Marriage often means sharing a range of duties, from cleaning house to earning money. In the case of Steve and Mamie Ogle of Butler, marriage also means sharing the pulpit.

But technically, the Ogles stipulate, the Sunday message is delivered from a round, café-style table instead of from a conventional pulpit - another factor that makes their church unique.

"The atmosphere is a little different," Mamie Ogle said of Community Life Church, which the couple started in November. "We have a café table. We have some stools we sit on together - and we teach in that kind of atmosphere. … We call it team teaching," she added.

The couple describes Community Life as a nondenominational, full-gospel church, which means its members believe in healing through the laying on of hands, the baptism of the holy spirit, and that people can be filled with the spirit - which includes speaking in tongues.

"We put three words in our mission statement: believe, belong and become" Mamie Ogle said of the church's philosophy. "Basically, what that revolves around is we believe that people are looking for three things in life: they want meaning in their lives, they want a sense of community and a destiny beyond what everyday life is. That's where those three words come in."

Without a permanent home for their church, the Ogles hold Sunday services at McQuistion Elementary School in Butler Township, averaging more than 80 attendees each week.

The Ogles say they are pleased that services, which began with about 50 attendees, are gaining attention. They attribute the increasing popularity to their 10-year stint as associate pastors at Victory Christian Fellowship in Cranberry Township, which is offering financial support to the new church.

"They see it as a great way to evangelize," said Mamie Ogle, explaining the supporting churches view Community Life as an ally rather than a competitor.

Ties to a former Victory Christian congregant has also led to financial support from Orchard Grove Community Church in Michigan, the couple said.

The Rev. John Nuzzo of Victory Christian stands behind his church's support of the Ogles. "They are the highest quality of people that you could find, as well as the highest quality of ministers," he said.

"They served for years in supportive roles (at Victory Christian) to prepare themselves to be able to effectively reach the city of Butler. They have a tremendous vision in their hearts to have a deep impact into the city - to meet the felt needs of the city. They certainly have my highest regards and recommendations," Nuzzo said.

The Ogles say their goals for 2005 include starting a youth ministry, a membership class and a class for new believers.

Other plans, said Steve Ogle, include offering help to those battling addiction.

"I ran through that gamut of both drug and alcohol addiction," Steve Ogle explained. "I'm 22 years sober right now. When we were down at Victory Christian Fellowship, we were instrumental in starting the Victory Group, which helps (addicts) deal with the everyday realities of recovery," he said.

Steve Ogle also stressed the importance of a casual environment that makes congregants feel comfortable, explaining the lack of a formal pulpit offers a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for both new and longtime believers.

"After the service, we have a hospitality time with great refreshments," he added, explaining the church meets from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. each Sunday at the school. "We're out in time for the Steelers games," he said.