FAQ
Q: What denomination is CityView?
A: While we affiliate with several churches and entities from various denominations, we are a self-governing, independent church, in keeping with the majority of mainline churches in the United States. Without shame, we partner with other churches and entities that track with CityView’s vision.
Q: What are your main worship services like?
A: To be honest, most terms like “contemporary”, “post-modern”, “modern”, etc. have lost their meaning or seem to be used in different ways by different churches. Bottom line…we’re just trying to be who we really are, both in life and through our worship gatherings. We’re a group of people, living in the 21st century…and that translates into our services. We’re young—much like our community—and that translates into our services. We have a worship pastor that writes music and lyrics that are born out of our church and out of our community...so that flavors our services. We love Jesus with reckless abandon…and that translates into our services. Any other labels seem to detract, so we’ll let others label us as they see fit.
Q: Who’s in charge? How is CityView led?
A: CityView is led by a plurality of male pastors (also known as elders). Our model of church leadership comes directly from the Bible in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus, chapter one. From these passages (and others), we form our understanding of church leadership and the qualifications for leaders. In addition to pastors, we will have both male and female leaders that will oversee vital ministries. The biblical equivalent of these leaders are called deacons in the New Testament. To avoid confusion over the use of the term "deacon" in other churches, we have chosen the term "ministry leaders". Pastors and ministry leaders are to lead with competence, humility and integrity. Each pastor has particular areas and ministry leaders they oversee. When a pastor leads in an area, the other pastors tend to defer to his authority in the given area, while they all share the responsibility for decisions made.
Q: What’s the difference between serving in a ministry and serving as a Sunday morning volunteer?
A: Generally speaking, we consider ministry as any activity that seeks to minister to the people of our city, nation and world. Ministry meets real needs and seeks to give without any benefit or return. Ministry can be both internal (inside our church) or external. Our incredible volunteer team works in roles that are almost exclusively internal. Volunteers do the things it takes to pull off our weekend services and keep the organizational element of CityView Church afloat. While we think it’s both important and a sacred act of worship for someone to run the sound board, pass out service-guides and setup our equipment, we don’t believe these things are considered ministry in the same sense that feeding the poor is ministry.
Q: Do you have Sunday School or something like that?
A: For children, CityView Kids is the closest thing to what’s known as Sunday School. For adults and older children, we utilize LifeGroups for many of the same purposes that Sunday School is used in some churches. While we value many of the principles that have historically been valued in Sunday School, we do not consider any particular program as sacred.
Q: Why do you use the ESV translation of the Bible?
A: While every pastor is free to use whichever translation he chooses, we primarily use the ESV because it has historically been the most accurate translation of our ancient texts. As such, we avoid quite a bit of over-explaining by having the most accurate translation possible from the beginning. If you don’t own an ESV translation, you may take one of our paperback versions located under your seat at our worship gatherings. When we preach from other translations, we’ll utilize the on-screen projection, so that everyone can follow along without confusion.
Q: Are your services “casual” or “formal”?
A: Both…sorta’. Chances are, most people will be pretty casual. We’re pretty laid back people. However, you can come dressed in almost anything you want. If you like ties…bring ‘em. If you like shorts and t-shirts..wear ‘em. We only ask that you remember that this ISN’T the Garden of Eden…so just make sure you’re wearing clothes. :)
Q: What do you believe about Speaking in Tongues?
A: While the pastors of CityView do not believe any of the gifts have ceased, this is not a belief held by all people at CityView Church. We are "open-handed" on this issue and do not hold to a formal all-church statement regarding this matter. While we would never discourage someone from the practice of these gifts, we consider it both unwise and unnecessary to practice the “charismatic” gifts in public worship (taking our cues from 1 Corinthians 14:5, 21-23). Therefore, we encourage those who believe they have these gifts to practice them in home groups (assuming it is done biblically and the group leader is made aware) as seems appropriate and edifying. This approach also assures accountability for the use of these gift/s.