Entry: Missional Community Friday, May 21, 2004



Well, since Marsh has already done it, I will follow suit, Paul has posted some brilliant thoughts on doing missional community that I cant help but read over and over, so, a quick copy and paste and irony of it all brings them to you.....as follows.

1. Christ followers follow Christ. Okay, semantic mumbo jumbo it would seem, but i don't think it can be emphasized enough. Talk is cheap, actions speak volumes.
2. The "main event" is not when we gather. Yes, we meet to encourage, to learn, to pray, to sing, to eat, to take communion, etc. But we emphasize the mission of our community: to be Christ's presence in our communities. When we leave, we don't simply tolerate life until next meeting, we live our faith in front of others. We listen to the hurting, we give aid to those who need it, we pray for folks. We become the body of Christ to our world. This is huge.
3. Everyone must exercise their giftedness for the body to function correctly.
4. Leaders must lead, but they must lead in a way that helps others burst forth. If the leader is the spotlight, then they are not leading correctly.
5. Community takes time - loads of it!!
6. How you handle children is something you must negotiate in your group. Whatever you decide, make sure to celebrate them in your community.
7. Get folks excited about giving money away. Show direct connections between what they give and who it went towards.
8. Spiritual disciplines can help us. Don't let it be legalistic.
9. Our culture's hyper-individualism will continue to bump up against your community.
10. A couple hours in a community gathering only . . . serves your vocation in the world for the rest of the week.
11. A couple hours in a community gathering only . . . serves your vocation in the world for the rest of the week.
12. A couple hours in a community gathering only . . . serves your vocation in the world for the rest of the week.
13. I just want to emphasize numbers 10-13.
14. Be willing to change your plan for what God has in store.
15. Organic things live and die. Organic groups should be allowed to do the same.
16. Success is following Jesus.
17. Success is not in amount of $ your community has, number of people that come to your gatherings, or number of people you "convert."
18. Obedience in the small things - we always want to jump on to the big things.
19. Love those around you.
20. Sometimes the best thing for a community is change.
21. Sometimes the worst thing for a community is change.

thanks Paul...

Side note, did another review over at spinning..... Pedro the Lion

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