Friday, December 9, 2011

About Our Church

The Full Circle Family Church is a church of demonstration and service. Our church is not defined by a physical location but by the demonstration of our belief in the efficacy of sharing. Our Church has a residential congregation – all members share housing, vehicles and all “things” in common. We follow Jesus’ teachings in Acts 4:32-35 where it is said that,

 32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
 35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

We seek to see the goodness in everyone, for we believe we are all children of God; one large human family, regardless of race, creed or religion. Though we draw heavily from the New Testament, and Jesus’ teachings, we also draw from Taoist teachings and many other faith paths. We believe that God is the Presence, the Life Force and Intelligence that vibrates through everything and everyone. We believe that each of us carries God within us and that life is a journey to become ever more present to this miraculous intelligence that created us. We believe that much of what we humans must do is to un-learn the negative conditioning we have inherited. Our church is meant to provide an environment that supports this kind of spiritual path. We seek to live by the Golden Rule. We show, through our actions, an attitude of love and forgiveness, and celebration of the miracle of life, with gratitude for all of God’s gifts that are so freely given.

There is no buying or selling amongst members of the church. Each gives “according to ability” and receives “according to need”. The daily actions of growing, storing and preparing food, and all the other simple practices of living become the ways by which we demonstrate the highest spiritual teachings of love through service and conscious living. Our way of life demonstrates how sharing creates abundance, satisfaction and health. Our demonstrations extend into the larger world through such service projects as the "Sharing Gardens"

Each of our fully committed members is ordained as a student minister once he or she has demonstrated an integration of the spiritual principles that run as a current through all we do. Our ministers find their natural niches of service that best utilize their skills, gifts and temperaments whether this is within the grounds of our community or through service to the larger human family. Each ordained minister must understand the principles behind the operation of our church such that he or she embodies and demonstrates these attitudes, beliefs and principles through daily interactions and ways of being. Each of us then becomes a representative of the whole; a mirror that reflects the best in everyone else we interact with.
Llyn and Chris - Church Founders
We are a spiritually-based community and everything in our lives is geared towards supporting and demonstrating our spiritual beliefs. We are exploring this path together, in a non-hierarchical way that brings forth the highest and best from each of our members. We invite people who are on a sincere spiritual path and who are ready for a reciprocal relationship with others of like-mind; people committed to living with presence and mindfulness. We wish to share the abundance of our lives with people of faith who are ready to commit to a life of sharing.

8 comments:

  1. I enjoyed and I have learned a lot here. Thanks for reminding us about this. Continue to post an encouraging message for everyone! God bless!

    Non-denominational

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you in Colorado?
    Would love to attend a service...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jeff - We are in Monroe, Oregon. Our services are held at the Sharing Gardens - https://thesharinggardens.blogspot.com/ - which is our church's ministry to feed people 'in need'.
    Be well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Found you looking for a non 501c3 church near Austin, Tx. I am just beginning my search, which may prove difficult, if not impossible. Good information on your sight, may God bless what you are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to come visit sometime.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your interest. if you'd like to visit, please send us an email and tell us a little bit about yourself and what draws you to our project/church. Email address is located along the right-hand column of this website. Be well!

      Delete
  6. There are no words to describe how awesome you are. Do you guys have a physical address where a gift could be sent?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Our mailing address can be found down the right-hand side of our Blog (only viewable on an actual computer, can't be seen on a cell-phone. We're working on that, smile). But here's our mailing address in case you can't find it there:
      Chris Burns and Llyn Peabody
      Full Circle Family Church
      664 Orchard St.
      Monroe, OR
      97456
      Blessings on your day!

      Delete