Friday
Clayton and Mikaylah
Mikaylah and I lived in Mississippi, and we were asked to come back home here to Texas, so here we are. Then, I asked Mikaylah's mom where she and Gary attended church and told her that I would like to check it out. Well, one Sunday we visited Commons, and we really liked the way Steve Bezner taught the word of God and overall enjoyed the welcome we had from everyone who belongs to Commons. Now, the reason we keep coming back is well, first things first, we love learning more and more of our Lord, plus it's like a whole new family we have. The gospel is great and GOD IS GOOD. :)
Saturday
The Gonzalezes
In the winter of 2011, our family was offered an opportunity to move to Ft. Worth to live. We had been searching for a new home and this seemed like an answer to our prayers, Yet we didn't want to make a move from Dallas to Ft Wort just for a house. We desired to be on a place where we could actively serve God live in community and accountability.
After finding out more about the community, some friends told us about the Commons Church. We were attracted by the vision and emphasis on building relationships and reaching out to the community.
With much peace and excitement, we moved to Ft Worth Dec 31st and the Commons Church immediately took us in as family.
With The Commons, we are developing close relationships, investing in others, and are using our gifts and talents for the Lord.
We love being a part of the Commons family!
Lisandro & Mary Gonzalez
Sammy & Joshua
Teddy Barbour
God kind of brought me to Commons it seems like at the perfect time. The past couple of years, I had been searching for a church and was in and out of different churches, but I couldn't seem to find the right one. When I was in New York City with Dr. Bezner for a missions tip, he invited me to come to Commons for a service. The reason I have stayed at Commons was because the church really shows what we believe in, not what we don't believe, which is unlike many other churches. I love the church and all of its members and I'm really excited that God has brought me to Commons!
Celeste Whisenant
I moved to fort worth exactly one year ago to start residency.
Growing up in San Marcos, I went to the church where Corey pastored my whole life, and I used to babysit for the Beardens in college. I knew that they had been a part of a church plant in Fort Worth, so I was excited to visit and ever since that first Sunday, I just felt at home. I was fresh from medical school in Houston (4 years in a city I never settled into with no church family and almost no friends) and one of my biggest prayers was that I would find a church fast. I more or less decided that I was just going to pick one church and commit, no church shopping at all. Praise the Lord that church was the Commons!
From day one I just felt loved and part of the family. The Common's Church was by far my biggest blessing of 2011 and one of those times that I just think "Wow God really answers prayer!!!".
Growing up in San Marcos, I went to the church where Corey pastored my whole life, and I used to babysit for the Beardens in college. I knew that they had been a part of a church plant in Fort Worth, so I was excited to visit and ever since that first Sunday, I just felt at home. I was fresh from medical school in Houston (4 years in a city I never settled into with no church family and almost no friends) and one of my biggest prayers was that I would find a church fast. I more or less decided that I was just going to pick one church and commit, no church shopping at all. Praise the Lord that church was the Commons!
From day one I just felt loved and part of the family. The Common's Church was by far my biggest blessing of 2011 and one of those times that I just think "Wow God really answers prayer!!!".
Friday
Will Brown
I grew up in a Christian home and was in church every Sunday and Wednesday. I went to vacation Bible school, was really involved in the youth group, FCA, etc. As a sophomore in high school, my family moved to Abilene, TX, which was good and bad, but I found myself in an internal fight against becoming “religious.” I also noticed that the intimacy of my relationships was not the same as they were prior to moving. Anyway, I went to college at Texas A&M and attended one of the “mega” churches there. I found it really easy to get lost in the shuffle, and being pre-med, studying made it difficult to attend events during the week. Although I was serving in a ministry within the church, I did not feel like I belonged to a church. After 6 years and 2 degrees at A&M, I was accepted into med school in Phoenix, AZ. This is where, for the first time since leaving Nocona, I felt like I had a church home. By the way, I promise this will tie into the Commons. In Phoenix, I attended a small service on Sunday evening called Crash, which is part of North Phoenix Baptist Church (yes, John McCain goes there). Being in med school, I spent almost all my time studying, and as it is now, I had a hard time making a lot of things other than Sunday night (this seems like a common thread in my life.) Rather than getting lost in the shuffle, I found people who met me where I was, supported and prayed for me as I went through one of the most difficult endeavors to that point I had attempted. One of these people is named Ken Pettis. Ken is an ex-convict who runs a ministry for guys getting out of prison. Every Sunday he greeted me with a hug and would ask how I was, not how’s med school. If I couldn’t make it on Sunday night, the following Monday I would get an email from Ken with a word of encouragement and asking how he could pray for me that week. For one of the few times in my life, I had someone take an interest in me spiritually, and I had never had someone outside of a Bible study ask me how they could pray for me. It was the intimate, rawness of Crash that made me realize that my days of attending a “mega” church were over, and I would always search out a small community of believers. (I still email with Ken every couple of months, he has since been diagnoses with AIDS, but despite his illness is continuing his ministry.)
Ok, so the Commons. My best friend, Kirk Gentzel, and Steve are good friends. Kirk began to tell me about Steve’s idea for starting a church in South Fort Worth. The more he described it, the more I loved the idea of creating a church that had the goal of being like yeast in a neighborhood. During my 4th year of med school, I lived in FW for a month while interviewing at John Peter Smith, so during that time I had the chance to meet Steve and attend the Commons, (it was still meeting at Joy and Steve's house). Once there, I realized I knew several people from my days in Abilene, one of whom would come to my parents house for dinner and then tutored me in Spanish my Junior year of high school (Kristen Horton). So when I made my decision to move to Fort Worth for residency, the Commons played a huge role in this decision. I knew my life would be dominated by work and that I would be working more Sundays than I would have off. Also, I knew that I would need someone to look out for me spiritually, this was a hard realization, since I’m usually the one taking care of people.
The Commons I feel has been my link to the outside world for the last 12 months. I’m forever indebted to this community for the love they have and continue to show me, even though I only get to attend maybe once a month. So that's my story. Our Lord has used the Commons to help me through one of the hardest years of my life, and is the constant reminder that there is hope despite suffering and that hope is and always will be Christ.
Ok, so the Commons. My best friend, Kirk Gentzel, and Steve are good friends. Kirk began to tell me about Steve’s idea for starting a church in South Fort Worth. The more he described it, the more I loved the idea of creating a church that had the goal of being like yeast in a neighborhood. During my 4th year of med school, I lived in FW for a month while interviewing at John Peter Smith, so during that time I had the chance to meet Steve and attend the Commons, (it was still meeting at Joy and Steve's house). Once there, I realized I knew several people from my days in Abilene, one of whom would come to my parents house for dinner and then tutored me in Spanish my Junior year of high school (Kristen Horton). So when I made my decision to move to Fort Worth for residency, the Commons played a huge role in this decision. I knew my life would be dominated by work and that I would be working more Sundays than I would have off. Also, I knew that I would need someone to look out for me spiritually, this was a hard realization, since I’m usually the one taking care of people.
