About Villages

Villages are the main way that we live out relationships up, in and out.  They are the environments where we think we will best begin to become disciples of Jesus together and should be the communities people in LoveCanton think of first when the are asked “where do you go to church?”.  Each village is centered around a common mission from Jesus to a network or neighborhood in Canton.

What are Villages like?

Villages are relational environments of around 15-50 people that feel kind of like a family reunion.  Villages are small enough to have a common mission together but large enough to do something about it.  They are communities where we’ll be missed if we are gone and where we can all be a part.  Villages are made up of smaller accountability groups where we are able to really be known – kind of like immediate family.

Villages are always led by a team of leaders who are accountable to their own lives and what goes on in their Village at a leadership huddle.  The vision and direction of the Village primarily comes from these leaders with input from the rest of the community. Each Village will have a unique identity and rhythm for doing things, and will be a part of the larger LoveCanton community through giving, celebration, and living out a common Jesus lifestyle up, in and out.

How Often and What do you do?

Well first, each Village is unique and so it’s up to the leaders of each Village how often they get together and what they do.  Also, if each community is becoming  more like Jesus, growth and change will happen.  So some weeks will focus IN around discussion, prayer, communion, or hang out.  Some weeks will focus OUT  around serving the neighbors or intentional prayer and conversation with people who don’t know Jesus yet.  Some weeks will focus UP around studying the Bible or a good book together or singing songs to God together.  Usually there’s always food or dessert potluck style and we always try to make sure Villages are kid friendly.  Villages will meet together enough to keep focused on what Jesus is telling them to do together, but not be so busy doing church meetings that they don’t have time to let relationships just happen.  So typically Accountability Groups meet weekly, and Villages about 2 times a month.

How does each Village connect with the larger LoveCanton Community?

Celebration is where all Villages come together for worship teaching and to tell stories of how Jesus is showing up in our lives and the people we love.  The leaders of each Village will make meeting in Leadership Huddles a priority for accountability and encouragement.

What about Kids?

We believe that the primary place where kids learn what it means to know and follow Jesus is through their parents.  We also believe that it takes a Village to raise kids to know Jesus!  Some Villages are more kid friendly, while others really are not.  What we take seriously is that kids are an important part of each Village, and that their spiritual growth and nurture are just as important as the big kids.  So baby sitting isn’t enough. Each Village will have a designated kinds point leader that makes sure kids remain a priority, and we will do our best to resource each Village with kids with curriculum, activities, and ideas of how to integrate children into the normal flow of each Village.