DISCIPLESHIP
As a church, we value Discipleship. In other words, we want to know, trust, and follow Jesus in everyday life as a community of disciples.
Know, Trust, and Follow Jesus: Discipleship is a very Christ-centered affair. Because of what Jesus has accomplished in the world, a whole new way of life is possible. Everything that was lost and broken can be restored and redeemed if Jesus becomes the center of our lives. He has launched a revolution in the world to reconcile all things in heaven and earth, and he calls us to join him in this mission. He embodies the truest and fullest way to be human. It is his character that we want to embody in the world. Becoming just like Jesus is the goal of our transformation. Jesus is our starting point and our finish line. As we seek to become more and more like him, remaining connected and close to him is what nourishes and sustains us.
Everyday Life: One bad habit that Christians fall into is to imagine that God only cares about religious activities like prayer and Bible study. We are learning that God is deeply interested in the realities of our daily life. As we move through the day, we can see and step into the work God is already doing in everyday ways: among the members of our family and in our friendships, at school and at work, in meetings, in recreation, in shopping, in daily chores. The Triune God is powerful and good, recreating and restoring, working justice and revealing himself - and we can join in what God is doing.
A Community of Disciples: If we truly want to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus, we need to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus. We need to develop discipleship habits that shape our character and outlook, unite us together as believers, propel us into the lives of others, and over time, make us more like Jesus. Throughout church history, Jesus’ followers have identified different practices in the lifestyle of Jesus that help us, over time, to become more like Jesus. We would recommend that everyone would work through these practices with a community of Jesus followers, because community plays a vital role in our transformation. Together, we can discover how we can practice the way of Jesus in our city.
(See: Surprise the World, by Michael Frost; Simply Jesus, by N.T. Wright; Untamed, by Alan & Debra Hirsch; thewayofjesus.org; practicingtheway.org; Practicing the Way of Jesus, by Mark Scandrette; The Great Omission, by Dallas Willard; letterstotheexiles.com; For the Life of the World, Alexander Schmemann)