The Commons I feel has been my link to the outside world for the last 12 months. I’m forever indebted to this community for the love they have and continue to show me, even though I only get to attend maybe once a month. So that's my story. Our Lord has used the Commons to help me through one of the hardest years of my life, and is the constant reminder that there is hope despite suffering and that hope is and always will be Christ.
The McKenzies
The McKenzie's LOVE Commons Church! In the past year J.J. was baptized by Luke and Steve. What a remarkable experience. That journey brought our family closer together and bonded us even tighter to the people in our church family. To have your child look forward to and enjoy going to church is a remarkable blessing! We also found a wonderful community group. We are starting to build some deeper relationships and friendships as we study the Bible with our Commons friends. I love hearing the children play as we share our prayers and concerns with each other. We look forward to many more years with our friends and neighbors at Commons Church!
Ashleigh Estes
All the cool kids were doing it…
After I graduated from college I was excited to be back in Fort Worth and start my “grown up” life. I figured I would return to the church I had grown up in because I was comfortable there and I don’t like change. I quickly realized that maybe that church was no longer where I needed to be. There were certain things I thought I needed in a church home that it was missing so I set out on a four year journey to find it….name almost any church in Fort Worth and I’ve visited it.
While I was in the middle of the great church search my good friend, Kristen, became involved with a church plant. It was interesting to hear about the process and the people involved with it and soon two more of my friends got involved with The Commons. They kept suggesting I visit and by this point I had been to so many churches I had lost count so what was one more. Besides, if my friends had jumped on board it had to be pretty good, right?
So, I finally caved agreed to walk into a stranger’s house one Sunday after meeting them for breakfast. I had no idea what to expect, but had been warned that someone named Steve would probably ask me a lot of questions. I don’t really remember much about that first visit other than thinking I had gotten off easy with the questions and The Commons was just too small for me.
I continued my search and finally found a church that met all my expectations. I settled there for awhile and it was easy to blend in and soak up solid Biblical teaching without pouring into anyone else. I soon realized I had been looking for a church based on what I thought I needed and not seeking the Lord in where he was leading me.
I returned to The Commons, now at Sue Crouch, prepared for the interrogation I knew was coming. As it turned out I would avoid all the questions again because I visited on “broken face Sunday.” In all my church wondering I had never met a group of people who were so welcoming and genuinely excited to see a new face and soon I was hooked.
To make an already long story short, after some initial reluctance, I knew The Commons was where God was leading me to grow and serve. It has been amazing to be part of a church that “does life together” and serves the community with love and joy.
After I graduated from college I was excited to be back in Fort Worth and start my “grown up” life. I figured I would return to the church I had grown up in because I was comfortable there and I don’t like change. I quickly realized that maybe that church was no longer where I needed to be. There were certain things I thought I needed in a church home that it was missing so I set out on a four year journey to find it….name almost any church in Fort Worth and I’ve visited it.
While I was in the middle of the great church search my good friend, Kristen, became involved with a church plant. It was interesting to hear about the process and the people involved with it and soon two more of my friends got involved with The Commons. They kept suggesting I visit and by this point I had been to so many churches I had lost count so what was one more. Besides, if my friends had jumped on board it had to be pretty good, right?
So, I finally caved agreed to walk into a stranger’s house one Sunday after meeting them for breakfast. I had no idea what to expect, but had been warned that someone named Steve would probably ask me a lot of questions. I don’t really remember much about that first visit other than thinking I had gotten off easy with the questions and The Commons was just too small for me.
I continued my search and finally found a church that met all my expectations. I settled there for awhile and it was easy to blend in and soak up solid Biblical teaching without pouring into anyone else. I soon realized I had been looking for a church based on what I thought I needed and not seeking the Lord in where he was leading me.
I returned to The Commons, now at Sue Crouch, prepared for the interrogation I knew was coming. As it turned out I would avoid all the questions again because I visited on “broken face Sunday.” In all my church wondering I had never met a group of people who were so welcoming and genuinely excited to see a new face and soon I was hooked.
To make an already long story short, after some initial reluctance, I knew The Commons was where God was leading me to grow and serve. It has been amazing to be part of a church that “does life together” and serves the community with love and joy.
Thursday
Kristen Horton
Dictionary.com says that an ecclesiastical community is a group of men and women leading a common life according to a rule. At Commons Church, I've found community among a group of men and women living life according to the rule of grace.
Sometimes, for me, community is knowing that when I get in a bind, I am expected to call on a Commoner for help. Help me pack my home. Help me move my stuff. Feed the cat when I'm away. Pick me up from the airport. Attend an event at work to support me. Serve with me. Host a community group for me. Fix a meal when I'm sick. Run an errand with me. Paint my kitchen. Lend me your car. Throw me a party. Water my yard. Change my flat tire. We even have a Twitter hash tag for such occasions, #commonschurchfun. If the Rangers stunning defeat the night we went to the game taught me anything, it was that Commoners simply love being together, even if the setting is a humid Wednesday night at the ballpark with a storm rolling in and the home team down by 17 runs. There is fun to be had, and there are memories to be made.
On a more serious note, the rule of grace in this community shines brightest when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. Walking through year two together, we're getting to know one another better. We're daring to trust one another with our struggles and the truths we wish were false. And, there is grace. There is a shared understanding. None of us is without faults. All of us stand in need of the grace of our Savior and therefore, have the joy of extending grace to our neighbors. This is our common life, our shared rule. Grace.
Sometimes, for me, community is knowing that when I get in a bind, I am expected to call on a Commoner for help. Help me pack my home. Help me move my stuff. Feed the cat when I'm away. Pick me up from the airport. Attend an event at work to support me. Serve with me. Host a community group for me. Fix a meal when I'm sick. Run an errand with me. Paint my kitchen. Lend me your car. Throw me a party. Water my yard. Change my flat tire. We even have a Twitter hash tag for such occasions, #commonschurchfun. If the Rangers stunning defeat the night we went to the game taught me anything, it was that Commoners simply love being together, even if the setting is a humid Wednesday night at the ballpark with a storm rolling in and the home team down by 17 runs. There is fun to be had, and there are memories to be made.
On a more serious note, the rule of grace in this community shines brightest when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. Walking through year two together, we're getting to know one another better. We're daring to trust one another with our struggles and the truths we wish were false. And, there is grace. There is a shared understanding. None of us is without faults. All of us stand in need of the grace of our Savior and therefore, have the joy of extending grace to our neighbors. This is our common life, our shared rule. Grace.
Carla Bryant
I enjoyed hosting the women's bible study. It has been wonderful studying God's word together, praying together and getting to know the ladies.
Chandler Floyd
I first heard about Commons from Coach Chappell and Coach Bird about 6 months ago. But I never took it as a big deal till two of my best friends Teddy Barbour and John Paul Watson actually took me in March. From that point on I fell in love with our church and knew there was no other place for me but here. I enjoy the sermons by dr. Bezner, and getting to know my teacher outside of school as well.
