Pastor opens home to his new church

Seven years ago, in New York, ordained minister Tim Cotton began helping small churches build programs and facilitate growth through his ministry, Truth and Way.

In late July, Cotton expanded this ministry and planted a church in Culpeper, Truth and Way Ministries, an international reformation ministry whose members meet weekly in Cotton’s home at 201 W. Spring St.

The name came from a dream in which Cotton was having a conversation with himself and decided he was to lead people to truth to show them the way.

With a fluctuating attendance of eight to 10 people, Sunday worship begins at 9 a.m. An equipping hour, similar to Sunday school, follows worship and provides further opportunity for Cotton to “equip” the saints to live a life to the fullest.

Both worship time and the equipping hour encompass the whole family; there is no breaking down of age groups.

Cotton, 50, moved to Culpeper two years ago with his wife and three children. He has been in ministry for 10 years, though he prefers to be bi-vocational and is employed as a full-time head custodian at Emerald Hill Elementary School. A huge Redskins fan and Civil War buff, Cotton enjoys hunting, fishing and reading.

As he pondered the future of his church, he chuckled and acknowledged that they will outgrow his living room in five years. As a pastor, he says he would rather preach to 10 who want the truth of scripture rather than 50 who are there for the meal that follows.

Cotton admits he is not interested in growing numbers or moving into a particular building.

“It’s not the location,” he said. “It will grow for his purpose and glory.”

Pastors are not an authority, Cotton said of his role at Truth and Way Ministry: “A pastor is a function. It is someone who is called to serve. We serve the sheep.”

In describing his Ministry, Cotton said, “We stand for the five solas of the Reformation: scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, for God’s glory alone. We are looking to purify the church.”

Cotton describes the worship experience as a blended service. They use hymns and contemporary songs to match the sermon. Cotton said the message is simple, centered on preaching of the Word.

“Truth and Way Ministry is church as it was created to be,” said Cotton. “We lay all our authority in the scriptures instead of the traditional foundation. We are looking to get rid of all the stuff that makes up a church,” he said referencing budgets and offering. “We are getting back to basics, serving those who want the Bible alone, getting rid of all the man-made stuff.”

“It’s how we treat each other; that’s what church means,” Cotton elaborates. “If we aren’t loving one another in church then we aren’t going to do it out of church.”

Cotton lives by the words of St. Augustine, who said, “Preach the gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.”

Opportunity for Bible study begins at 6:30 on Sunday evenings. The current series, “Seeking the face of God,” looks at the attributes of God. Cotton does not utilize pre-designed curriculums, instead choosing to write his own studies.

Truth and Way is the only church of its kind between Warrenton and Charlottesville but has a sister church in Warrenton, Covenant Reformed Baptist, and one in Charlottesville, Christ Reformed Baptist.

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star-Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at recopps2002@comcast.net

Want to Go?

Truth and Way Ministries holds its Sunday worship at 9 a.m. with an equipping hour (Sunday school) to follow. A Bible study is held Sundays at 6:30 p.m. The church meets in the home of Pastor Tim Cotton, 201 W. Spring St. in Culpeper. Call 825-6059 or visit truthandway.org