Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the more common questions we are asked by the community. If your question is not answered here don’t hesitate to stop by your Campus’ Info Hub or call our office at 326-5100.
Do you have programs for children?
Our Kids Connection program is a safe, secure, fun, Bible-centered program for kids from birth to sixth grade, available at most services on all Campuses. Our vision is to help kids and families connect to God and to each other, as we come alongside parents and families, providing conversation starters for the dinner table to help in training up their children to live lives that are centered on God. We use age-appropriate lessons and trained, background-checked leaders to help accomplish this. This is not just a babysitting service. We believe even young children can understand that they are sinners, that God loves them, and how to have an authentic relationship with God. For more information on registering your child or touring the facility, go to the Kids Connection Information Center at any Campus. For further information about the Kids Connection program, feel free to call 326-5100 and ask for the Kids Connection Director for your home Campus.
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Do you have programs for teens?
WSM, our Well Student Ministry, is a welcoming environment with an eclectic group of Middle School and High School students who value relationships over everything. We are here to connect students to God and to each other in all areas of life. It is a safe place to question God and learn more about who He really is as well as learn to grow in and communicate your faith. On Sundays, Middle School students meet during some services. High School students are encouraged to hang out before and after each service in Café Edah and attend the services together. We have midweek services for Middle School and High School students at the North Campus. This is a time to experience great teaching, tons of activities, and community times with your peers from different schools. For more information, feel free call 326-5100 and ask for the Student Ministry Director for your home Campus. You may also go to the Info Hub on a Sunday and a Link Host will show you where to go and what to expect.
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What do you mean by “put my faith in Christ”?
The first and most important decision and commitment you can make is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that beauty, meaning, and purpose in life come from a vibrant relationship with God. However, due to our sin nature we are separated from God. Though many attempt to connect to God on their own, the Bible lays out God’s plan of salvation and reconnection, as being through the person of Jesus Christ. He is the divine provision for our sin and the only means of salvation. The perfect life of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection are the keys to reconciliation with God. As we place our faith in God’s provision of Jesus Christ, we begin a new relationship with God and are redeemed. Our life should then become an expression of gratitude and joy for what God has done for us. This salvation is a gift of God and not on the basis of our deeds. Due to the nature of this transaction, an authentic follower of Christ is assured of their salvation and called to follow Jesus faithfully. If you have decided to make this commitment, please contact someone at your Campus’ Info Hub or call our staff at 326-5100 and ask for a pastor.
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What is your theology?
We are committed to being a doctrinally sound church. Our beliefs come directly from the Bible. We do not believe something first and then use the Bible to back up our beliefs. We call our doctrinal statement our Points of Clarity.
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What’s with the four element icons I see everywhere?
We use the ancient elements as symbols of our four values: Connecting (Wind), Community (Water), Equipping (Fire), and Missions (Earth). The benefit of the elements is their history. We are an ancient-future congregation and so the age of these symbols leads to a richness that can’t be found in modern objects. At the time of Christ, people believed the world was made of only these four elements: wind, water, fire, and earth. There is a timelessness to the elements as well as one poignant overarching metaphor: they were irreducible. Man was made of earth and water. Earth and water could be arranged in unique and complex ways but once one dug deep, we were made from these simple materials. At the time, people believed that there was nothing smaller, nothing more basic. Values work in similar fashion. Behind every event, every process, every design decision there is a value. Our values are the materials of what we do and how we do it. Our values are basic. They are elemental. If you would like more on why each element represents what it does, the original proposal for using the elements is available on our Symbolism & The Four Values page, or you can ask for a printed version at your Campus’ Info Hub.
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How do I get counseling?
We all are broken people with issues and know that sometimes we need someone to help us sort through the mess that is life. That’s why we created The Well Counseling Center to provide affordable clinical counseling provided by trained professionals. If you would like counseling contact us at the office at 326-5100 x5300 or ask for our Connections Department. We will gladly get you the information you may need.
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What is Baptism?
Here at The Well we believe that Baptism is an outward proclamation of our faith in Christ. We believe it is not salvific in nature. (I Cor 1:14-17, Eph 2:8-9) At The Well we only baptize those that understand their commitment in Christ.
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When does The Well do Baptisms?
The Well holds a Baptism service every year. We do require a few preparations to be completed, as well as attendance at short class regarding the meaning of Baptism. If you are interested in getting baptized, please contact our Community Department and we can give you the proper information needed.
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I am getting married. How do I go about getting Premarital Counseling?
The Well does do premarital counseling. Each pastor usually requires three to four sessions of premarital counseling before they will marry a couple. Included in premarital counseling are topics such as marriage roles, healthy conflict, finances, expectations and intimacy. If you are planning a future wedding and marriage and want to get started with premarital counseling, please call our office and ask to speak to our pre-marital counseling administrator.
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Do the Pastors at The Well do Weddings and Funerals?
The Well Pastoral staff does do weddings and funerals. To book one of our pastors, please contact our office and speak with one of our office administrators and they will connect you to the right individual.
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How do I give financially at The Well?
If you consider The Well your home, or would like to contribute financially to what God is doing, there are a few ways you can give. On Sundays we have tithe boxes in the front and back of the sanctuary. You can also give online or mail your offering to our office at 7676 N. Palm Ave. Suite #101 Fresno, CA 93711. Another creative opportunity that we offer at The Well that some of our people have taken advantage of is what we call Automatic Tithe. You can set it up with our financial department to automatically donate set amounts on dates that you have elected. All gifts are tax deductible and giving statements are mailed out in January of each year of the previous year’s donations.
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What is Communion? How often does The Well partake in it?
The Well does Communion irregularly but often. We try to do it on weeks where the Scripture being taught lends itself to the kind of reflection that fits with communion. Communion is a practice by believers and a way of remembering Christ and His sacrifice for our Sin. For communion bread is symbolized as Christ’s body, broken for believers, for their sin. Wine is used as a symbol of Christ’s blood shed, for believers’ sin. It is an act of remembrance and thanksgiving for believers. The Scriptures teach that communion is offered for followers of Christ, so we ask that if you have not yet placed your faith in Christ that you would simply observe God’s people in worship. For Scripture related to communion, refer to Mark 14: 17-26 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
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What is the Ripple?
The Ripple is the Well’s version of a sermon discussion guide. It is designed to help life groups continue the conversation that was started during the sermon that week. If you have questions, comments, or ideas about the sermon each week, but no place to express them, the Ripple is the tool for you and Life Groups are the place to find it. The Ripple will help you to build relationships and dig deeper into the bible at the same time.
The Ripple can be found by going to any episode in The Feed, and clicking on the "Attachment" link for that episode.
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