Time of Submission

Each year in November in accordance with the bylaws of our church, the leadership of NewLife Fairfield (elders and pastors) present our lives to you for your examination. This is known as our “Two-Week Time of Submission.” 

Starting the first Sunday in November and continuing for two weeks, we as leadership encourage you to contact us either personally or in writing if you have questions, concerns, or constructive comments about the leadership and/or direction of our church. As pastor and elders of NewLife it is our desire to not only submit to our Lord, but also to our church family. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit yourselves to one another, out of reverence for Christ.” 

According to our church bylaws, we must have a minimum of three elders. Our current elders are Mike Manuel, Tim and Brandi Jergenson, and Norm and Corlynn Christofferson. Mike Manuel serves as our lead pastor, Norm Christofferson is our associate pastor, Brandi Jergenson is our kid's pastor, and Char Bunker recently joined us in a volunteer position as family pastor.

Even though we strive for unity and harmony, we realize that from time to time some of you will have concerns or disagreements about our church. If your concern or comment is general in nature, you may contact any of the elders or Pastor Mike. However, if your concern is personal in nature, and in order for this process to be scriptural, you are asked to first contact that person individually.  If you are not satisfied by that person’s response, you are asked to bring your concern before the elders. If you are still not satisfied at that point, you will be directed to contact the Montana Network of the Assemblies of God in Billings. Anonymous letters will not be considered. We feel that if we are open and honest with each other and prayerfully consider the scriptures, we can avoid many of the pitfalls that can ultimately destroy a good church.

Below is a list of the NewLife Fairfield leadership and some frequently asked questions.

Elders:

Mike Manuel - Lead Pastor  P.O. Box 607  Fairfield, MT 59436  

mikemanuel.mt@gmail.com     Phone: (406) 590-2304

Brandi Jergenson - Kids Pastor    1381 County Line Rd.    Vaughn, MT 59487  

branbuds11@gmail.com.          Phone: (406) 899-8863

Tim Jergenson     1381 County Line Rd.    Vaughn, MT 59487  

jergy@3rivers.net     Phone: (406) 899-1755

Norm and Corlynn Christofferson - Associate Pastor      6065 Greenfield Loop Helena, MT 59602

nchristo60@gmail.com Phone: (406) 431-4963

FAQ’s

Q: What makes me a member of NewLife Church?

A: Your relationship with Christ and your attendance and desire to be affiliated with this body of believers is criteria enough for your membership. No membership cards are signed and no official roll of members is kept.

Q: Why don’t we hold elections for church leadership?

A: In civil government, a representative democracy works very well because the elected officials are to represent the desires of the people to the highest powers in the nation. However, in a New Testament Church, the elders and pastors are to listen to God and represent His desires to the church. The flow of power in elected forms of government is from the people up to the higher power - just the opposite of what it should be in the church. Therefore, new elders are appointed by the elder board and pastor after weeks and sometimes months of prayerful consideration and unanimous consensus.

Q: What are the criteria for serving as an elder?

A: The criteria for serving as an elder at NewLife Church is taken directly from the Bible in 1 Timothy 3:1-7

     and Titus 1:6-9.

Q: If we don’t vote for leadership here at New Life Church, do we really have a voice in this church?

A: Absolutely. Besides the criteria for an elder listed above, elders are chosen that are humble enough to fully submit themselves not only to God, but to the people who make up this church. Being submitted one to another out of reverence for Christ is more than just a motto; it is the very essence of what makes this form of leadership effective, not to mention scriptural. You are encouraged to voice your concerns during our two-week time of submission; however, the leadership of NewLife Fairfield is submitted to you every day of the year and is keenly interested in your constructive remarks.