Missional Community Groups

Being involved in community is critical to being in church rather than simply “attending” church. Missional communities are different from “small groups” or “mid-week Bible studies” that function as a program in the church; for us, they are the church. At the heart of Grace Fellowship are local assemblies of believers in Jesus who live out the mission of Jesus together.

Locations: Saskatoon (contact Murray for more information)

Leask/Marcelin, Saskatchewan (contact Larry for more information)

Our Priority: The Gospel

As we focus on our purpose, we do not first ask the question, “What works best?” Instead, we ask, “How do we best display who God is and what He has done in and through Jesus Christ appropriately within the culture we are sent to?”

Our goal is not to convert people to our church. Our goal is to see them converted to Jesus through the gospel so that they can BE THE CHURCH on mission that truly declares and demonstrates the gospel in all of life.

The Gospel is not just about my individual happiness or God’s plan for my life. It is about God’s plan for the world.

The gospel is not just the ABC of Christianity, but the A to Z. It is the way in which we are to live every day of our life. The reason why so many Christians fail to experience ongoing transformation is because they have forgotten what God has done for us in the Gospel (2 Peter 1:3-9).

Our Gospel Identity

We don’t go to Church. We are the Church. We want people to experience church as a network of relationships rather than a meeting you attend or a place you enter. We want our people to see church as an identity instead of a responsibility to be juggled alongside other commitments.

We have a new identity because of what He has accomplished and it is in light of what He has done for us and who we are in Christ that we do anything rightly. Our Sanctification comes out of our Justification. We live differently because of what he has done and who we are in Christ. Our doing comes out of our being.

We are His:

Family – His Children who are adopted and fully accepted and loved – we don’t do good works to BE justified, we do them because we ARE justified (John 1:11-13; Eph. 3:15). As His family we are committed to the privilege of loving and caring for one another, discipling one another, investing in relationships and resolving conflict.

Missionaries – His Ambassadors who have been reconciled and sent out to be agents of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; John 17:18; 20:21). As His missionaries we are committed to communicating the gospel message in the context of community. .

Servants – His Possession who have been purchased and set free to serve others – not in bondage to sin and not as slaves to men – winning their approval (1 Corinthians 7:22-23; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 2:1-11). As His Servants, we follow Jesus, the ultimate servant, who humbly gave his life in joyful submission, even unto death, so that others could experience salvation, peace and restoration. (Matthew 20:25-28; 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; 1 Peter 2:16)

Learners – His Disciples who are dependent upon His Spirit to teach and transform us into the image of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:28-30). The Church is a Community of Learners – called to equip and be equipped (2 Tim. 2:1-2; Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 3:14 - 4:5; 2 Peter 3:18).

We are a family on mission sent by God to serve our world and continually learn how to walk in his ways.

 

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES DEFINED

A Missional Community is a committed core of believers (FAMILY) who live out the mission of Jesus together (MISSIONARIES) in a specific area or to a particular people group by demonstrating the gospel in tangible forms (SERVANTS) and declaring the gospel to others – both those who believe it and those who are being exposed to it (LEARNERS).

To Clarify…A Missional Community is NOT primarily: A Small Group

A Bible Study

A Support Group

A Social Activist Group

A Weekly Meeting

Mission Through Community

Living out the reality of being the Church together as we walk through life together and live out mission together.

God’s Story We are a story-formed community - shaped by and centered on God’s story. God has been unfolding his Story since before time began. We believe we are participants in the Story and need to understand it and see how our lives intersect with it.

Consider We are called to pray to and listen to God. We need to regularly consider how to incarnate the Word of God (written and living) in this time and place for the glory of our King and the kingdom He is advancing (Heb. 2:1; 3:1;10:23-24; 12:1-3). We also listen to others’ stories and that we might bring the gospel story to bear on each other.

Celebrate We gather together to celebrate God’s goodness and grace. Our celebrations are not just a response – they are also a demonstration of what God is like and has done.

Bless We intentionally bless others through words, gifts or actions. We have been given what we have so that others might also receive. We must regularly take account of what has been given to us and realize that it is not ours, but God’s to steward. Then, in light of the gospel that reminds us that He become poor so that in his poverty we might become rich, we are freed up to pour out our lives and things so that others might be blessed and taste and see that the Lord is good (2 Cor. 8:9-15; 9:6-15; Eph. 4:28).

Eat - Meals are a daily reminder of our common need for God and his faithfulness to provide both physically and spiritually. We regularly eat meals with those not in our immediate family or circle of close friends, discipling them toward a life of dependence on God. (Leviticus 23; Matthew 6:11; 26:17-30; Acts 2:46-47; Romans 12:13) Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, we do it unto God. Every meal really is a demonstration of the gospel. We come hungry (a real need) and our need is graciously met (Whatever we have is from God).

Re-create As a community, we take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect God to others. (i.e. work on projects together, vacation together, take retreats together, share hobbies or recreational interests etc.)