See our slide show:   http://www.slideshare.net/mjthannisch/congregation-benim-avraham-presentation

Congregation Benim Avraham is a liturgical house church, composed of refugees from liturgical churches.  We have come apart in order to deepen our relationship with the Messiah and to follow more perfectly in the path of Biblical Christianity. 

We are an integral part of the Christian Church - Synod of Saint Timothy, a body of faithful Christians with congregations in Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee in addition to our own local congregation. 

Doctrinally, the Synod is founded upon the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, the Vincentian Canon, The Dictum, and a Synodical statement of beliefs known as the the Articles of Religion.  We seek in our lives and in our teaching to practice biblical primacy, placing our faith first and foremost in the Word of God, not neglecting tradition and reason, but forming our tradition and reason through the Scriptures.

The heart of the Christian experience at Benim Avraham is the regular liturgical celebration of the Word of God and Holy Communion, which strengthens us in striving towards the goal of birthing a discipling community.

Our principal celebration on Sunday begins with an acknowldgement of our sinfulness and the gracious words of pardon and aboslution that our Lord has left with his ministers.  Having recieved the promise of mercy, we worship and praise God in song.   The liturgy continues in the Word of God, with lessons read each Sunday from the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings; together with readings from the New Testament, and a proclamation of the Holy Gospel. 

Silence and congregational discussion follow the first four readings, recognizing that we may all learn from one another.  After the Gospel, the bishop (or, on occassion a deacon or presbyter) offers a Sermon that ties together the Scriptures and provides doctrinal instruction and life-application of the Scriptures.

After the sermon, those who are not baptized are dismissed with a blessing, and the service continues with an offering, prayers, the creed and a celebration of the Holy Communion according to the Eastern rite.

Anyone may participate in the first part of our services.  All are encouraged to ask questions, share reflections, and request prayer for healing.

Because of our belief in the seriousness of participation in Holy Communion, only baptized Christians may participate in the offering and prayers which follow.  Unbaptized children may stay with their parents for this part of the service.

Those intending to recieve communion must:  

• be baptized
• be repentant of their sins
• believe that the bread and wine offered in the Liturgy become, through our Lord's own words and the working of the Holy Spirit, the Body and Blood of Christ given to us to perfect our Communion with God and to fill us with spiritual strength to live the life that Christ has prepared for us.

We sincerely invite all those who are interested in learning more about our common life as Christians to take home a CD each week and study our practices of Christian living.  Those who express a desire to continue to learn more about Christ and/or our congregation are invited to follow up with the Bishop who will gladly schedule time to spend with you in inquiry, study, and formation, leading towards baptism or reception (for those already baptized) in the local Church.

Those wishing to take a place in our fellowship are called upon to make a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ.  Those making such a declaration who have previously been baptized will be receved into the congregation by the Bishop through either the Mystery of Sealing (also known as Chrismation or Confirmation) or a rite of reception (for those who come to Benim Avraham having already recieved the Rites of Christian Initiation elsewhere).

We warmly invite you to visit with us and to worship God in the beauty of holiness.  Directions and Service Times are avalaible on this website. 

Those who walk with us as members are asked to sustain the church through tithing, to engage fully -with mind, body, and spirit- in our Worship, to develop a personal Scripture study plan, to foster a regular prayer life, to evangelize, and to strive daily to grow deeper in faith and holiness, both personal and ecclesial.