Christian Meeting in Piedmont (Burlington, Hickory: home, rent, art)

[Sarah Light]

We are thinking about moving to North Carolina and are hoping we can find a nondenominational group of Christians that meet for worship outside of a traditional church.

The most important factor is that they take the Bible seriously.

The worship meeting would be open (rather than scripted) and participatory. (Anyone can pick a song to sing or pray out loud.)

The teaching would be done by different men in the group rather than a pastor.

Does anyone knows of a group like that (could be in a home) anywhere near Lenoir - Hickory - Morganton, as far south as Rutherfordton, or as far east as Lexington?

[Sarah Light]

in Piedmont or Mountain region

[fern33]

What you're describing sounds like a cell church. I use to belong to one here in Burlington years ago. They're pretty popular now so I wouldn't think you should have any trouble finding one. Try an online search under "cell churches in NC."

[CAKD]

many churches offer home study groups or "home groups" that do much of what you described. I would simply try calling churches in the area and enquiring about their home groups/studies. Start there and I think you will me lead to the what you are looking for.

[Sarah Light]

What we're looking for could be similar to a Brethren meeting, but more open and maybe with less emphasis on the Lord's Supper. I've looked into cell churches a little in the last couple days, and many of them seem to have pastors as leaders, or seem to be a church structure within a home. They're good because of the size and accountability, but not quite what we're looking for.

Some characteristics we hope for:
-teaching and leading done by men, not women
-no clergy, no pastor (as a position)
-open, participatory worship