Growing Christian Community:
Through Relational Evangelism and Discipleship

Ask Pastor Nathan Oates why Emmaus Church Community began in 2004, and his answers may surprise you. His description of their church’s guiding mission has a different starting point than many other new churches. And, they take those differences very seriously. Instead of asking, “What’s the vision for our church?” Pastor Oates would rather ask, “How could a community of people help to actualize the Kingdom of God here in Lincoln, California?” This vision is more about shaping their city, rather than just building a local church.

They have a di fferent focus for ministry other than creating new programming. Instead of asking, “How should I get involved in church?” their leaders are asking, “How should I live my life?” The difference is about living life rather than just doing church.

And this difference in vision and ministry leads to a whole new emphasis in their operational objectives.

They continue to ask, “What would Church look like if, instead of meeting needs with programs, we sought to meet needs primarily through relationships?” That distinction emphasizes developing friendships over starting new programs.

Like every other pastor starting a new ministry, Pastor Nathan brought some presuppositions to his new assignment on the Sacramento district. He explains that in our post-modern culture, people are looking for truth that is demonstrated in life and community, that can be experienced, and that impacts their world today.

Pastor Oates teaches, “All people are longing for purpose and acceptance. These longings are created by God and can be ultimately satisfied by Him alone. The younger generations (especially) have been significantly affected by sin expressed in sexual, emotional, and relational brokenness. They need healing and healthy family/community.” Their church’s name and mission have naturally progressed from these perceptions and values; the church’s mission is “to catalyze people toward a revolutionary, lifelong experience with Jesus Christ.”

This perspective has also guided in the selection of the name for their church. Their membership materials explain. “We propose taking the name ‘Emmaus’ for the new Nazarene church community in Lincoln because it evokes several images that represent the Christian life, such as journey, conversation, discovery, mystery, word and sacrament.

“We think the name serves as a helpful conversation-starter in these early days. We imagine introductions being followed by a brief explanation such as this: There’s a story in the Bible about two people who were walking together, on the afternoon of the very first Easter, to a city called Emmaus. Then a third man falls into step with them and they have a conversation together while they travel. The two men stop to eat and invite the third to come in and eat with them, which He does. And while He’s breaking bread and giving it to them they recognize that the third man is Jesus, resurrected from the dead.”

Many notice the unusual inverting of the more common “community church” to “church community.” Oates says the reversal is quite intentional. “We place the emphasis on one of the highest felt needs of our culture: community. ‘Church’ becomes the adjective describing the community. Emmaus Church Community is seekers and Christ-followers sharing life and experiencing the Kingdom of God together.”

Their name may be as unique as their stated purpose. Pastor Nathan’s unique perspective makes more sense when you hear more of his own spiritual journey. He says, “My happy, adventure-filled childhood unfolded on a small hobbyfarm in northern California. My days were spent climbing trees, raising pigs, playing sports and riding my horse. As the oldest of six kids, high expectations, significant responsibilities, freedom, and sharing life with lots of people were early and constant personality-shapers.

“Our family, though loving and secure, was not Christian and almost never went to church. But in junior high, at the invitation of a friend, I visited a church and was soon introduced to a cabinet-maker Sunday school teacher who knew Jesus. It was the authenticity of Tim’s relationship with God that impressed me. He took time to know me and to listen to my questions. I soon asked Christ to lead my life.

“My world was radically changed nine months later when my dad, who was outspoken in his disdain for Christianity, surrendered his life to Christ as well. In the months and years that followed, our whole family became Christian and I absolutely fell in love with Jesus. Looking back, I think it would be impossible to over-estimate the influence of witnessing my parents, two non-Christian adults, become such fully devoted followers of Christ. From that moment on, I have absolutely believed that Jesus changes lives—for children, teenagers, and adults.”

As he grew in his faith and ministry calling, Pastor Nathan credits two particular mentors for his spiritual development: “God used one man, Steve Scott, to awaken me to a calling to ministry within the Church. He used the other, Dr. Lyle Dorsett, to focus this calling on the care of souls. Both of these men have shaped my understanding of ministry profoundly.

