“Disciples are people who spend our lives apprenticed to our master, Jesus Christ. We are in a growing relationship, always. A disciple is a learner, but not in the academic setting of a school room, rather at the work site of a craftsman. We do not acquire information about God but skills in faith.”
Many of us find meaning in who we are, where we come from, what we do for a living, or where we live. The list is long and we try to squeeze that significance, or the best of us, into our 140-character bio. We label ourselves, we are labelled by others, and our cultures tells us to find and express ourselves. It’s all quite confusing, disorienting, and we are left clinging to mishmash of views or stories about ourselves. This mosaic forms our identity.
In January, Brad shared a teaching on the vision and direction of Soma for 2018 and the next ten years. He shared on behalf of the elders and we would love to remind you of this vision as we head into the final months of this year. You can listen here. Essentially, we’re praying for and hoping for revival. What follows is a summary of Brad’s talk.
Every community and common mission is unique. The cookie cutter doesn’t exist and there’s no sense in trying. However, the main questions are always the same, even when the answers are numerous. The best place to start with your mission isn’t activity but listening. Listen to the people you are sent to and reflect on how their lives might intersect the gospel and community.
You don’t have to read the papers, watch the news, or scroll through social media to know this pervasive truth: the world is not as it should be. Society is not right. Culture is corrupt. Institutions are failing. The market is not moral. Humans, in our sin, are destroying the earth as fast as we can, only to be outdone by the destroying of one-another.
Missional communities exist to grow in love for God.Missional communities are groups of people that learn to follow Jesus. These communities consist of disciples, meaning people are being renewed by the gospel through abiding in Christ. Missional communities are environments to pursue knowing God and the power of his resurrection with others and for others.
