Reaching our City

Ephesians 4:1-16

[1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—[5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

[9] (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

[13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesian 4:1-8

• walk in a manner worthy of the calling v.1
• bear with one another in love...unity of the Spirit. v. 2-3
• each given a measure of Christ's gift v.7

Ephesian 4:11

• Apostles
• Prophets
• Evangelist
• Shepherds
• Teachers

Ephesian 4:12-16

• to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ v.12
• Speak truth in love v.15
• Body is held up by each equipped person in the church v.15-16

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It is our conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ creates the Church as a community that is called to participate in the mission of making disciples of Jesus. Geographically comprised, our community groups are smaller groups of people (6–15 people) that meet weekly for things like casual hangouts, meals, Bible studies, and prayer.

Goal of Community Groups

• Connect with God's Word
• Connect with people of the city
• Decentralize leadership and shepherding
• Contextualize the gospel in your neighborhood -- Gospel accessiblity

Leadership

Leadership Qualities

• Initiate and Organize
• Shepherd
• Facilitate
• Multiply

Questions or Comments

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A Model for Discipleship

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES
Missional Communities are community groups that are clustered in the same region of the city. A MC is comprised of 20–50 people who live on mission in their region. More than 2-5 community groups in one region form a MC. Community Groups and Missional Communities meet from September-May.

We are God’s family on mission, sent to serve our world in love and good deeds and continually learning to walk in his ways with each other.

we are hopeful to see...

• Dead become Alive
• Dormant become Awake
• Disciples become Align

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES
More than 2-5 community groups in one region form a MC. Community Groups and Missional Communities meet from September-May.

Why Missional Communities?

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• Regional growth patterns and tajectories
• Scaling discipleship
• Strategic Theological Vision
• Vision to Plant...next

Develop Missional Communities

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Implementation

• Reprogram and adapt
• Regional & missional mindset
• Pathway for discipleship

Implementation

• Pray
• Explore
• Decide
• Relocate
• Celebrate

Missional Covenant

Values of Missional Community

• Family that has been redeemed and who resemble the diversity of the city
• Missionaries who contextualize the gospel to the city

Values of Missional Community

• Servants repurpose their times and talents who bless the city
• Learners who empathize with the people of the city
• Stewards of God's resources who give generously toward the people of the city

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Questions or Comments