If we are going to be missional people functioning as a missional church, then we have to understand the relational world. There are not many issues God is more passionate about than our relational world …especially moving people from isolation to community. Deep, authentic, Christ-centered relationships don’t just happen …it takes time and effort to develop them. I believe that these types of relationships will be cultivated best in the context of missional community. Relationships with other believers, relationships with a lost community, and relationships with the God of the universe are the primary focus of missional communities. These missional communities gather together on a consistent basis to share in the application of God’s word, to share in personal struggles and triumphs, and to share in helping each other to move closer and closer to maturity in Christ. At our church in austin we call them “neighborhood gatherings”… the name is not important, but what they consist of below is…

Prayer

Prayer is the launching point for everything that is involved in planning for the community group’s ministry. Real, deep, and authentic relationships that are centered on Jesus don’t just happen, even with the best planning. The Holy Spirit must bring lives together who are able to engage in conversations and share the core of who they are with others. We have to earnestly pray for decisions on who the community group leaders will be, who will be placed in each individual group, and what types of groups should be offered.

Biblical Principles

1)Prayer and the confession of sin (James 5:16) - Prayer and confession of sin is vital if believers are going to live authentic lives where real issues of the heart can be dealt with and redeemed for the glory of God.

2)Seeking the best for others in Love (Philippians 2:1-4, Ecclesiastes 4:8-12) - Genuine love and care for others is a crucial part of nurturing others so that they might be equipped to seek maturity in Christ.

3)Engaging our community with the gospel (Mark 6:7-13, Matthew 28:19) - As believers, we are not called to isolation, but to a mission to go out to others who may not know Jesus.

4)Depth in God’s word (Psalm 1:2, Matthew 22:29) - Words of encouragement and wisdom from others mean nothing if they aren’t drenched with God’s revelation in the Biblical text.

Core Values

1)Authentic Community - Authenticity must be practiced within the community group in order to address sin, to learn from others, and to strive toward holiness.

2)Nurturing Community - Nurturing must be practiced within the community group so that people might be cared for and given guidance during joys, trials, and pivotal life events.

3)Missional Community - Mission must be carried out by the community group so they don’t lose sight of God’s mission to bring the lost to a place of repentance and redemption.

4)Biblical Community - The Bible must be investigated and studied within the community group to point us all to Jesus and to challenge us to be like Him.