Erin Dunn
I am one of seven children – living in intimate proximity with people is not a difficult concept for me. But as I watch “community” unfold at the Commons, and experience it through the Commons, my understanding of it keeps shifting. It is shifting because the Commons – we get all in each other’s business in the most amazingly loving way. I have a unique perspective of community, being the leader of one of our several community groups. Watching the way that our small group lives life together has been the best mirror into “community” than anything I could have asked for.
Now, I am a 28 year old, single female. Leading a group of (mostly) married couples, (mostly) with children. Honestly, a year ago, there was no way that I would have believed I could have found actual community with this group. But over time, they have loved on me more than I ever expected, and they have spent time getting to know me – and they’ve done a far better job at extending community to me than I have to them.
Earlier this year, as our church studied through the New Testament and looked at The Kingdom, our community group spent a lot of time tearing apart the idea of living in concentric circles where Jesus was King. The more that we all learned what it meant for Jesus to be King in our lives – the more we realized that ultimately, we all really love the same things – each other! And the ways that we served our King best was in loving each other to death – and that has just started to happen naturally.
These people are becoming more than just the warm bodies that attend a bible study that I lead once a week. They are becoming my friends. They are sharing with me in life – they have taken a genuine interest in learning me. They look me in the eye and they ask me questions; they celebrate and grieve with me. I lead them each week, but they are the ones who give so much to me - in simply living life with me. There is not enough paper in the world for me to pen the ways these that are becoming “my people” have compelled my actions, behaviors, and opinions.
This is how I have experienced community at the Commons. I experience it every single time one of my people smiles knowingly at me, or prays with me, or laughs with me. And each one of those experiences are sculpting who I am – because with each experience my heart softens and grows and beats with the love of our King, not just for them, but for anyone that touches one of our kingdom circles.
Now, I am a 28 year old, single female. Leading a group of (mostly) married couples, (mostly) with children. Honestly, a year ago, there was no way that I would have believed I could have found actual community with this group. But over time, they have loved on me more than I ever expected, and they have spent time getting to know me – and they’ve done a far better job at extending community to me than I have to them.
Earlier this year, as our church studied through the New Testament and looked at The Kingdom, our community group spent a lot of time tearing apart the idea of living in concentric circles where Jesus was King. The more that we all learned what it meant for Jesus to be King in our lives – the more we realized that ultimately, we all really love the same things – each other! And the ways that we served our King best was in loving each other to death – and that has just started to happen naturally.
These people are becoming more than just the warm bodies that attend a bible study that I lead once a week. They are becoming my friends. They are sharing with me in life – they have taken a genuine interest in learning me. They look me in the eye and they ask me questions; they celebrate and grieve with me. I lead them each week, but they are the ones who give so much to me - in simply living life with me. There is not enough paper in the world for me to pen the ways these that are becoming “my people” have compelled my actions, behaviors, and opinions.
This is how I have experienced community at the Commons. I experience it every single time one of my people smiles knowingly at me, or prays with me, or laughs with me. And each one of those experiences are sculpting who I am – because with each experience my heart softens and grows and beats with the love of our King, not just for them, but for anyone that touches one of our kingdom circles.
Los Barhams
The Commons Story- According to the Barhams
We were fortunate enough for God to lead us to The Commons through mutual acquaintances that we knew from Hardin-Simmons University. One Sunday, we decided we might as well try yet another church in the greater DFW area and found ourselves in a small living room in southwest Fort Worth. This place wasn't like all of the other corporate churches we had attended once or twice from week to week, this was obviously a community of people who were vested in one another's lives. This church valued community and the relationships fostered there were genuine. This small group of people sitting in Steve and Joy's living room was a family and we could not ignore God's will for us to get involved with this church. Brad was in his second year of medical school at the time so saying that joining a small church that needed a great deal of volunteer support would be tough, would be an understatement! Little did we know, the areas that the we were able to serve in were deeply rewarding to our stage of life. It was an absolute joy for Brad to help plan and lead worship on Sunday mornings, not only because it gave him a much needed excuse to take a break from studying, but how rewarding it was to find ways to focus energy solely on worshipping the Lord. It was also such a blessing to love on our little ones in the nursery! **Side Note--I can't believe a scouting agent hasn't come by to scout some of those precious faces for a Gerber ad yet! :) Unfortunately, we knew our time was limited at the Commons as Brad was approaching the end of medical school and we would be moving for residency. This was a truly emotional time for us as we came to the realization that we would no longer walk in weekly community with all of the amazing people we had come to love over the 2 years at the Commons. We will never forget the lasting impact that our church family has had on us and how at home we felt within the Common's loving walls. The heart and mission behind the Commons Church is absolutely fantastic and will benefit this community for years to come. We look forward to hearing about the wonderful things that are to come!
We were fortunate enough for God to lead us to The Commons through mutual acquaintances that we knew from Hardin-Simmons University. One Sunday, we decided we might as well try yet another church in the greater DFW area and found ourselves in a small living room in southwest Fort Worth. This place wasn't like all of the other corporate churches we had attended once or twice from week to week, this was obviously a community of people who were vested in one another's lives. This church valued community and the relationships fostered there were genuine. This small group of people sitting in Steve and Joy's living room was a family and we could not ignore God's will for us to get involved with this church. Brad was in his second year of medical school at the time so saying that joining a small church that needed a great deal of volunteer support would be tough, would be an understatement! Little did we know, the areas that the we were able to serve in were deeply rewarding to our stage of life. It was an absolute joy for Brad to help plan and lead worship on Sunday mornings, not only because it gave him a much needed excuse to take a break from studying, but how rewarding it was to find ways to focus energy solely on worshipping the Lord. It was also such a blessing to love on our little ones in the nursery! **Side Note--I can't believe a scouting agent hasn't come by to scout some of those precious faces for a Gerber ad yet! :) Unfortunately, we knew our time was limited at the Commons as Brad was approaching the end of medical school and we would be moving for residency. This was a truly emotional time for us as we came to the realization that we would no longer walk in weekly community with all of the amazing people we had come to love over the 2 years at the Commons. We will never forget the lasting impact that our church family has had on us and how at home we felt within the Common's loving walls. The heart and mission behind the Commons Church is absolutely fantastic and will benefit this community for years to come. We look forward to hearing about the wonderful things that are to come!
Jason Farquhar
As we finish year 2 this still seems, in many respects, like a very new endeavor. What is amazing, though, are the connections that have been made in that very short time. What you find is that when you start doing life with other people--sharing successes and failures, heartaches and happiness—and working side by side with them that an impression is made. One that will probably never fade. And one that when you are pulled away (like to work in another state for long stretches) or others take their leave (to follow a dream and the path for their life) a slight sadness seeps in. While it might be odd to talk about sadness as we celebrate, I count it a blessing that in such a short time this community has grown and strengthened to the point where not only one’s presence is appreciated, but one’s absence never goes unnoticed.
