Church Structure

We're Not A 'Normal' Church

Since our founding in 2013, we have been led to do things differently than many other churches. We believe this is our unique calling for this season as we seek to fulfill our mission: To transform individuals and our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Here are a few of the distinctive characteristics that make our congregation unique. 

• No Paid Staff. We are a 100% volunteer led church. While this does have many drawbacks, it also has many advantages. This structure has allowed us to make a lot of investments in our ministries for Kittanning and Armstrong County, such as Summer of Serve, Royal Family Kids Camp, Hope Center Ministries, and many more. We aren't certain that we'll always have this structure, but it is what God has led us to for this season of ministry. 
• No Church 'Budget'. While we believe strongly in financial stewardship, we don't have a normal church budget. Instead, we have an allocation to different ministry funds. When you give to Living Water Church, you know that 20% will go directly to missions work, 20% to long term savings, 30% for our general bills, 10% to a leader's discretionary fund, 10% to pay down our mortgage, and 10% to support our conference. We don't spend money as a congregation until we build it up in the individual funds and then we prayerfully consider how to support missions, bring transformation to our community, and invest in our property. If you ever have any questions about our church finances, ask any of our leaders and we'll be happy to share any information that you might need. 
• We Are Purposely Decentralized. Our volunteer structure consists of 4 core ministry teams. 
  • Worship Team. This team is responsible for leading our worship services in front and behind the scenes with words, sound, and video for livestreaming. 
  • Connections Team. Our front line ministry team that includes a greeting and security team. 
  • Kid's Ministry Team. We have a nursery and two age groups for Sunday school during our sermon. Every ministry worker on this team has required background checks and each class maintains at least two volunteers per classroom at all times.
  • Preaching Team. We currently have 5 men who work together to create sermon series and share the load of providing sound teaching each Sunday morning and at other classes throughout the year. 
  • Apart from these core teams, we have many opportunities to serve at a variety of projects and events. For the most up to date information, check out our church calendar.
  • Our decentralization also means we're open to hearing ideas from anyone who attends Living Water. If you believe that God is laying a specific ministry idea on your heart that aligns with our mission, we would love to hear about it. Our board meets regularly to discuss ideas and many projects, events, and ministries have started that way throughout the years. We believe that everyone has a part to play in the great commission, including you!

Government Structure

Our current governmental structure consists of an Elder Board that is responsible for the leadership and direction of the church body and the financial management of the church. We also are in the process of starting a Deacon Board that will be tasked with building new systems and solving leadership problems in our church body.

Our Elder board is currently made up of 10 members:

• Andrew Laddusaw
• Luke Price
• Jim Cogley
• Sharon Cogley
• Victoria Shirey
• Mandi Dosch
• Tyler Luke
• Kimberly Luke
• Mark Crosby
• Kristen Crosby

Our first Deacon board candidates are currently finishing up their year of training and will step into their new roles in the summer of 2025. 

Andrew Laddusaw, Senior Elder

Andy and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived and worked in Kittanning since 2011. Andy's path to ministry began in 2009 when his life was radically changed by the work and power of God. The desire of his heart is to see people, families, and the community changed in the same way he was. This passion for change has led him to be involved with Living Water Church since it's founding in November 2013. In his spare time, Andy enjoys reading, gardening, practicing guitar for next week's worship set, and playing with his four beautiful children Abigail, Joanna, Lily, and Malachi.