Community
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Acts 2: 42-43 (NIV)
Living within community, in relationship with others is vital to a healthy Christian life of missionary discipleship. This is what Jesus modelled on earth, in intimate friendship with 3, in community with 12 and on mission with 72. To be a disciple is to be part of the family of God and the body of Christ (1 Cor.12:27). We’re designed to share life with others (Rom 12:5). Everybody needs close human relationships.
We believe committing to our church should mean being a member of a group. Our groups come in various sizes and purposes, yet every one is a community aiming to live a balanced life of discipleship around the simple principles of UP, IN and OUT (hence a triangle). Community is an essential building block of personal faith and of the church. In community we give time to grow in relationship with God (UP); create strong, honest relationships with each other (IN); and reach out to others around us in words and deeds with the love of Jesus (OUT).
Community provides a vital means of support and friendship and often inspiration where we can work out our identity and purpose in a safe environment. Sharing our lives with others encourages us to be accountable and work through our weaknesses as well as providing an opportunity to step out and try something new.
We’ve found Christian community is most healthy where people are joined together in a common focus beyond themselves. We encourage this in all of our groups. At best, it’s a place of risk and adventure. As members discover and develop their individual gifts and calling they can use these to serve others and the city. It’s also a great aspect of God’s mission. In an increasingly fragmented society, we can transform others by building the values and practice of community in our places of influence, wherever they may be.
We know community works at various group sizes and levels of commitment to each other. The most intimate and honest is the accountability pair/trio; belonging begins in small groups; mission and discipleship often grows at mid-sized groups (perhaps a few smaller groups meeting together occasionally); finally, large church celebrations (eg. Sunday Gatherings) offer inspiring worship, teaching and testimony.
Our Missional Communities (the building-block of belong and UP, IN and OUT for our church) tend to be small or mid-sized groups.
The Lifeshape which informs Community is the Triangle.
It’s simple, yet profound. Just as Jesus modelled a life in 3 dimensions (Luke 6:12-19), we aim to live a balanced life of discipleship around actions and activities directed UP (to God), IN (to each other, and inner transformation), and OUT (to the world). This shape is about relationships. Jesus lived all 3 dimensions, we can too. If it doesn’t come naturally, our value is to be intentional in making it happen and living in the fruitfulness this brings.
WE VALUE
- Lay leadership at all levels (1 Peter 2:9)
- Choosing to belong to a group or community of the church
- Jesus’ principle in Matthew 18:15 of avoiding gossip, judgement and undermining others
- The worth of mid-sized community
- A creative balance of UP, IN, OUT
- Being welcoming and inclusive. A safe environment for all.
- Relationships that are unconditionally loving, honest and real
- Contributing to the realistic needs of our church community, including giving financially