Emily Rider
Being a nurse we have crazy schedules. My first year at Commons Church I worked in the evening time, and I went to all of the community groups. Everyone was so welcoming as always. At church everyone would ask ‘what week is this?’ because I was the community group floater, but it worked! It didn’t matter what group I went to I always felt connected with great people. My schedule changed my 2nd year because I moved to the morning shift which meant that I could go to the same community group every week but I could only attend church every 3rd Sunday. I started going to Lorenzo and Claire Pablo’s community group it was a real way for me to experience community. Through the group I was able to feel connected with my church even though I didn’t get to worship with everyone on Sunday. These amazing people gathered every week to celebrate life and the word of the Lord. Through laughs, tears, prayers, and a good meal it was always what we needed to make it through the week. I have recently moved and found myself faced with new challenges which are exciting but very scary. My community group is still there for me along with Steve and Joy. I still get my text during ‘text time’ which always makes my day. I always know I have a home at Commons Church and even though I miss everyone so much I love to come visit, and I know that if I ever need anything or if they ever need me we are just a phone call away.
Emily Rider
Emily Rider
Deidre Sensiba
For me what brought me to the desire of going to church, as I hadnt been in a long while, was the need to reconnect to my spiritual side and the fellowship of like minded people.
I knew the moment I walked in the door that God had sent me to the right place as He always does. The warmth of every single person in that room warmed my heart in a way that I havent ever felt. Being baptized that same day is the most amazing experience of my life and I'm very happy that I had the opportunity to have Steve baptize me. I love Commons Church and all that it represents. I am home.
I knew the moment I walked in the door that God had sent me to the right place as He always does. The warmth of every single person in that room warmed my heart in a way that I havent ever felt. Being baptized that same day is the most amazing experience of my life and I'm very happy that I had the opportunity to have Steve baptize me. I love Commons Church and all that it represents. I am home.
The Essells
Dave Essells: I experience community at The Commons when we meet together, talk together, pray together and eat doughnuts together. We are part of God’s community in learning about God’s love because we know he has it all together.
Lois Essells: I experience community at The Commons when we work together on set-up and take-down. This time of work together allows us to get better acquainted with Commoners who’ve been here for 2+ years or 2+ weeks. Additionally, other service opportunities allow community to grow in a variety of settings where we all can exercise God’s gifts in our lives. Finally, our time weekly of celebrating Communion together draws us closer to each other and God. It reminds us of the future time when we celebrate the supper of the Lamb in Heaven.
Lois Essells: I experience community at The Commons when we work together on set-up and take-down. This time of work together allows us to get better acquainted with Commoners who’ve been here for 2+ years or 2+ weeks. Additionally, other service opportunities allow community to grow in a variety of settings where we all can exercise God’s gifts in our lives. Finally, our time weekly of celebrating Communion together draws us closer to each other and God. It reminds us of the future time when we celebrate the supper of the Lamb in Heaven.
Wednesday
Charlene Miller
God brought us to Commons Church through an invitation from a dear friends, Scott & Kathy Haxel.
We've stayed because of the great love & support that we felt early, early on & it's only continued to grow deeper! My favorite thought of Commons was expressed by Dan Chappell one night in our community group... when he is asked what kind of a church is the Commons Church, he replies, "it's a church where we haven't learned to be fake yet"!!...I love that!! Everyone is real here & everyone has a real desire to love God & to grow in & share that love with everyone... & it shows every time we get together!
We've stayed because of the great love & support that we felt early, early on & it's only continued to grow deeper! My favorite thought of Commons was expressed by Dan Chappell one night in our community group... when he is asked what kind of a church is the Commons Church, he replies, "it's a church where we haven't learned to be fake yet"!!...I love that!! Everyone is real here & everyone has a real desire to love God & to grow in & share that love with everyone... & it shows every time we get together!
The Haxels
Year two for the Haxel family saw the saddest day since we’ve been at the Church. It was the day we left our home of 12 years. It was the only home our kids had ever known and was the place where God took His rightful place in our family. It was also near the epicenter of the phenomenon known as the Commons Church which was the avenue God used to save my family.
In year two we saw not only growth in the Church but amazing fellowship and community within that growth. And when it was time for us to leave, as sad as it was, everyone knew God’s hand was in it and rallied to help. Through all the tears everyone had joy in knowing God’s will was at work.
In all my life I’ve never been a part of a community that cared for each other the way we do in this church. No one is neglected whether it is in praise or in time of need and the glory is always God’s.
Very possibly, in the near future we will have to leave the Commons due to a work related move. But if that happens we now know what a Christ based, Holy Spirit filled Church looks and feels like and if we cant find one then quit possibly we’ll have to start one.
The Haxel Family
Lyssa Kolb
In my procrastination to write about Community at Commons Church, I googled the word "community" four different times, watched half a season of the comedic tv series Community and popped in on three different Commons families with little to no notice and stayed too long at all three homes. The first two things weren't overly helpful but the third was... and not just because I was given free food! The third helped me realize we have something special at Commons Church... our sense of community and involvement in each others lives goes past just Sunday services and mid week bible studies.
Ive been asked before if it ever makes me uncomfortable to go to a church that is so family orientated since I attend as a single person who is not part of a family unit, and I tell them that is something I honestly forget most of the time because Commoners are a very loving and friendly group of people! I
don't worry about if I'll have to sit alone on sundays because it never fails that Joy, Susan or more often than not my new best friend Zoe and the Chappell Clan will have a seat waiting for me.
I've been racking my brain trying to come up with "one super amazingly awesome" example of community that I've experienced in the past year and it's been really difficult. Not because there are none , but rather because there are so many. The Laws who have been loving and accepting of me both in church and at their out of state family functions. The Essells who picked me up when I was stranded at a train station last fall even though we barely knew each at the time AND this spring offered me a place in their family Easter portrait since I didn't have my family to take a picture with. My three favorite newly wed couples, the Devlins, the Nichols and the Pablos who could easily have turned our bible study into the young married couple group and kicked me out, but have been nothing but inclusive, kind and generally awesome. And of course there's Zoe Chappell, a little girl who is so full of love that she occasionally explodes like a small grenade of excitement.
Basically I found I don't have "one super amazingly awesome" example, but rather "a million little great ones" .. And I think I like those better because it shows that it wasn't just ONE time that a grand gesture of community and kindness was made towards me, but rather that I've consistently been taken in and shown grace and love by the wonderful people of Commons.
Ive been asked before if it ever makes me uncomfortable to go to a church that is so family orientated since I attend as a single person who is not part of a family unit, and I tell them that is something I honestly forget most of the time because Commoners are a very loving and friendly group of people! I
don't worry about if I'll have to sit alone on sundays because it never fails that Joy, Susan or more often than not my new best friend Zoe and the Chappell Clan will have a seat waiting for me.
