DOING LIFE TOGETHER

Doing life together as a faith community is no longer a goal but an attainable practice that continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members. New members are motivated and mentored by existing members. Knowledge and sharing become the primary focus and all members are able to participate. Whether a person sees themselves on the margins or in the core, they all have a place within the community to add value.

It is evident that we cannot have discipleship without community. The New Testament provides evidence as to the communal nature of discipleship. Hebrews 10:24-25 spurs us to love one another, serve each other and never forsake meeting together. The New Testament view of discipleship depicts a collective perspective of faith one that involves a daily sharing of life together.

"Spiritual fellowship involves mutual commitment and responsibility. We must commit ourselves to faithfulness in getting together, openness and honesty with one another, and confidentiality in what is shared. We must assume the responsibility to encourage, admonish, and pray for one another. Spiritual fellowship means that we “watch out” for one another, feeling a mutual responsibility for each other’s welfare. This does not mean that we transfer the responsibility for our Christian walk to another person or that we assume his but rather that we help each other through encouragement and accountability."

-Jeff Bridges, True Community

“Because the church is a body, grounded in a context and social construction of reality, it always reflects and sacralizes values that have yet to be fully processed and comprehended.”

-The Very Revered Dr. Martyn Percy,

Shaping the Church: The Promise of Implicit Theology

Cycle of Praxis

Cycle of praxis provides a working model to give a voice to how we continue the great commission in the 21st century. We must continue to evolve and grow in our understanding of faith and community. Learning and experience are not inseparable.

Cultivating new disciples through community allows the community to continue to thrive. In combination with current ministry methods online communities of practice and cycle of praxis lend themselves to a present and prophetic view of rediscovering community.

In this new cycle of praxis, experience focuses on the daily life of each practioners and how they practice their faith in communion with their family, workplace and church community.Membership or discipleship is not the goal but the outcome of the practice. The more participation and commitment is involved the more growth and maturity take place.

Furthermore, the increase of competency, trust, and quality engagement will continue to support the connection of the members in online and offline practices. Every iteration cycle allows for new people with a shared domain to enter into the community as well as existing members can renew their commitment to this communal learning process.

Experience

Experience relates to the practices that incorporate faithful spiritual practices that support their Domain (Shared Interest).

Learning/
Reflection

Learning & Reflection in communion with their community allows for space for tough questions and exploratory ideas based on experience in contribution to the community. It is also the place where trust continues to grow as they witness members who they have shared with in experience also become vulnerable in learning and reflection.

Synthesis/
Planning

Synthesis and Planning would allow for members to feel valued as all members contribute to the analysis and new insights that will support further growth and connection.

Implementation/

Review

Implementation & Review is an opportunity for new member to see their changes and transformation in action. It gives grace for the experiential nature of living out our faith in community. It opens the door for new experience which will engage and encounter new members into the community.