Over the last few week, as a community we have been exploring what kind of church we are called to be.  That is, we are exploring what patterns do we want to embrace as a reflection of our intention to be a missional community to our neighbour, the city and the world.  While this will be an ongoing process, of course, we are currently looking at four patterns.  We are drawing a lot from the excellent book “Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness” (Lois Y. Barrett, editor).

Drawing from 2 Corinthians 4, the four patterns we have been exploring are:

Pattern 1: A Community of Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
“It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ Since we have that same spirit of  faith, we also  believe and therefore speak.”   “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:13, 16)

Kim led our discussion last week about this topic, reminding us that we are all called to be disciples and disciplers, to learn as much as teach.  We believe that the Holy Spirit in us as a community is the central means through which we are to learn from Scripture.  She also reminded that we be committed to what we have come to call the 3 H’s- the Head, the Hands & the Heart (mind, will & emotions).  Each of us tends towards one over the others, which is why we need to trust and rely on one another.

In the coming weeks we will be looking at the follow patterns (not necessarily in this order):

Pattern 2: A Community of Calling
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor. 4:1)

Within the larger mission of God, we are committed to understand and engage in our part of that mission, specific to our giftings, our context, etc.  To do this, we have to understand what constitute “success” in this mission.  While believe that conversion is an essential result of God’s work, our ultimate measure of “success” must be obedience and faithfulness.  Mission is a centrally defining aspect of who are as a community, as a church.

Pattern 3: A Community of Contrast
“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded  the minds of unbelievers, so that they can’t see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”   “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but  not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor 4: 3-4, 8-9)

At the same time that we seek to be a contextually relevant witness to our community, we also recognize that we are called to a life that is counter-cultural.  We know that following Christ will put us into the conflicting path of the principalities and powers of this present age, such as consumerism, individualism, etc.  This means we are open to asking and answer difficult, complex and even personal questions.  We will face very real internal and external conflicts and challenges, and must do so with humility and courage.

Pattern 4: A Community of Practicing Beliefs
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort  the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Cor. 4:2)

Beyond embracing ideals, our beliefs must inform our actions and define how we actively live our lives.  To that end, we seek to identify and pursue those core practices of the faith we believe central to our community.  Radical hospitality, reconciliation, accountability and generosity are just a few core practices that must be genuinely personal and communal acts, careful not to simply be goals in programed projects.  This will mean committing to a sharing a rhythm of life together.

I am really excited to explore these points in more detail in the weeks to come!

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 11:50 pm and is filed under news . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.