I've been racking my brain trying to come up with "one super amazingly awesome" example of community that I've experienced in the past year and it's been really difficult. Not because there are none , but rather because there are so many. The Laws who have been loving and accepting of me both in church and at their out of state family functions. The Essells who picked me up when I was stranded at a train station last fall even though we barely knew each at the time AND this spring offered me a place in their family Easter portrait since I didn't have my family to take a picture with. My three favorite newly wed couples, the Devlins, the Nichols and the Pablos who could easily have turned our bible study into the young married couple group and kicked me out, but have been nothing but inclusive, kind and generally awesome. And of course there's Zoe Chappell, a little girl who is so full of love that she occasionally explodes like a small grenade of excitement.
Basically I found I don't have "one super amazingly awesome" example, but rather "a million little great ones" .. And I think I like those better because it shows that it wasn't just ONE time that a grand gesture of community and kindness was made towards me, but rather that I've consistently been taken in and shown grace and love by the wonderful people of Commons.
The Beardens
This second year at The Commons began with a lot of changes with our family. We were able to finally move into Fort Worth last July (the same month that we celebrated our first church anniversary)! Nathan and Kate started new schools and we began adjusting to our new surroundings. We were very excited to be able to host a Community Group this year and have loved getting to know each individual that attended our group on Wednesdays on a more deeper level.
Being able to be "in community" with our Commons church family has been one of the greatest rewards this year. Fostering and building relationships, praying and helping to serve our church family whenever possible has brought us all closer together. God has been so faithful and it is has been exciting to watch or hear how He has answered prayers for our church. We look forward to what lies ahead in the coming year!
Corey, Jennifer, Nathan and Kate Bearden
Being able to be "in community" with our Commons church family has been one of the greatest rewards this year. Fostering and building relationships, praying and helping to serve our church family whenever possible has brought us all closer together. God has been so faithful and it is has been exciting to watch or hear how He has answered prayers for our church. We look forward to what lies ahead in the coming year!
Corey, Jennifer, Nathan and Kate Bearden
Rita and Elizabeth Shelton
Our spiritual journey to Commons:
1st contact:
Christmas Eve 2011, we missed our Christmas candlelight worship service at 4:00 o’clock at our small community church. Hey I found the Commons flyer and it’s at Sue Crouch. My daughter wanted to see her school she attended for sixth!! Let’s go. Oh. We were late. We missed Commons on Christmas Eve. We ended up going to South Hill Baptist that night.
“Half” visit:
It was February 25. We’ve attended the “Cowtown Marathon” church service at 5:30 and finished Cowtown. Hey, it’s not even 11:00. Perhaps we can go to “the church at Sue Crouch”…Steve started preaching when we got there. Biblical teaching, very good.
“Full” visit:
We knew that there would be some kind of family Sunday School. So we came at 9:45. After the worship, we stayed to help putting the tables back. My daughter wanted to come back the next Sunday. I told her we should pray about it because we should commit to our church until God told us to go. We went back to our community the next Sunday. Then we came back to visit again.
Why we stay?
One day at work I came across a guy who is a shepherd at our small community church, he noticed that my daughter and I were not at church for “the last two weeks”. I told him we’ve gone to visit “the church at Sue Crouch”. He told me, ”that’s good as long as you get fed.” I pondered what he said. Then the wife of a shepherd from the community church emailed me and wondered where my daughter and I were…”As long as you get fed.” “How long can you spoon feed a baby?” I emailed her back. God answered my prayers. We are staying at Commons.
The Shelton Family
1st contact:
Christmas Eve 2011, we missed our Christmas candlelight worship service at 4:00 o’clock at our small community church. Hey I found the Commons flyer and it’s at Sue Crouch. My daughter wanted to see her school she attended for sixth!! Let’s go. Oh. We were late. We missed Commons on Christmas Eve. We ended up going to South Hill Baptist that night.
“Half” visit:
It was February 25. We’ve attended the “Cowtown Marathon” church service at 5:30 and finished Cowtown. Hey, it’s not even 11:00. Perhaps we can go to “the church at Sue Crouch”…Steve started preaching when we got there. Biblical teaching, very good.
“Full” visit:
We knew that there would be some kind of family Sunday School. So we came at 9:45. After the worship, we stayed to help putting the tables back. My daughter wanted to come back the next Sunday. I told her we should pray about it because we should commit to our church until God told us to go. We went back to our community the next Sunday. Then we came back to visit again.
Why we stay?
One day at work I came across a guy who is a shepherd at our small community church, he noticed that my daughter and I were not at church for “the last two weeks”. I told him we’ve gone to visit “the church at Sue Crouch”. He told me, ”that’s good as long as you get fed.” I pondered what he said. Then the wife of a shepherd from the community church emailed me and wondered where my daughter and I were…”As long as you get fed.” “How long can you spoon feed a baby?” I emailed her back. God answered my prayers. We are staying at Commons.
The Shelton Family
The Devlins
For us, Commons Church began as a resting place. Last November, I was wrapping up a two-year stint of tough youth ministry. Our marriage was six months old and we were exhausted from a lifestyle of service that was stretching us thin and weary of a lack of genuine, uplifting, church-centered relationships. Commons Church, of course, met our needs and it didn’t take long for us to limber up and naturally begin serving again.
I (Luke), for one, have been involved in small (an arbitrary term, admittedly) churches my whole life. It’s never been my intention but it’s how things always turn out. Commons Church is the one I’ve seen most content with its identity, albeit an evolving one. This body is content with its size, with hopes to grow, but not pressure. The parts of this body are similar: with hopes to be like Christ, but without judgment or admonishment.
There is variety, fluidity, and commonality in this church. Most importantly, there is an abundance of grace. That grace, I think, is rooted in its identity. Before any of us are “-ists” under any “-isms,” we’re simply self-proclaimed commoners. We’re just people. And that’s why Catelyn and I have stuck around. We like people.
I (Luke), for one, have been involved in small (an arbitrary term, admittedly) churches my whole life. It’s never been my intention but it’s how things always turn out. Commons Church is the one I’ve seen most content with its identity, albeit an evolving one. This body is content with its size, with hopes to grow, but not pressure. The parts of this body are similar: with hopes to be like Christ, but without judgment or admonishment.
There is variety, fluidity, and commonality in this church. Most importantly, there is an abundance of grace. That grace, I think, is rooted in its identity. Before any of us are “-ists” under any “-isms,” we’re simply self-proclaimed commoners. We’re just people. And that’s why Catelyn and I have stuck around. We like people.
Claire Pablo
From the moment I entered the Law’s home for the first time for a Wednesday night Bible study in 2010 I felt welcomed and loved. As the Bible study turned into a small church meeting in the Bezner’s living room, and that small church meeting in a living room turned into a growing church meeting in a school, the church has not lost its commitment to welcome strangers, to befriend those who haven’t been in church for years, or to love those who might have different experiences and interests than other members of the Commons.