“Each of them has modeled uncompromising personal integrity which I seek to emulate. Each of them consistently demonstrates a holy indifference toward money, numbers and fame. Each of them truly shepherds their people. They each spend significant time in prayer. They actively serve the poor. And each of them prophetically engages culture. These men have shown Jesus to me. My ministry is just an extension of theirs.”

As far as his ministry preparation, from September, 1998 through February, 2004, Pastor Nathan served as youth pastor at Arden Church of the Nazarene. He says, “We built a strong, discipleship-driven ministry to youth by modeling the faith, building relationships, and by fusing experiential learning with creative, Biblical teaching. We prioritized student involvement and even leadership in the ministries of the Church and in serving the community. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians shaped our ministry emphasis: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

“At Arden we experienced the benefits of ministering in the same place for an extended period of time. The safety and nurture we experienced while serving at Arden provided the context we needed to receive God’s calling to innovative, purposeful church leadership.

“Years earlier God birthed in me a passion to catalyze people toward a revolutionary, life-long experience with Jesus Christ. That passion has only grown in intensity.

“God has used all of these components: my story, my personal experiences, my mentors, my family, and my passion, to create in me a dream. For over two years now, I have longed to create and lead a transformational community of Christfollowers and spiritual seekers who will grow, live, and serve in the way of Jesus.”

From their first preview service in January 2005, their philosophy of ministry has been clear cut. The longer he has served, the more Pastor Nathan has come to understand the people of Lincoln, California and the congregation being created there. He notes that “Emmaus is a multi-generational community. We have people ages 1 through 80 years, though most are young adults with small children. We have a small number of Hispanics and African Americans, but for now we’re about 90% white, and an accurate reflection of this suburban community.

“There is an equally-wide range of spiritual maturity and church background/ experience. Approximately 20 to 30% are spiritual seekers who have not yet made a personal commitment to following Jesus. Those with church background come from a variety of denominations, including a relatively large number of Nazarenes and Catholics.

“It seems we have first-time guests every week. Since the average level of knowledge of Biblical content is very low, we provide Bibles and give page numbers as well as book/chapter/verse references. We also typically put the scripture on the screen. This past year has been one of strong statistical growth: in June 2006 our Sunday gatherings averaged 115 people; in September 2006 there were 165, and in March 2007 Sunday morning worship averaged 235.”

As he summarized the philosophy of Emmaus Church Community, Pastor Nathan shared these three ministry objectives:

Transformation: Our passion will be to catalyze spiritual seekers, and lead Christfollowers, toward a life-long, revolutionary experience with Jesus Christ. Because holistic transformation is our ultimate purpose, our worship gatherings will be multi-sensory and interactive. Our preaching and small group teaching will apply the teachings of Holy Scripture to all parts of life.

Community: Individual transformation will fuel, and be fueled by, authentic expressions of Christian community. Our worship gatherings will be highly relational and highly participatory. We will emphasize home groups.

Compassion: The expression and end of both personal and communal transformation will be to engage culture with love, mercy, and justice. Our community will be mission-driven. Because compassion is core to our purpose, we will seek to be a church community that goes to the people. We will reach people by loving people.

And their ministry is flourishing. New attenders and members have responded with glowing affirmations.

Here’s what some of them are saying. A college student wrote the church to say “Thank you for creating an environment for everyone. It is so important to have a place that single mothers, struggling fathers, and confused teens can go to meet with God.” A first time guest said, “That’s the first time in 42 years I’ve taken communion and not felt guilty.” One of their launch team members said, “My prayer life has had such growth; it’s been personally renewing for me to have a place where I can come to experience authentic community and to feel spiritually fed from God’s word each week.”

New Worship Resource Available from Emmaus Church Community

This coming Easter, Emmaus Church Community will be releasing its first worship album. This self-titled release includes all original songs written and produced by the Emmaus Church Community.

The music style ranges f rom contemplative to rock. These passionate songs are cries from the heart of a new community embracing and being embraced by God’s love.

In addition to the album, Emmaus will be releasing the audio loops or tracks for the songs which will be available to download for use in other churches, youth ministries or other gatherings.

The album and individual song downloads will be available in March at www.emmausworship.org. If you have questions or would like to order the album at the pre-release price, write to Emmaus Church Community at 180 E. 8th Street, Lincoln, CA 95648. Or, you can send your email request to info@emmauscommunity.org.