What’s the difference between Parish Life, Parish Areas, and Parish Groups?

Parish Life — This is the way we’ve chosen to make a big church feel smaller. It describes Third’s comprehensive Parish ministry which seeks to draw everyone at Third into God’s mission to renew all things through Jesus Christ. 

Parish Area — If you attend Third, you belong to a Parish Area, which is a geographic region that forms a local network of care and connection. Through your Parish Area, you can experience life with God, life with each other, and life for the world, expressed among the people who live closest to you. Parish Elders and Deacons prayerfully facilitate the connection, care, discipleship and mission of those at Third who live within that Parish.

Parish Areas consist of 75–150 people who live in a common area in Metro Richmond. Third Church is one congregation made up of ten Parish Areas: 

  • Chesterfield

  • City North

  • City South

  • Gayton

  • Grove

  • Mooreland

  • Ridge

  • River West

  • Short Pump

  • Three Chopt

Parish Group — Our Parish Groups are smaller, voluntary groups of Third community members who meet within a Parish Area. Parish Groups are a place to belong, a place to be known, a place to become like Jesus in a more intimate setting.

  • Parish Groups are typically mid-size (10-25 men, women, teens, and children), multigenerational, and are open to newcomers. They meet twice monthly in homes for a meal, fellowship, conversation, prayer, and mission.

  • Each Parish Group practices three discipleship rhythms: engaging with God (UP), engaging with each other in Christian community (IN), and engaging with neighbors, both near and far (OUT). 

  • You can expect to enjoy reflections on the sermon, singing, prayer for neighbors and the metro area, game nights, sharing grace stories, caroling, and working alongside your neighbors and Third's mission partners to bring hope in ways specific to your area.

What does leadership within a Parish Area and Parish Group look like?

Parish Elders and Deacons. Parish Elders and Deacons are called by God and elected by the congregation for a three year term of service to the church in general and the people of their parish area, specifically. As a team, Parish Elders and Deacons facilitate connection, care, discipleship and mission for those within their Parish. They regularly pray for the people and neighbors within the Parish and offer opportunities for connection, involvement, and mission. This may include things like Parish picnics, men's and women's groups, meal trains for parishioners and neighbors, Parish-wide mission opportunities, and neighbor-assistance through the Deacon Fund. They are trained and supported by Third’s pastors and the Parish Life staff.

Parish Group Leaders. Parish Group Leaders are mature Christ-followers who volunteer to lead a bi-monthly group within their Parish Area hosted in local homes. They welcome people into deeper relationship, encourage them to use their gifts and abilities for the health of the group and their neighbors, pray for them, and facilitate the group’s rhythms of renewal (UP, IN, OUT). Two to three leaders serve each group and are supported by the Parish Life pastor and staff.

I don’t want to join my Parish area group, I want to be in a different one. What can I do?  

When we gather with those at Third who live closest to us, we can join Jesus in the renewal that God is already bringing to our neighborhoods. So, we do encourage people to participate in groups located within their Parish Area. We would love to hear any concerns prior to joining a different group so we can provide the best Parish Group experience for everyone involved. You can contact Beth Sprinkle if you would like to speak to someone further about this.

Who do I contact about Parish Life if I have questions?

Email Elisabeth or Ed with any questions you have about Parish Life!