When I think about community within a church the first things that come to my mind are church potlucks and mingling before the service starts. We definitely have those kinds of things at the Common’s, but we have so much more. The Commons has taken the call to love others as Jesus loves us very seriously; that love is shown as we live in community and share our lives with each other. There are so many ways we serve and love each other, like picking someone up from the airport, texting someone when you think of them during the week, crying with someone as they share what’s really on their heart, committing to help pass out coffee and donuts early on a Saturday morning when you could be sleeping, sending emails with praises of answered prayers, and taking time out of your week to grab a meal or coffee with a new church member who will later become a friend not just someone you see on Sunday mornings. The Commons is most definitely not a church building or a church service on Sundays, but a group of believers seeking to know Christ, to encourage each other, to support each other, and to reach out to others and bring them in.
The Pedrozas
GOD BROUGHT US TO COMMONS CHURCH THROUGH OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH OCTAVIO AND ANGELICA EZQUEDA WHO INTRODUCED US TO THOMAS, THOMAS INVITED US TO COMMONS, ONCE WE STARTED GOING TO COMMONS WE HAVE MANY REASONS WE CONTINUE TO GO TO COMMONS OR HAVE STAYED AT COMMONS, SOME ARE THE FOLLOWING.
ONE OTHER REASON (AND VERY IMPORTANT REASON FOR ME ) WE CONTINUE TO GO TO COMMONS IS THE CHURCH FAMILY WE NOW HAVE. OUR CHURCH FAMILY MAKES OUR FAMILY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED, OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS SINCERELY INTERESTED WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR LIFE. I FEEL OUR CHURCH FAMILY WANTS THE BEST FOR MY FAMILY, ALSO OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS A POSITIVE INFLUENCE FOR MY FAMILY. I SPECIALLY LIKE THAT COMMONS HELPS THOSE THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE, AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO HELP THE NEEDED AND THE POOR.
THANK YOU.
DIEGO, SANDRA, MICHAEL AND NATALIA PEDROZA.
- TO WORSHIP, EVERYTHING WE ARE AND HAVE IS A GIFT FROM HIM. IN MY FAMILY'S LIFE GOD HAS BLESSED US MANY TIMES, AND GOD CONTINUES TO BLESS US.
- TO LOVE AND ENCOURAGE OUR CHURCH FAMILY. WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER, JUST LIKE GOD DID.
- TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, TO COMFORT EACH OTHER, TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND ALWAYS BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER. WE ALL HAVE TROUBLES AND DILEMMAS AND IT'S NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE IN THOSE TIMES.
- TO FEED OUR SOUL WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
- TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE. WE LOVE THAT WE ARE LEARNING THE BIBLE AND WE LOVE THAT MICHAEL AND NATALIA ARE LEARNING THE BIBLE.
- TO BE FORGIVEN, WE KNOW THAT GOD IS AT CHURCH AND THAT HE FORGIVES US SINS.
ONE OTHER REASON (AND VERY IMPORTANT REASON FOR ME ) WE CONTINUE TO GO TO COMMONS IS THE CHURCH FAMILY WE NOW HAVE. OUR CHURCH FAMILY MAKES OUR FAMILY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND RELAXED, OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS SINCERELY INTERESTED WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR LIFE. I FEEL OUR CHURCH FAMILY WANTS THE BEST FOR MY FAMILY, ALSO OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS A POSITIVE INFLUENCE FOR MY FAMILY. I SPECIALLY LIKE THAT COMMONS HELPS THOSE THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE, AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO HELP THE NEEDED AND THE POOR.
THANK YOU.
DIEGO, SANDRA, MICHAEL AND NATALIA PEDROZA.
The Birds
Our family's world in the past year has been molded by the community of The Commons in many areas. Spiritually - Amy and I both feel that we are spending more time in scripture, prayer, and reflection than we ever have. Our Wednesday night community group and our Sunday morning family and worship time have been the catalyst for this for sure. It has led to us as a couple being more willing and comfortable to have a deeper time of spiritual reflection and prayer as a family. It also led to us all being able to recite the books of the Bible thanks to our Auto-Tuned Bible Book CD we wore out from Commons Family Time! Emotioinally - Our friendships, that continue to grow more and more everyday are very special to us. The relationships to individuals and families here at The Commons are something we really cherish. This year we have found we direct more of our "go to" phone calls and emails to our church mates. What I mean is, when we have a need to reach out to share good news, sad news, or ask for help, we are seeing it is our Common's family that we are turning to more and more. Finally I think we see that our fellowship with our church has turned into one of our highlights of our year. Community group on Wednesday nights is something we look forward to every week. It is an amazing time to connect, laugh, cry, and share. No matter how tired we are, it always energizes us! We have had wonderful time in the smaller settings with friends for a meal, or a celebration of some time type from Birthdays, Christmas celebrations, New Years, mission meals, Super Bowls, or any other excuse we can find to hang out. It is just a really special place for us. As we try to figure out how best to chase after and serve our God we appreciate the support and the encouragement we receive constantly from our Commons family, it is also a wonderful way for us to model for our children how we think Christians should interact and sharpen one another. Without a doubt we are so thankful for the community we have grown with in the past year.
Coby, Amy, Aza, and Elena Bird
Coby, Amy, Aza, and Elena Bird
The O'Briens
YEAR #2!
As Commons Church nears its 2nd anniversary and Kristen is, again, compiling stories from church members and families regarding how Commons has touched their lives (and the lives of others), I sit here at my computer with so many thoughts whirling through my brain.
It’s been another interesting, challenging, blessed and unbelievable year at Commons Church.
This year has gifted us with newly adopted Congo babies, our first Commons wedding, many new Commons Church members and several individuals coming to Christ through baptism.
Each Sunday there are new faces in the crowd. Some have heard of us through mutual friends, some of them have simply stopped in out of curiosity from seeing “Commons Church” signs outside Sue Crouch Intermediate, and some have received flyers on their doors regarding block parties, Easter and/or Christmas celebrations. God continues to bless our church with new faces and new friendships.
Over the past year, we’ve seen some of our regular members leave our church family to pursue promising career opportunities outside of Fort Worth. While they may not be here with us in person, their friendship and place in Commons Church will never be forgotten.
Sean and I have personally faced a multitude of challenges this past year. We honestly admit that we feel we never would have “made it through” these hardships if not for our Commons Church family. The never-ending prayers, understanding, support and love showered upon us from all different directions is immeasurable.
If someone were to ask me to describe our church in one word, it would be: FAMILY.
We accept each other “as is” … and without judgment. We openly admit that we are ALL broken and fall short of God’s grace. And we, together, help each other be better people, better Christians, and better in life.
So, how has Commons Church touched our lives? In every possible way.
Sean, Brody, Erin and I are different people since becoming “Commoners” … and it has been the biggest and best blessing that our family could’ve ever wished for. Each year brings us even more peace in our lives, more strength in our faith and more depth in our friendships with fellow Commoners.
We are PROUD members of Commons Church and look forward to yet another exciting year as God continues to bless our ever-growing congregation!
