About Discovery Church

Contact Information

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:56:17 -0500

Mailing address:

PO Box 290
Winterville, NC 28590

Email:

info@discoverychurchonline.com

For Jason the Lead Pastor:
jason@discoverychurchonline.com

For Claude our Family Pastor:
claude@discoverychurchonline.com

Phone

Core Values of Discovery Church

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:44:07 -0500

(click on titles to view detailed descriptions)

• We value Applying God's Word
"Teaching is for Life-Change"

We want people to understand God’s word in a personal way, one that influences the choices they make and the way they live their life. The Christian life isn’t about how much you know about the Bible…it’s about how you live what you know. Understanding of deep Biblical truths is important, but it comes after people learn how to “do” what they “know”, not before.

• We value Authentic Small Groups
"People can be 'real' in small groups"

We believe that life change takes place in the context of relationships. We want members to love, accept and care for each other and thereby fulfill the one another commands in Scripture. We desire relationships that go beyond acquaintances. Our goal is to create an environment where faithful and lasting Christian friendships are made - where the term ‘you’re my brother or sister’ is fully known and understood. Small Groups at Discovery Church will be the primary tool to foster these very kinds of relationships.

• We value Fun & Creativity
"Changing Methods.Unchanged Message"

The Christian life should be anything but boring and dull, and the church should reflect that. Whether people are at a worship service, in a small group or serving in a ministry, we want people to have fun, be creative, and experience the creativity that reflects part of what God Himself is like. Creativity should be fun and we want every member and staff to laugh and enjoy the abundant life we have in Christ. We want to be as modern as possible in our attempts to meet the needs of others. Our methods of communicating the timeless message of Christ will be ever changing as we look for meaningful ways to connect culturally with others. The use of applicable sermons, media, music, the arts and community ministry will play a significant role in meeting people where they are.

• We value Effective Leadership
"Leadership is a privilege and a process"

We want to do more than add to our membership, we want to multiply the ministry. We want people to reach their full potential and become a catalyst for positive change wherever they are. We desire to be a place where people can prove themselves and develop their abilities as leaders because great ministry is multiplied by great leaders and when that happens, more people are given the opportunity to experience the love of Christ.

• We value Excellence
"Excellence honors God"

We believe that God is honored in excellence and that happens when we do the best we can with what we have. We think that not only should people expect excellent ministries from the church, we should reasonably be able to expect excellence from our membership partners and staff. Even small things done to the best of our ability will encourage others and honor God. Details do matter to God and to us.

• We value Respect for all People
"People Matter to God"

Every person has been created in God’s image and because of that, they are of infinite worth. We want people to be respected as they are and where they are. People who have questions or are even aggressively opposed to things we hold dear should be heard and listened to, not dismissed or disrespected. Our desire is for people to recognize Jesus in us and the way we conduct ourselves.

• We value Involvement in Service
"Every Member is a Minister"

We don’t think that it’s the “job” of paid staff to do the work of the ministry. Instead, we think it’s the privilege and responsibility of all of us to share the load of life. People have different gifts and abilities, passions and personalities, and we think that’s by design. When people take on the responsibility of ministering and caring for the needs of one another, everybody wins and the God’s kingdom will grow.

• We value Growth & Life-Change
"Real followers of Jesus Grow"

Growth is a by-product of health. We want our church to grow in size and in health and we think that people want to grow too. We want to be a church where people can experience and encounter God in worship. God’s power and presence are truly felt. We want our members to develop intimacy with God through a lifestyle of devotion (prayer, fasting, quiet time, etc) and obedience (purity, honesty, integrity, etc). We want to see lives turned upside down by a radical Jesus.

Beliefs

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:59:17 -0500

About the church
The Bible tells us that the church is the body of Christ in the world today. The New Testament tells us the church is a local body of baptized believers. The head of the church is Jesus Christ. The biblical purposes of the church are worship, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship and ministry to others.

(Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3

About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1; 26-27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, 2 Corinthians 13:14

About the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 1:13, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 30:5

About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead three days later to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth reigning as King of King’s, Lord of Lord’s.

Matthew 1:22,23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3,4 Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13

About the second coming of Jesus
God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.

Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13

About Eternity
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in unison with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

About Eternal Security
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for all of eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer to forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with the power for living, understanding to the spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian should seek to live under His control on a daily basis.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

About Human Beings
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates people from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2

About Evil
While God will one day do away with all evil, He currently allows evil in the world - which provides mankind a choice. Satan is the source of all evil and will suffer an eternity of separation from God for his choices. (Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his demons.) Evil is present in the world because of mankind’s choice in the Garden of Eden. Because of Jesus, we have the opportunity to choose the goodness of God’s grace over evil. While God could eliminate evil immediately, He endures the grief of waiting to do so in order to give more people the opportunity to come to faith in Him. God is able to cause all things, even the evil in this world, to work together for the good of those who love Him.

Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Psalm 100:5; John 3:19; Psalm 81:12; Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:10; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 2:2; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 8:28-29

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Claude Cannon

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:38:02 -0500

Claude Cannon - Family Pastor
Claude is married to Sheila and they have a dog, a cat, and a saltwater aquarium filled with fish they know by name.

Claude was born and raised in nearby New Bern and headed up a midweek children's ministry and children's church in Brandon, FL before moving back home.

When Claude moved to Florida, he found the two most important things in his life. He found Jesus and then he found his wife Sheila. When he thinks about Florida he often says, "I got what I came for."

Likes: wife, modifying cars, tinkering w/ computers, going out to eat

Dislikes: maintaining cars, eating vegatables, reality TV

Favorite Flix: 5th Element, Better Off Dead

Little Known Fact: One of my favorite cars is a Pinto

Read his BLOG

Jason Ebeling

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 19:35:42 -0500

Jason Ebeling - Pastor
Jason is married to Lora and they have 5 children. Tyler is 10, Tanner is 8, Chandler is 6 and Sarah is 2. Their fifth child (Hannah) arrived in July.

Jason was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (go Vikings!) and did ministry in Maryland and Florida before moving here.

Jason went to college in Minnesota and while working at a summer camp for students, he felt called to full time ministry. After college he started seminary in Maryland. Ten years and four kids later, he finally graduated from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.

Likes: my family, sports, outdoors, people
Dislikes: waiting in lines, whiny people
Favorite Flix: Princess Bride, Family Man, Tommy Boy
Little Known Fact: I’ve made a hole-in-one but my grandpa had 6 of them

Read his BLOG

Discovery Church Purpose Statement:

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 23:56:06 -0500

Discovery Church exists to challenge people to discover real answers for real life that leads to real opportunities.

Real Answers
Everybody has questions, but we believe the church has the answer. The answer is embodied in the person of Jesus and is contained within the bounds of the Bible. We challenge people to know and apply these truths to their lives.

Real Life
It's easy to get lost in a crowd and pretend that everything's just fine even when your life is spinning out of control. Nobody should have to go through life alone. That's why we challenge everyone to plug in to one of our Outlets (small groups). Life happens at a deeper level in a smaller group. It's a safe place to grow, struggle, ask questions, find answers and experience how life's relationships were meant to be.

Real Opportunities
Knowing the answer is not enough. Having strong personal relationships is not enough. Serving others is what it's all about. There are unlimited opportunities to meet needs in the church and more importantly, out in the community. We challenge people to create and capitalize on those opportunities to help others discover real answers, real life and real opportunities for themselves.