For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes … Romans 1:16
What’s a Gospel Community?
A community of people, committed to growing in their understanding and application of the Gospel, through regularly practicing the rhythms of life and ministry that Jesus discipled his followers in.
We believe that Jesus’ radical life is the model for every believer, giving us the example of what it looks like to be a disciple. Through creating weekly space to engage four key Rhythms of Jesus’ life, a Gospel Community courageously journeys together as family into Christ’s mission. As we practice these rhythms, we engage His identity and form corporately and individually around them. In each of these rhythms we hope to create space to be led by the Spirit and engage intimacy with Christ through prayer.
The Rhythms of our Gospel Communities
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
Matthew 13:34
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:27
1st & 3rd Week
Jesus uses stories as His primary tool for teaching, however his Stories and words are always full of Scripture! In the same way, when we come together for Story, we allow the Story of Scripture to point us toward Christ. This time consists of prayer, reading and discussing, sharing and listening and remembering and looking forward. The deeper we understand our stories in light of truth of Jesus’ story, the deeper we understand who we are in Him. It’s from this place of formation that all worship, mission, and sanctification flow!
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
2nd Week
Jesus incarnates Himself among us “not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” We see this clearly in His healing ministry. but the place we see this best is in the Cross. The Gospel itself points us to a lifestyle of servant-hood. On serve weeks, we lean into this aspect of our identity in Christ and practice it through meaningful service. Each Gospel Community commits to serving a single organization, school, or Community. This type of service is more than just meeting needs, it’s embedding ourselves among people who, through serving, we will come to know and love.. In this way, we build lasting relationships that create even more friends for us to connect and share story with.
“…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10
4th Week
Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming, “The kingdom of God is a hand, repent and believe in the Gospel.” Jesus always seeks to connect this Good News with those around Him. As recipients of this same Gospel, we now bear witness to His work in our lives. Therefore, We do not come together on Connect weeks, rather we practice Jesus’ example of being with folks who don’t yet know Him. This rhythm can be engaged in a number of ways, from having neighbors over for a meal, to going bowling with a co-worker. We create opportunities for relationships and actively engage Jesus’ mission, “to seek out and save the lost” when we begin connecting with people in our lives.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
2 Cor 5:20
5th Week
Jesus’ life is marked by celebrations, feasts, meals, and parties. These times in Jesus’ life are filled with genuine celebration and friendship. It is often within these spaces that Jesus teaches and does some of his most significant miracles. When we get a month with five weeks in it, we take the opportunity to eat, celebrate, and invite friends to have fun together with us. In this way, partying allows us to grow as family and gives us a space to invite friends we’re connecting with.