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Leading Missional Communities

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Leading Missional Communities HANDBOOK INDEX. ​ ​​ INDEX. 0 ABOUT MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES 1 ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ WHAT IS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY? 1 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ MC GATHERING FRAMEWORK (the 3C’s) 2 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Missional Community FAQ 3 ​ ​ ​ ​ HELPFUL LEADERSHIP HINTS/TIPS (for MC leaders) 6 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ LEADING MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES 7 ​ ​ ​ ​ GATHERING ACTIVITIES 7 ​ ​ CELEBRATION IDEAS 7 ​ ​ CONNECTION IDEAS 7 ​ ​ CHALLENGE IDEAS 9 ​ ​ COMMUNITY MULTIPLICATION PROCESS 10 ​ ​ ​ ​ 6 WEEK STARTER GUIDE 11 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ WEEK 1 11 ​ ​ WEEK 2 12 ​ ​ WEEK 3 13 ​ ​ WEEK 4 14 ​ ​ WEEK 5 15 ​ ​ WEEK 6 16 ​ ​ 1 ​ ​ ABOUT MISSIONAL ​ ​ COMMUNITIES WHAT IS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A Missional Community is a group of believers that gathers on a regular basis ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ around regular rhythms of celebration, connection, and challenge. The expression of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ an MC varies from community to community, taking on the personality of its’ people. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ However, each MC will celebrate stories, connect with God and each other, and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ challenge one another to advance the Kingdom of God in their sphere of influence. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ INFLUENCE: The Mission of Grove is to Empower Everyday Believers. At Grove, we ​ ​​ ​​ ​​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ believe that communities are the engine/strategy to reach pre-believers in our city. We ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ believe that new, born again believers (babies), make our church family healthy. We ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ believe that everyday believers are the Lord’s key to kingdom growth. Missional ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Communities are meant to be “at home delivery rooms” full of equipped, supportive, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ family members ready to lay their lives down for their friends. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ TWO TYPES OF INFLUENCE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1. Common Influence ​ ​ a. A Common Influence Community is one that shares a sphere they ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ are seeking to reach. IE: the Somali Community in MPLS. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. Everyday Influence ​ ​ a. An Everyday Influence Community is one that celebrates each ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ person’s personal influence they are having in their individual ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ spheres. IE: each individual’s workplace, specific neighborhoods or ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ relationships. COMMUNITY: Missional Communities are part of our church’s strategy to intimately ​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ encourage, challenge, and support one another. “Rejoicing with those who rejoice and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ mourning with those who mourn” is life-giving when done in the context of kingdom ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ communities. Discipleship was always meant to thrive within community. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2 ​ ​ MC GATHERING FRAMEWORK (the 3C’s) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CELEBRATION A time in the night to celebrate God-stories, seed stories, breakthrough ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ testimonies, & eachother. ​ ​ ​ ​ CONNECTION The “meat & potatoes” portion of connecting around a subject, studying the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bible, practicing a spiritual exercise together, and caring for one another in ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ prayer. CHALLENGE When we gather, we challenge one another into healthy lifestyles, unto ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ reaching our everyday spheres of influence with the love of Jesus . ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3 ​ ​ Missional Community FAQ ​ ​ ​ ​ What is a Missional Community? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A Missional Community is a group of believers that gathers on a regular basis to encourage each other in ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ advancing the Kingdom of God in their everyday spheres. A MC has regular rhythms of looking towards ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ God, looking towards each other & looking out to the world around them. The expression of a MC varies ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ from community to community, and takes on the personality of its’ people. However, each MC will ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ celebrate testimonies, connect deeply around God, the Bible, culture & influence, and challenge one ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ another to engage in mission and the things of God. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ What is the purpose of a MC? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ To facilitate dynamic community relationships that inspire each person to fall more in love with Jesus & ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ reveal His love to their everyday spheres of influence. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ What is the structure of a MC? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Each MC will have 3 elements: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1. CELEBRATION: this is the time in the night to share God stories/testimonies. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. CONNECTION: The “meat & potatoes” portion of connecting around a subject, studying the Bible, ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ practicing a spiritual exercise together, and caring for one another in prayer. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3. CHALLENGE: Every time we gather, we challenge one another into healthy lifestyles, unto ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ reaching our everyday spheres of influence. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Can I check out any MC or do I have to receive a personal invitation? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ You are invited to check out any of the open Missional Communities! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ How do I find the address for an MC? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Great question! There are three easy ways to connect: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1. Relationship: connect with someone who goes to a MC and join them for an evening to see if it’s ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ a good fit for you. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. Connection: Talk to a leader on a Sunday night and get the info you need to attend their MC. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 3. Inquire: via the website or app, you can reach out and get the info needed for the MC of your ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ choice. Is a MC a Small Group? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Yes, in the sense that it is a small group of people gathering! However, typically speaking, Small Groups ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ tend to be more inward focused, and Missional Communities are all about going out & advancing the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​​ Kingdom in our everyday spheres of influence. So, while you will be sharing testimonies, worshiping, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ praying, studying the word etc. our sincere hope is that your involvement in Missional Communities will ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ inspire you to live on mission in your everyday life. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Is a MC an Outreach Team? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ No, however, your community may choose to go on an outreach of some sort to stretch and activate ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ boldness in the group towards their own personal influence or their greater common influence. ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4 ​ ​ Is a MC a service? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ No! Think “circles”, not, “stages”. Think, “conversation”, not, “teaching”. That is what Sunday services are ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ for! This is everyone’s opportunity to share, listen & go deeper together. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ How often do MC’s meet? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Missional Communities meet as often as they would like. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ How long does a typical MC last? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Leaders often do their best to keep MC’s to 2 hours or under. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Are children welcome at MC’s? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Many of our Missional Communities are open to children! Inquire with each leader to determine if that ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ particular MC is a good fit for your children. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ How should I choose which MC to join? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ However you’d like! If you are relationally connected already, go where your friends are! If you are new to ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Grove, choose based on the time & location that are most accessible to you & go from there! Our hope is ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ that you would check out a few MC’s to see what they are all about, and find the best fit for you! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Can I join more than one MC? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ We strongly encourage
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