As Commons Church nears its 2nd anniversary and Kristen is, again, compiling stories from church members and families regarding how Commons has touched their lives (and the lives of others), I sit here at my computer with so many thoughts whirling through my brain.
It’s been another interesting, challenging, blessed and unbelievable year at Commons Church.
This year has gifted us with newly adopted Congo babies, our first Commons wedding, many new Commons Church members and several individuals coming to Christ through baptism.
Each Sunday there are new faces in the crowd. Some have heard of us through mutual friends, some of them have simply stopped in out of curiosity from seeing “Commons Church” signs outside Sue Crouch Intermediate, and some have received flyers on their doors regarding block parties, Easter and/or Christmas celebrations. God continues to bless our church with new faces and new friendships.
Over the past year, we’ve seen some of our regular members leave our church family to pursue promising career opportunities outside of Fort Worth. While they may not be here with us in person, their friendship and place in Commons Church will never be forgotten.
Sean and I have personally faced a multitude of challenges this past year. We honestly admit that we feel we never would have “made it through” these hardships if not for our Commons Church family. The never-ending prayers, understanding, support and love showered upon us from all different directions is immeasurable.
If someone were to ask me to describe our church in one word, it would be: FAMILY.
We accept each other “as is” … and without judgment. We openly admit that we are ALL broken and fall short of God’s grace. And we, together, help each other be better people, better Christians, and better in life.
So, how has Commons Church touched our lives? In every possible way.
Sean, Brody, Erin and I are different people since becoming “Commoners” … and it has been the biggest and best blessing that our family could’ve ever wished for. Each year brings us even more peace in our lives, more strength in our faith and more depth in our friendships with fellow Commoners.
We are PROUD members of Commons Church and look forward to yet another exciting year as God continues to bless our ever-growing congregation!
The Chappells
"Steve, what should we do? this is moving a lot faster than we thought it would. If we accept these referrals we will need to come up with a lot of money in a short amount of time. This feels so crazy." This is an example of a conversation we had with Steve as we prayed and thought through those first few days after getting two precious photos of two little congolese children who were in need of parents. It was happening a lot faster than we had thought or been told to expect. But just as pregnancy often has it's surprises so did this process. I think what we were amazed by was the support and encouragement we were given not only by Steve and Joy but by the whole Commons church body. I remember everyone crowding around us at church as I showed off the latest photo updates of our future son and daughter. They were just as giddy as I was. And so we launched into a 6 month whirlwind of fundraising, paperwork, preparing, expecting, waiting, and excitement. All of which various church members were a part of. They believed God was going to do this. They didn't think we were crazy. They prayed for these babies they hadn't ever met before. They provided countless things that were needed for our trip over there.... I mean from formula, to baby bottles, to baseball hats, to coffee creamer.... they helped provide for this epic adventure we were about to embark upon. Once we were over there they sent encouraging Facebook messages and comments... they skyped with us, they prayed for us when things were difficult. They welcomed us ALL home with open arms, hugging and kissing and holding these newest Chappells, begging to serve in the nursery to get some time with them, and throwing us a welcome babies party!!! Still months later they all come up to us at church and want to hold a certain kid or let them sit with them in church. They have invested in our family as we know it now and are a part of what God has mightily done in the lives of these two children who once were homeless, hurting and helpless and are now a very important, very loved part of a forever family. "Dan, if God is doing this, which I believe He is... He will provide and He will do this!! You're not crazy.... you're being obedient to the Spirit." Dan sighed and smiled and said, "You're right Steve. He will do this. Thanks for listening to us. I'm going to let you go so I can call the agency and tell them that these two orphans are no longer orphans and they have parents who want them and are coming to get them as soon as we can!"
The Bezners and a Motley Crew
The Commons began as an experiment.
Our desire was simple: we wanted to see if we could do church with an emphasis on community as described in the New Testament. We had no idea if our experiment would work; in fact, we were hedging our bets that it might not. When we met for worship the first time as a church, we jokingly made a pact: We would give the church two years, and then, if it didn't take, we would call it quits.
Who could ever think of quitting now? The experiment is two years old, and the community has reflected the ancient church in ways that are beyond measure.
Each Sunday morning, a team of volunteers unloads a trailer, brews coffee, delivers donuts, inflates a bounce house and transforms our local school into a house of worship. Then different volunteers lead worship, run our technical team, disciple our children, and love on one another. Then we all pack up a trailer in preparation for next week. There are no bystanders in biblical community.
From time to time we have had needs emerge in our church. When Susan had surgery, we brought food. When Bethany Law was ill, we comforted and prayed. When men in our church underwent job changes, we rallied. When families moved, we carried furniture. When I broke my face, my friends drank milkshakes with me. There is rich love in biblical community.
We have had spiritual renewal in our church. We have seen grade schoolers, teenagers, and adults give their lives to Christ. We have watched people read the New Testament for the first time. We have seen spiritual growth as people have confessed sin, responded in obedience, and turned their lives toward the Kingdom. We have seen families take deep steps of faith, and we have seen small responses that have shaped our church. There are people responding to God in biblical community.
And, through it all, we have worked to love our neighbors. We have purchased Christmas gifts and school supplies for those who are in need; we have donated money to Cornerstone Assistance Network; we have held neighborhood Bible clubs; we have volunteered at local events; we have fed school teachers. There is a contagiousness in biblical community.
Our desire was simple: we wanted to see if we could do church with an emphasis on community as described in the New Testament. We had no idea if our experiment would work; in fact, we were hedging our bets that it might not. When we met for worship the first time as a church, we jokingly made a pact: We would give the church two years, and then, if it didn't take, we would call it quits.
Who could ever think of quitting now? The experiment is two years old, and the community has reflected the ancient church in ways that are beyond measure.
Each Sunday morning, a team of volunteers unloads a trailer, brews coffee, delivers donuts, inflates a bounce house and transforms our local school into a house of worship. Then different volunteers lead worship, run our technical team, disciple our children, and love on one another. Then we all pack up a trailer in preparation for next week. There are no bystanders in biblical community.
From time to time we have had needs emerge in our church. When Susan had surgery, we brought food. When Bethany Law was ill, we comforted and prayed. When men in our church underwent job changes, we rallied. When families moved, we carried furniture. When I broke my face, my friends drank milkshakes with me. There is rich love in biblical community.
We have had spiritual renewal in our church. We have seen grade schoolers, teenagers, and adults give their lives to Christ. We have watched people read the New Testament for the first time. We have seen spiritual growth as people have confessed sin, responded in obedience, and turned their lives toward the Kingdom. We have seen families take deep steps of faith, and we have seen small responses that have shaped our church. There are people responding to God in biblical community.
And, through it all, we have worked to love our neighbors. We have purchased Christmas gifts and school supplies for those who are in need; we have donated money to Cornerstone Assistance Network; we have held neighborhood Bible clubs; we have volunteered at local events; we have fed school teachers. There is a contagiousness in biblical community.
