gospel community faq
Q - Why do Gospel Communities exist?
A – Gospel Communities exist to provide a pathway for us gather together and wrestle with the implications of the Gospel in community. They create an environment for Gospel growth and reproduction to take place.
Q – What’s involved in Gospel growth and reproduction?
A –Gospel growth occurs when people understand, apply and are transformed by what Christ has done for us. When people are transformed by the truth of the Gospel they began to reproduce this process in the lives of others. To create an environment for such growth and reproduction to occur our Gospel Communities include five components:
- Scripture - Studying and applying God’s Word
- Spiritual Growth - Helping each other through accountability and encouragement.
- Soul Care – Providing a network of care for people where they can share both the joys and struggles of life as they pursue God together.
- Spending Time Together - Creating a place for people to enjoy being around each other — during the group time as well as outside the regularly scheduled meeting. We believe that people are hungry for relationships but real friendships don’t develop overnight - they take time.
- Service – Gospel Communities will have an outward focus as each group looks for creative ways to serve in our community. They will also be a place where people can use their gifts in a broader scope than is available on a Sunday morning.
Q – What happens in a Gospel Community?
A – A Gospel Community meeting is structured into three movements:
- Gathering – Each meeting will have a time of gathering where people spend time together catching up and discussing life (usually some type of food and drinks will be involved).
- Discussion – Each meeting will have a time of engaging the Scriptures either through sermon discussion or curriculum.
- Prayer & Care – Each meeting will have a time where people pray together and care for one another.
Q – How do I get into a Gospel Community?
A – People will be encouraged to find a group based on who they know, where they live, and what night of the week works best for them. This will allow people freedom to get into a group that fits them best. Signup has begun and will run until September 12th.
Q – How often will Gospel Communities normally meet?
A – Gospel Communities will meet three times a month. They will take the first week off, which will let group members have a break and leave some time open for church-wide gatherings. We will encourage Gospel Communities to meet two of the remaining three weeks in a co-ed setting. On the other week, we encourage them to meet with men and women separately, which allows them to go a little deeper in accountability. Gospel Communities meet September through May and are off for the summer.
Q – Where will Gospel Communities meet?
A – Gospel Communities meet all over the city on different nights. Most of them will meet in the home of the leader. Some will rotate locations meeting in different group member’s homes each week.
Q – Is there childcare for the Gospel Communities?
A – Each Gospel Community is responsible for its own childcare. There are several ways to accomplish this. On the Gospel Community registration, “child-friendly” groups will be indicated with an asterisk. “Child-friendly” does not mean that childcare is provided, but that there will be other parents in the group that will work together to find a childcare solution.
Q – Is there training for the leaders?
A – Yes, we will do a combination of Gospel Community training and modeling as well as individual coaching for the leaders.
Q – How do I become a Gospel Community leader?
A –Gospel Community leaders are recognized and apprenticed from within existing Gospel Communities.