WHAT IS THE SACRAMENTAL COMMUNITY CHURCH?

Bringing Christ’s Love to Communities Everywhere

The Sacramental Community Church is the missionary outreach and church planting ministry of the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ. Rooted in Christian tradition and guided by the principles of sacramental worship, social justice, and community-based spirituality, we work to establish faith communities that embody God’s love in a rapidly changing world. Our mission is simple yet profound: to plant churches, foster spiritual renewal, and bring the Sacraments to all people. We believe that vibrant, Christ-centered communities can transform lives, strengthen faith, and cultivate the Commonwealth of God on earth.

Our Mission: Church Planting for a Renewed Faith

The Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ seeks to restore, renew, and plant Sacramental Community Churches, ensuring that believers everywhere have access to authentic sacramental worship and a welcoming faith community.

What We Do

Our missionary outreach brings the Sacraments and the Gospel message to underserved and unchurched communities. Through church planting we establish Sacramental Community Churches in cities, rural areas, and places in need of spiritual revival. Aiding in spiritual formation we develop faith communities rooted in prayer, study, and service, fostering strong disciples of Christ. Through inclusive worship, both in scope and from, we celebrate the Sacraments within diverse, welcoming, and empowering congregations that embrace all people.

How We Worship

The Sacramental Community Church is united in spirit but diverse in liturgical expression. This diversity is rooted in the freedom of liturgical tradition and latitude in sacramental worship outlined in The Common Rule of the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ. While all Sacramental Community Churches are sacramentally centered and grounded in Christ’s teachings, their worship services may reflect different historical Christian traditions while remaining connected to the core mission of the community.

Liturgical Diversity Within the Sacramental Community Church

Each church is free to express sacramental worship according to its local tradition and context, theological influences, and congregational needs. This allows churches to celebrate the Sacraments authentically while embracing various Christian liturgical traditions. Some examples of how this might manifest include but are certainly not limited to:

+ Anglo-Catholic & High Church Traditions

Some Sacramental Community Churches may lean toward a more Anglo-Catholic or High Church style of worship. Liturgical texts may come from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, the Anglo-Catholic Missal, or traditional Catholic liturgical rites. The Eucharistic celebration might include incense, vestments, elaborate processions, and Gregorian chant. Strong emphasis on sacramental devotion, such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Marian devotion. A community with roots in the Anglican or Old Catholic tradition might incorporate solemn high mass, chanted psalms, and traditional English liturgy while maintaining the inclusive theology of the Sacramental Community Church.

+ Celtic & Contemplative Traditions

Some churches may draw inspiration from Celtic Christianity, emphasizing earthy spirituality, creation theology, and monastic simplicity. Worship may integrate chants, prayers from Celtic saints, and nature-based liturgies that honor God’s presence in creation. Eucharistic celebrations may be deeply contemplative, incorporating silence, candlelit services, and shared meals in communal gatherings. A Sacramental Community Church planted in a rural or retreat setting might blend ancient Celtic prayers, communal Eucharistic meals, and contemplative monastic traditions into its worship.

+ Charismatic & Evangelical Sacramental Worship

Some churches may adopt a blended sacramental-charismatic model, combining Spirit-led worship with a sacramental foundation. Worship might feature modern praise music, spontaneous prayer, and charismatic preaching, alongside Holy Eucharist as the central act of worship. Emphasis on healing, prophecy, and renewal, with sacramental rites that integrate charismatic gifts such as laying on of hands and anointing. A micro-church in an urban community may incorporate sacramental worship alongside contemporary music, Spirit-led preaching, and community-based evangelism.

+ Liturgical Simplicity & New Monasticism

Some communities may embrace minimalist, monastic worship, focusing on simplicity, shared meals, and intentional discipleship. Eucharistic celebrations may be intimate gatherings around a simple altar, with unstructured yet deeply spiritual communal prayers. Worship often incorporates the Daily Office (fixed-hour prayers), Lectio Divina (sacred reading), and communal reflection. A house church or intentional monastic community might celebrate Eucharist around a kitchen table, emphasizing simplicity, communion, and solidarity with the poor.

+ Ecumenical & Multi-Tradition Worship

Some churches embrace a multi-tradition approach, drawing from Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, and Free Church influences. Worship formats may shift seasonally, utilizing different historical liturgies, prayers, and sacramental rites. The Eucharist might be celebrated using diverse elements (such as leavened vs. unleavened bread) depending on the tradition being honored. A Sacramental Community Church in a diverse city may adapt its liturgical traditions to reflect multiple influences, ensuring broad accessibility while staying sacramentally rooted.

+ Unity in Spirit, Diversity in Worship

Despite the varied liturgical traditions, all Sacramental Community Churches remain unified by The Common Rule and the mission of sacramental renewal. We center our worship on the Eucharist as the foundation of Christian life. We embody Christ’s teachings, love, justice, and mercy in their communities. We remain committed to church planting, discipleship, and spiritual growth. We seek to build the Commonwealth of God on Earth through sacramental worship and service.

Freedom with Faithfulness

The Sacramental Community Church planting movement honors the historical richness of Christian liturgical diversity while remaining united in Christ. This flexibility ensures that each community worships authentically, reflecting local culture, spiritual needs, and theological convictions—yet always bound together in a shared sacramental life.