To be sure, The Commons is far from perfect. We are a motley crew of sinners with our own unique set of issues. But we live in light of grace, a grace so rich that it cannot be ignored. And this grace draws us together. It is grace that makes those of us imperfect able to have community at all.
And that, I suppose, is the secret of the experiment:
There is grace is biblical community.
May we continue to extend grace in the next year, and as long as we each have breath.
And that, I suppose, is the secret of the experiment:
There is grace is biblical community.
May we continue to extend grace in the next year, and as long as we each have breath.
Tuesday
The Laws
One of the things that has blessed us the most about the Commons Church is the community that forms among it's people. They care for one another and share in life together. It doesn't matter if you have been here from the first day or last week was your first Sunday. You are part of the family and as such we want you to join in the celebration in our homes, at church or wherever we find ourselves. Our gatherings are times of great celebration and fellowship.
Another wonderful part of the Commons community is the sharing of resources - we have benefited from member's knowledge and expertise in areas that helped our family directly - from fixing an AC unit to prayer and advice on a difficult matter.
We feel that community at our church can be summarized in two words - Common Unity.
Blessings,
Thomas and Kimberly Law
Thomas and Kimberly Law
The Garretts
When God led us to Commons Church less than a year ago we were attending another church in the area, but not really experiencing community. It was our desire to find a place to serve and connect with others. We had all but given up on ever finding a church we would call home.
One Sunday morning we were running late for our church which was twenty minutes away. John suggested we try Commons since it was in the neighborhood. I agreed thinking we would attend the one service and never go back again. It was refreshing to be welcomed by so many wonderful people. Best of all we both sensed gods presence throughout the service. When we left we knew we had found our church home
God has blessed our family through CC in so many ways. John has had the opportunity to lead worship and we both have been able to serve the community through outreach ministries. I can't think of just one reason why we stayed. Community, spiritual growth and opportunity to serve are just a few things that come to mind. Even our four year gets excited about going to church. We all love Commons Church!
One Sunday morning we were running late for our church which was twenty minutes away. John suggested we try Commons since it was in the neighborhood. I agreed thinking we would attend the one service and never go back again. It was refreshing to be welcomed by so many wonderful people. Best of all we both sensed gods presence throughout the service. When we left we knew we had found our church home
God has blessed our family through CC in so many ways. John has had the opportunity to lead worship and we both have been able to serve the community through outreach ministries. I can't think of just one reason why we stayed. Community, spiritual growth and opportunity to serve are just a few things that come to mind. Even our four year gets excited about going to church. We all love Commons Church!
Lorenzo Pablo
It is always encouraging to see members make meals and give brief phone calls to other members that are sick or are in some sort of need- as a body these are things we should do. However, this past year I've seen people mourn and cry with those that are hurting, rejoice, praise, and laugh with those celebrating, and encourage, pray, and help one another spiritually, mentally, and physically that needed it. We have shared the Gospel with the lost and chased and loved on those that were straying away. Members of the Commons Church exemplify community. It has been an honor these past years to be part of such a loving community who personifies Christ's love to His creation. Personally, the church got to witness the relationship between Claire and I grow into a marriage while getting prayer along every step of the way, and emotional and physical support through our dating, engagement and wedding. There may be more people and the atmosphere may feel a little different from last year but the core and heartbeat of the Commons Church remains the same- to love others just as Christ loves us. My hopes are that our community continues to grow by reaching out and discipling our neighborhood, city, and the world to our first love, Jesus Christ.
The Georges
Geoffrey and I met about 2 weeks after I came back from New York. We were both dealing with hurts in our lives, but God started working on us both individually and as a couple right off. We both rediscovered our faith as our relationship got more serious, and we knew we needed to find a church. Geoff was raised Episcopal and I was raised in a huge Southern Baptist church, so our ideas of what church should be were wildly different. We went to a large Bible church for about a year, but didn't ever feel connected. We both knew we needed close friendships and accountability from a church community. It seems like we visited every church in Fort Worth, ranging from formal Episcopal to casual support-group type circle, but we both knew in our hearts that we hadn't found our fit yet. Then last summer I went to a teacher workshop that happened to be taught by Coby Bird, who is also a school colleague. He was one of the few coaches who had been willing to meet with me to share students between after school activities. Even though I didn't know him well, I had a lot of respect for him. He talked about his church a lot, so one day after the class I met with him and we talked about church. It took about 2 weeks to convince Geoffrey to come to a church in a school, but we finally came. The moment we walked in the door we felt the genuine warmth and community we had been looking for. Kristin and Thomas both greeted us immediately, and soon we had a swarm of people around us wanting to get to know us. Then we heard Steve preach and Erin and Brad sing. It was the most honest thing either of us had ever seen from a church stage. At the end of the service we found out it was the one year anniversary of the church, and we were invited to be in their picture. This year, as we celebrate 2 years of The Commons and look forward to 2 years of marriage, we know we found the right church. We are grateful for God's grace and provision in bringing us here. Happy 2 years, Commons!
Susan Turner
Prior to becoming a member of The Commons, I had never really experienced true community in a church. I had been an involved, active church participant all my life but had no clue what true community looked like. And then, along came The Commons – the best thing that has happened in my life in a long, long time.
I give most of the credit to Steve and Joy. Steve and Joy create community. They truly love people. They invest in people’s lives. They share their home and their lives with us. They take the time to reach out and scoop people up wherever they are in their life’s walk – embracing them, nurturing them, including them, welcoming them. This has set the tone for our church and as they have modeled true community to our members, it has become one of the foundational elements that truly makes us special. People at The Commons honestly and genuinely care about one another. They invest time and effort in one another. I believe this is why we are growing. People come – and they want to stay because they find something unique here. I believe what they find is true community.
My prayer for our church as we enter our third year of growth is that as more people join us, we will not lose that special thing that makes us who we are. As the Chappels have so beautifully illustrated for us, the more people you have in your family, the bigger your heart grows and the more room you have to love on a grander scale. May our hearts continue to expand and may we continue to love one another on a truly grand scale. As we do this, I am confident that God will continue to bless us exponentially.
I give most of the credit to Steve and Joy. Steve and Joy create community. They truly love people. They invest in people’s lives. They share their home and their lives with us. They take the time to reach out and scoop people up wherever they are in their life’s walk – embracing them, nurturing them, including them, welcoming them. This has set the tone for our church and as they have modeled true community to our members, it has become one of the foundational elements that truly makes us special. People at The Commons honestly and genuinely care about one another. They invest time and effort in one another. I believe this is why we are growing. People come – and they want to stay because they find something unique here. I believe what they find is true community.
My prayer for our church as we enter our third year of growth is that as more people join us, we will not lose that special thing that makes us who we are. As the Chappels have so beautifully illustrated for us, the more people you have in your family, the bigger your heart grows and the more room you have to love on a grander scale. May our hearts continue to expand and may we continue to love one another on a truly grand scale. As we do this, I am confident that God will continue to bless us exponentially.
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