving forward in taking next steps to become a fully autonomous local church - self-funding, operating their own ministry programming, guided, and served by their own leadership.

This announcement is the discerning product stemming from our rooted initiative to see thriving local churches across Northeast Florida. It makes sense that one of the first priorities of this initiative would be our Fleming Campus. Clay County is a rapidly growing community, projected to increase from 227,000 to more than 300,000 in just over a decade. After 18 years as a multi-site, there are countless opportunities for growth and multiplication that we can now pursue as an independent local church to make a Kingdom impact within a growing community.

The Elders and Lead Pastor Jason Cullum have initiated a process toward this autonomy and have appointed a management team comprising of myself, Josh Serre, Tom Shelton, Todd Bussey, Ken Marquis, and Mike Speer, with Todd guiding the charge. This team is tasked with identifying milestones toward autonomy and developing a timeline that makes sense for everyone involved.

As you can imagine, there will be many conversations and "When this happens, then we can do this" moments. The first step begins with congregational alignment and buy-in, which is why we are asking for your involvement in three pivotal ways:

  • Pray: Join our management team in praying each morning at 6:50am for wisdom, clarity, and favor from God.

  • Listen: Join us for Sunday services to hear our vision for what an autonomous church in Clay County could do to advance God's Kingdom work here.

The management team will always be fully committed to uphold clarity, transparency, and congregational engagement. A brief overview of the mission and vision is here, and an FAQ of your questions will be posted online along with a progress tracker toward autonomy.

Email lucasj@christs.church with your questions or to schedule an in-person conversation. Your input and feedback mean a great deal to us, and we want to hear from you.

It's an exciting time for the Fleming Island team and our community -- Thank you for all your encouragement, love, prayers, and support!

Yours In Christ,

Lucas Johnson, Campus Pastor - Fleming Island

 
 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

  • This announcement is the discerning product stemming from our rooted initiative to see thriving local churches across Northeast Florida. It makes sense that one of the first priorities of this initiative would be our Fleming Campus. Clay County is a rapidly growing community, projected to increase from 227,000 to more than 300,000 in just over a decade. After 18 years as a multi-site, there are countless opportunities for growth and multiplication that we can now pursue as an independent local church to make a Kingdom impact within a growing community.

  • Over the course of the next several months, the Fleming campus will be moving forward in taking next steps to become a fully autonomous local church - self-funding, operating their own ministry programming, guided, and served by their own leadership.

  • Pastor Lucas Johnson will remain as the Lead Teaching Pastor

  • With the creation of a new, autonomous church, CC Fleming Island will transition to a new church name (which will be announced soon).

  • During this transition, the new church will meet in the same location at 1859 Town Hall Circle, Fleming Island FL 32003.

  • Yes, Sunday at 9:30am and 11am.

  • Yes, the Rooted initiative is committed to planting churches that align with the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, also known as the Restoration Movement.

  • The Restoration Movement began in the early 19th century in the United States. Its goal is to unify Christians by returning to the original practices and principles of the early Christian Church as described in the New Testament.

    The movement started as a response to the divisions within Protestantism in America. Leaders of the Restoration Movement wanted to promote Christian unity by rejecting denominationalism and emphasizing the Bible as the only guide for faith and practice.

    Early leaders aimed to "restore" the early Christian Church by focusing on the simplicity and purity of New Testament Christianity, without man-made doctrines and traditions.

    Core Principles: The Restoration Movement brings together over 6,000 churches and 1.5 million believers in the US, despite loose affiliations and the lack of tracking for multi-sites and campus launches.

    Key principles include:

    • Christian Unity: Promoting unity among all believers based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The motto "In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love" reflects this principle.

    • The Church: Belief in the early Christian Church as the model for true Christianity. The movement seeks to restore the practices, beliefs, and organization of the 1st Century Church.

    • Biblical Authority: The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. The movement rejects human creeds and traditions not explicitly found in scripture.

    • Believer's Baptism by Immersion: Emphasizes the importance of believer's baptism by immersion, viewing it as essential for the discipleship journey and entry into the community of believers.

    • The Lord's Supper (Communion): Weekly observance of the Lord's Supper is central, remembering Jesus Christ's sacrifice through bread and wine (or grape juice).

    • Autonomy of the Local Church: Each church governs its own affairs independently, maintaining simplicity and flexibility in organizational structures.

    • Evangelism and Mission: Passionate about spreading the gospel and inviting others to join the vision of restoring 1st Century Christianity, fulfilling the Great Commission.

    These principles guide the Restoration Movement's pursuit of a Christianity faithful to the New Testament and committed to the unity of all believers.

    • Join us for Sunday services to hear our vision for what an autonomous church in Clay County could do to advance God's Kingdom work here.