Missional Community
Missional Communities are communities of disciples (8-20 people) that gather in homes as extended families, sharing life's ups and downs together: by eating and praying together, searching the scriptures and sharing wisdom, and helping each other grow as Missional Disciples.
Church as Family
When Jesus came announcing the kingdom of God, he was re-establishing relationship with humanity and reconciling a fractured group of people together. Just read Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:19-22. We are all part of God’s family when we follow Jesus; and his family is an eclectic group of people! We could use God’s reconciling love in our divisive culture. But it is costly! It requires more than simply showing up to a church service once a week. Missional Communities journey through both the highs and lows of life, pursue what's best for others instead of oneself (Jn 15:13), devote themselves to one another (Acts 2:42), and encourage contribution from every member of the community (Eph 4).
Pursuing Jesus Together
Following Jesus cannot be pursued alone. John Wesley once said, “There is no such thing as being a solitary Christian.”And most of us know the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same could be said about following Jesus, “It takes the church to raise a disciple.” How you gather matters. You do not get the Church by putting people in a building together. It is about the bonds people have with one another when they gather expectant to meet with the risen Jesus (Heb 10:22-25; Mt. 18:20). Missional Communities help us pursue Jesus, both as a gathered and scattered community, and cultivate a daily expectancy and awareness to the movements of the Spirit in all parts of our lives.
Gathering Around the Table
Jesus loved gathering around the table and sharing life with people. We believe this is a key practice as disciples of Jesus! Missional Communities gather around the table to share how God is at work in our lives. It is around the table where we cultivate a life of thanksgiving (1 Th. 5:18), bear one another's burdens, pray for and with one another, and celebrate God's goodness in our lives.
Kingdom Formation
We are all being shaped and formed. The only question is by who and what? Missional Communities help form and shape us into the Kingdom of God. They help us grow in Christ's likeness and deepen our intimacy with Him. Along with table conversation, Missional Communities practice four key rhythms as a community: searching the scriptures, soul sharing, spiritual gifts and disciplines, and engaging mission.
Engaging Mission
Missional Communities are a signpost of the good news found in Jesus Christ. Jesus sends his people into everyday mission (Mt. 28:18-20; Jn. 20:21), with his Spirit, to befriend their neighbors and invite them home (Eph. 2:19-22) to share life together. Missional Communities cultivate a missional spirituality within people, giving them purpose in all of life as everyday missionaries.
If you're interested in learning move about Missional Communities
and the Inspire Movement click HERE.
