Community at Mission Church
At Mission Church, we long for everyone to grow relationally, spiritually, and missionally in gospel-centered community. We do this by offering small groups and courses for you to step into. These are designed to be genuine environments that are gospel-centered and give honor to one another and to the Lord. Small groups are designed around age and stage of life while courses allow you to step into gospel-centered community around a specific subject for a specific length of time and provide an on ramp to long term community within a small group.
We live in long-term networks of terminally casual relationships. No one really knows us beneath the well-crafted public displays, and because they don't know us, they cannot minister to us, because no one can minister to that which he does not know.
Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Beliefs about Gospel-Centered Community
Evidence for Community
In Scripture, we are clearly called to be in community (Hebrews 10:24-25). God Himself
models community for us in the Trinity and invites us into community with Himself
through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Throughout Scripture,
we see God starting with one man and expanding his community to reach the ends of
the earth (Romans 8-10, Matthew 28:16-20). Acts 2 paints a clear picture of what the
early church looked like and what characteristics marked the early believers. The
Apostle Paul speaks, specifically, about community in his letter to the Galatians along
with the authors of Hebrews and James (see above verses). We realize that the enemy
loves to attack in isolation and that community is necessary to help the believer stand
strong in the faith. Community can also be used evangelistically to draw non-believers
into ultimate community with the Lord.
Elements of Grow
All groups should be marked by the Word of God (the Bible) and the Work of God (the
Gospel). Groups should gather together with the ultimate goal of growing in an
understanding of God’s Word and our gospel identity. Taking it a step further, we teach
and share that identity as we spread the good news - the Work of God. Learning from
and alongside one another is how God designed us as believers. We long to see every
person grow relationally, spiritually, and missionally inside a group.
Spiritual Growth
We believe a key aspect of being a fully formed follower of Christ is to grow spiritually.
We desire to see people further their understanding of what it means to be a gospel-
centered disciple who gathers, grows, gives, and goes. Growing spiritually means both
the acquisition of truth and the application of truth, and we believe that truth is only
found in Scripture.
Relational Growth
Another key aspect of being a fully formed follower of Christ is to grow relationally.
Relational growth requires consistency, which is a commitment that carries a cost of
time, attention, and sometimes resources. Consistency creates a rhythm that allows for
hospitality, authenticity, vulnerability, accountability, and the sharing of prayer requests.
Missional Growth
While groups are marked by spiritual and relational growth, they are inadequate without
the third marker of missional growth. As believers, we are called to live outside of
ourselves, carrying out the mission of our King. The response of a group growing
spiritually and relationally is seeking opportunities to respond to the needs within the
body and then the community around them.