FAQ
1. Why are we transitioning from a 20s ministry to an intergenerational community?
We believe that the model of 20s ministry and the exclusivity that we held within our age demographic is not God’s vision for STATUS. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, we recognize that we must remove the limitation of age, allowing all generations to contribute to furthering the Kingdom of God within one community.
2. What does it mean to be a contributing member of STATUS?
We believe it’s important to move away from a lifestyle of consumerism and begin living a lifestyle of contribution. Contributing members ask themselves what they have to offer the body of Christ instead of asking what they can receive from STATUS. We also recognize that we are all uniquely gifted and talented and are called to use those gifts within the body. Each individual’s contribution is unique to their story.3. What does intergenerational mean?
We desire to have a community that doesn’t segregate based on age but instead allows each individual to contribute to the whole body of STATUS based on their gifts and talents.4. How does the intergenerational change affect the way STATUS currently exists/operates?
We will not be changing the aesthetics of our worship gatherings or small group communities as a result of opening the door to every generation.5. What will be the involvement of children and students?
As we desire to be a blessing to children and students, we desire children and students to be a blessing to us by allowing them to exercise their gifts and make their voices heard in our community.6. What is the relationship with the rest of Discovery?
STATUS is now considered the fourth campus of Discovery Church.7. Will STATUS stay at its current location?
Currently there are no plans to relocate our Sunday night worship gatherings.8. Where can I get more information?
Click here to listen to the STATUS Family Gathering & Q&A podcast on itunes, where we discussed in depth the changes and also addressed some questions from our community.This transition was explained at our worship gathering December 14th and is also available on iTunes. Click here for the audio podcast and click here for the video podcast.
We also discussed this in the STATUS Solarium December 17th and the iTunes link is right here.
9. What role will age now play in leadership?
Qualifications for leadership will continue to be based on the leading of the Holy Spirit and individuals’ gifts, regardless of age.10. Will STATUS be changing its name?
We are open to the idea but currently have no plans to change our name. All suggestions are welcomed.
About: STATUS
STATUS is a community striving to become the
Sundays at 6:30pm and 8:30pm we meet together in the auditorium of Discovery Church and the other six days of the week there are various expressions of who we are in houses, offices, bars, coffee shops, galleries and just about everywhere else you can imagine in the Central Florida area.
We hold tightly to the teachings of Jesus as recorded by the apostles who penned the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In addition, the scriptures arranged in the Bible are the truth which we base our lives around. For the rest of our values please visit www.discoverychurch.org
Staff: Josh Loveless, STATUS Pastor
Josh is responsible for shepherding and loving the staff and community of STATUS while helping to give definition and clarity to all of its moving parts. He is also the primary communicator seeking to use scripture and stories to move people to follow hard after the words and ways of Jesus.
josh at whatsyourstatus dot com
Staff: Cole NeSmith, Creative Director
Cole currently serves as our Creative Director where he and his creative team plan all of our programming and creative elements of each service. Cole also leads the STATUS team of lead worshippers.
cole at whatsyourstatus dot com
Staff: Jenn Janasiewicz, Director of Operations & Pastor of Praxis Communities
Jenn currently serves as our Pastor of Praxis communities, where she is responsible for loving and serving the praxis leaders and equipping them to effectively lead their communities. She is also the Director of Operations, where she not only handles the day-to-day management of STATUS, but also works to care for and properly resource the volunteers who help make all STATUS events happen, including the worship gatherings on Sunday nights.
jenn at whatsyourstatus dot com
Staff: Tom Gustafson, Pastor of Sphere Communities & Spiritual Practices
Tom is the pastor of Sphere communities and Spiritual Practices. He works with Jenn to coordinate community launches and oversees the pastoring, mentoring, and serving of all the sphere leaders. Tom also loves to get people connected to smaller communities and encourages anyone attending STATUS to email him so he can help. He also coordinates our Muse Culture and Theology series, Spiritual Formation Sessions and Boiler Prayer Experiences. He is passionate about spiritual practices and the pursuit of connecting our community to the Father through them. He also loves to get rad, get loose, and get awesome.
tom at whatsyourstatus dot com
Staff: Kate Lynch
Kate volunteers on our leadership team and jumps in to help wherever she is needed. She spends time throughout the week Q-ing some of our house churches, leading groups through different studies, and occasionally teaching on Sunday nights. Her gift and passion for theology is crucial as she works with the rest of the staff to search the heart of Christ through scripture. kate at whatsyourstatus dot com
Staff: Melyssa Marshall, STATUS Administrative Assistant
Melyssa is the glue that holds the STATUS staff together. She handles all the paperwork that comes along with running a ministry and she helps the staff keep their schedules organized and moving, which frees them up to do their main jobs of loving and caring for our community. She also coordinates the schedules for all of the volunteers for Sunday night worship gatherings.
melyssa at whatsyourstatus dot com