How We Plant Churches

In discerning the call, we listen to the Holy Spirit and identify communities in need of faith renewal. While building fellowship we gather believers and local leaders to cultivate Christ-centered relationships. In celebrating worship we establish worship communities where the Sacraments are accessible and Christ’s love is made real. To facilitate growth and to strengthen the local church we mentor church leaders, train ministers, and develop long-term community engagement strategies. However, a Sacramental Community Church is more than a worship space—it’s a living testament to Christ’s transformative love. Wherever we go, we plant seeds of faith, nurture disciples, and bring the Sacraments to those longing for deeper connection with God. Join us in building church communities without walls, united in love, service, and unwavering devotion to Christ.

The Diversity of Being a Sacramental Community Church

Innovative and diverse church planting strategies can help faith communities reach new audiences, adapt to changing cultural landscapes, and create sustainable growth. Here are some of our approaches to church planting:

+ Micro-Church Networks

Instead of planting a single large church, micro-church networks establish small, interconnected faith communities that meet in homes, coffee shops, or workplaces. These groups remain autonomous and congregationally centered yet connected to the whole, allowing for flexibility and rapid expansion.

+ Digital and Hybrid Church Plants

With the rise of technology, churches can be planted online first, using digital platforms to build a congregation before transitioning to physical gatherings. Hybrid models combine virtual worship, online discipleship, and in-person fellowship, making faith accessible to a broader audience.

+ Pop-Up Churches

Pop-up churches temporarily set up worship spaces in unconventional locations—parks, community centers, or even shopping malls. These short-term gatherings introduce people to faith in familiar environments, breaking down barriers to church attendance.

+ Bi-Vocational Leadership Models

Instead of relying solely on full-time pastors, bi-vocational church planters work in secular jobs while leading a congregation. This model reduces financial strain, fosters community integration, and allows leaders to minister in everyday settings.

+ Missional Communities

Missional churches prioritize service and outreach along with traditional Sunday gatherings. These communities engage in social justice, neighborhood revitalization, and charity work, making faith action-oriented and deeply relational.

+ Entrepreneurial Church Planting

Some churches launch alongside businesses, such as coffee shops, bookstores, or coworking spaces. These self-sustaining models create natural gathering places for faith discussions while generating revenue to support ministry efforts.

+ Multi-Site and Satellite Churches

Instead of planting entirely new churches, multi-site models or cell groups expand existing congregations by launching smaller satellite locations. These sites share leadership, resources, and vision, making church planting scalable and efficient.

+ Community-Based Partnerships

Church plants can collaborate with local organizations, schools, and nonprofits to embed themselves in the community. By offering services like counseling, tutoring, or food distribution, churches build trust and establish a lasting presence.

+ Workplace and Marketplace Churches

Faith communities can be planted within workplaces, offering lunchtime Bible studies, prayer groups, and mentorship programs. Marketplace churches engage professionals where they are, integrating faith into daily life.

+ Eco-Churches and Sustainable Faith Communities

Church plants can embrace environmental stewardship by incorporating sustainable practices, such as community gardens, solar-powered buildings, and conservation efforts. These initiatives connect faith with creation care, attracting eco-conscious believers.

Key Characteristics of Micro-Church Networks

Micro-church networks are a decentralized approach to church planting that focuses on small, autonomous faith communities connected through a shared vision and mission. These networks emphasize intimacy, discipleship, and flexibility, allowing believers to gather in homes, workplaces, coffee shops, or other informal settings while remaining linked to a larger spiritual movement.

+ Small, Intentional Gatherings

Micro-churches typically consist of 10-50 members, fostering deep relationships and accountability. They prioritize discipleship, prayer, and community engagement over large-scale programs.

+ Decentralized Leadership

Instead of a single pastor overseeing a large congregation, leadership is shared among multiple micro-church leaders. Each micro-church operates independently while receiving guidance and support from the broader network.

+ Missional Focus

Micro-churches are outward-facing, engaging in local outreach, social justice initiatives, and evangelism. They often serve specific communities, such as urban neighborhoods, college campuses, or marginalized groups.

+ Flexible Worship Models

Worship styles vary based on the needs of the community, ranging from traditional liturgies to contemporary gatherings. Some micro-churches meet weekly, while others gather biweekly or monthly, adapting to members’ schedules.

+ Multiplication Strategy

Instead of growing into a megachurch, micro-church networks multiply by planting new small churches. Leaders train new disciples to start their own micro-churches, ensuring sustainable growth.

+ How Micro-Church Networks Function

In our core groups each micro-church has a core team responsible for organizing worship, discipleship, and outreach. Sharing resources, networks provide training, financial support, and pastoral guidance to individual micro-churches. Through interconnected gatherings, though each micro-church operates independently, we come together periodically for larger worship events, retreats, or leadership training.

+ Benefits of Micro-Church Networks

Building stronger relationships in small groups foster deep connections and accountability. Having greater flexibility our churches can adapt to local needs without rigid structures. Micro-church networks lower costs with no need for large buildings or expensive programs and keep our resources focus on community needs instead of building payments or maintenance. They allow for rapid expansion making it easier to multiply and plant new churches. Through a missional engagement the networks can be focused on serving communities and spreading the Gospel. Micro-church networks are reshaping modern church planting, offering a grassroots, relational, and mission-driven approach to faith communities. Would you like help designing a micro-church strategy for The Sacramental Community Church?

Join The Sacramental Community Church Movement

Are you passionate about church planting? Do you feel called to start a Sacramental Community Church? We need leaders, visionaries, and faithful servants willing to help establish communities that bring the light of Christ into the world. Are you interested in planting a church? Do you want to support our mission? Would you like to learn more? Visit the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ.