"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians
3:16
Mercy Gate Fellowship Sabbath Services
The Sabbath is the capstone of creation and the eternal sign of our covenant with God. Each local Mercy Gate Fellowship hosts congregational gatherings on Sabbath. Meeting in dedicated homes, offices, closed shops, parks, or elsewhere, these Sabbath gatherings feature both standardized discipleship and community-specific opportunities.
A typical Sabbath service may look something like this:
Imagine...
A group of 50 believers are gathered in a space that was once a home but has been refurnished to comfortably accommodate the congregation. After a time of restful fellowship, there’s an official call to assembly by the local leader. Everyone gathers in what was once the living room.
A small trio of musicians begins to lead the congregation in praise and worship. As the praise rises to heaven, the congregation participates in freedom. The audio is clearly heard through a simple amplification system. There are no stage lights, theatrics, or special effects — just the sound of authentic worship.
As the music fades, the local leader steps forward to begin the day’s study. He introduces and queues up a video on a large television on the wall. On screen, a teacher presents a 10-minute teaching, rooted solely in the authority of Scripture. When the teaching ends, a screen appears showing the day’s Scripture reading and a series of discussion questions to guide the congregation’s learning. One lesson might look like this:
Using the provided materials as a guide, the leader facilitates an open discussion with the congregation. Together, they read the Scriptures. They respond to the questions, sharing from the heart, pursuing sincerity and truth. The leader steers the conversation, ensuring the discussion remains on-topic and all constructive views are heard. As the discussion concludes, the congregation takes time to pray collectively for one another and for their study to bear fruit in their lives.
Together, they share a meal. The home’s natural environment allows the congregation to fellowship, the children to play, and for all to build authentic relationships with one another.
As the Sabbath progresses, the congregation settles into their places. Some return to their homes, compelled to meet the needs of their young children and to tend to other matters. Meanwhile, those who remain continue to press in further. Some hold a prayer meeting in one of the rooms. Others begin preparing meals for the homeless. And a third group begins working on yet another course of Biblical study.
There’s a sense of belonging and eternal meaning, as the congregation rests into the Sabbath and the Spirit of God.
The Mercy Gate Fellowship Leadership Experience
As a local leader of a Mercy Gate Fellowship, it will be your responsibility to lead your local congregation in Spirit and Truth. But you will not have to do it alone. You will receive ongoing support from those within Mercy Collective, including other leaders in your area.
As the leader, it will be your responsibility to coordinate the ministry of your congregation. This means that you will ensure the provision of the Sabbath services and the other ministries of your congregation's choosing. During the Sabbath services, you can rest. Your duties will center largely on facilitation, taking on as much or as little of a direct teaching role as you feel led.
Through our online leadership portal, you will have access to a wealth of teaching resources for your congregation. You will be able to choose from a video library of Hebraic, Biblical teachings to share with your congregation. These teachings will come from Mercy Collective leaders, other local leaders, and popular Messianic and Hebrew Roots teachers. The leadership portal will also provide you with access to leadership discussion boards and online chat support. There, you will be able to get the members of your congregation plugged in to receive updates, teachings, and invitations to special events and Feast gatherings.
Unlike traditional pastoral roles in contemporary congregations, you won’t have to be burdened with being the “Church CEO.” Mercy Collective will provide you with the spiritual, legal, and digital support needed to keep the congregation viable. This can include everything from financial contribution processing to website development to professional counseling services. Your congregation will also be promoted within our online network.