CULTIVATE COMMUNITY

STARTER KIT
The what, why and how of launching, leading
and multiplying a gospel community on mission.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT CULTIVATE COMMUNITIES: WHA WH AT

CC Defined .................................................................................... 3
Dispelling CC Myths ....................................................................... 5
Building A Cultivate Community .................................................... 7
DNA Explanation............................................................................. 9
Discipleship Continuum of a CC...................................................... 10
CC Leader Description ................................................................... 11

LIVING IN COMMUNITY ON MISSION: HOW

Top 5 Things in First 3 Months....................................................... 13
Gospel Identities ............................................................................ 14
Gospel Rhythms ............................................................................ 15
CC Covenant Q's ........................................................................... 16
Sample CC Covenant ................................................................... 18
ABC'S of Suburban Mission ............................................................. 20
Engaging in Story........................................................................... 22
How to Lead Gospel Conversations .............................................. 24
Tips for Leading DNA’s .................................................................. 26
CC Warning Signs ......................................................................... 28
CC Leader Personal Evaluation...................................................... 30
Sample CC Ideas........................................................................... 31
25 Simple Ways to Be Missional in Your Neighborhood.................. 32
Additional Resources..................................................................... 33

CORE PERSPECTIVES & DISTINCTIVES: WHY

What is the Gospel? ...................................................................... 34
GCM Collective Distinctives ............................................................ 38

APPENDIX: FUTURE TRAINING ADDITIONS

Story of God Training ...................................................................

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CULTIVATE COMMUNITY DEFINED
WHAT IS A CULTIVATE COMMUNITY?
The mission of God is to restore all things to himself in and through the work and person of Jesus
Christ, including us. His chosen vehicle through which he is accomplishing that mission is the
church. The church is the family of God called together to himself and sent out on his mission.
Cultivate Communities are the primary means through which Cultivate mobilizes people together
on mission, connects people to a caring community and helps them grow to maturity in Christ.

A cultivate community (CC) is an age-integrated core of believers (2-5 families)

intentionally living on mission together through the normal rhythms of life as an
expression of the Body of Christ.

Fleshing that out a little further, a CC is a community (FAMILY) that lives out the
mission of God together (MISSIONARIES) in a specific area and 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
(DISCIPLES).

Simply put, CCʼs are a family of missionary servants,

servants sent to make disciples.
disciples

Cultivate Communities are the main discipleship engine that drives the pistons of leadership
development, caring community, evangelism, and biblical counseling. Through the work of the Holy
Spirit and equipping from elders, we aim to raise up more disciples to lead these small communities
focused on mission.

In preparation for leading this vision, we spent extensive amounts of time reading, studying,
praying, writing, as well as listening and learning from other pastors that are implementing this way
of living. We see it as a simple yet profound means through which we can call people to the
mission of Jesus and fulfill the great commission. It’s nothing new, it’s nothing earth-
shattering...it’s simply organizing ourselves as a church to actually obey Jesus, living out who He
has made us to be, a family of missionary servants, sent to make disciples.

PROGRAMS VS. REAL LIFE

Often, church structures and programs can unintentionally hinder gospel-growth by focusing on
the Christian as a consumer to be caught and kept rather than a minister to be equipped and sent.
Instead of running multiple programs that keep people busy by pulling them out of normal life to
attend events, it is our prayer that Cultivate Communities will equip our people to live out all of
normal life with gospel intentionality.

We differentiate Cultivate Communities from a “program” with this definition: programs are events
coordinated by church leaders that can be successfully run without requiring the body to grow in
the gospel or rely on the Holy Spirit. Thus, a church can have a busy schedule of programs that are
run smoothly and successfully (lots of people came, had fun, felt “ministered to”) all the while
having no one who is actively growing in the gospel.
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Training and equipping in the Christian life best occurs in the normal everyday contexts of life-
on-life relationship. This was at the heart of Jesus’ own equipping ministry with his disciples
and follows the discipleship pattern seen throughout Scripture (Deut. 6, gospel accounts, great
commission, and the early church in Acts.)

Therefore, programs and events cannot become the life-blood of a church that wants to
make disciples, because, simply put, programs don’t make disciples...disciples make disciples.

To clarify, a Cultivate Community is MORE THAN...

...a traditional small group.
...a Bible study.
...a weekly meeting.
...a support group.
...a social justice &/or service group.
...an evangelism program.

That is not to say that a Cultivate Communities won't carry out these functions. CC's will spend time
studying the Bible together in order to discern how they might live it out. CC's do meet weekly (and
hopefully more frequently than that!) CC's do support and care for one another. CC's will serve
together and be evangelistic. But Cultivate Communities are not a program or event; they are an
organic lifestyle flowing from our identity in Christ as a family of missionary servants, sent to make
disciples.

Cultivate Communities are not something add onto life...they are a new way we learn to live.

EACH CULTIVATE COMMUNITY WILL:

1. Be led by a team of people committed to sharing leadership by shepherding, equipping and
organizing a community on mission.
2. Grow together in understanding and applying the gospel to who we are (Identity) because of
God’s work in and through Jesus.
3. Live out the rhythms of a family on mission together (Story, Listen, Celebrate, Bless, Eat,
ReCreate) - BEING the church together throughout the week.
4. Identify, equip, and release new leadership to begin new Cultivate Communities.

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DISPELLING CC MYTHS
IT’S FORCED, PRESSURED COMMUNITY.
COMMUNITY.
Truth: It’s a privilege! We live this way because of who we’ve been made to be in Christ...it’s the
expression of our new identity in Christ. Pressure? No. Theological conviction? Yes.

IT’S RIGID, LEGALISTIC AND NARROW.

NARROW .
Truth: CC’s are about living all of life with gospel intentionality (key word). CC’s have a basic
structure (identities & rhythms) but are totally flexible, tailored to each community & context.

IT’S ONE-
ONE-SIZE FITS ALL, COOKIE-
COOKIE-CUTTER.
CUTTER.
Truth: Not at all! It’s sort of like an iPad. With common “hardware” (identities & rhythms) and
“software” (the gospel), each “app” (CC) is totally unique. In fact, every Cultivate Community will
look different because every context for mission is different. CC's are designed to be
decentralized, creative, diverse and provide space to be entrepreneurial in mission.

YOU W ON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY WITH ALL THE CC MEETINGS.
Truth: It’s not about “meetings” or “have to’s”. It IS about life-on-life and life-in-community, just
like Jesus did with his disciples & like the church in Acts. It’s not at the expense of your family -
they ARE your extended family in Christ! - and it should be life-giving for your family. It is our
hope that someday soon, you would say, “Our CC family is such a blessing...our family can’t
imagine NOT living this way!”

IT’S UNSUSTAINABLE...“IT’S TOO HARD.

HARD.”
Truth: Is it hard? Absolutely (at times). But when it feels “too hard” we should ask, why? Living in
community brings the gospel to bear on our hearts in ways that simply can’t happen if you’re not
in community! It’s essential for sanctification & fruitfulness in Christ. As the gospel redeems our
lives, it becomes more & more life-giving.

IF YOU’RE
YOU’RE NOT IN A CC,
CC, YOU’RE NOT DOING MINISTRY.
MINISTRY.
Truth: CC’s aren’t “the” answer or “the only” way to be engaged in mission. Not at all! We’re just
convinced it’s a simple, biblical way to actually live what we say we believe and obey Jesus’
command to make disciples who make disciples. We rejoice whenever God’s people seek to
honor, serve, and obey Christ.

I’M ALREADY DOING THIS ON MY OWN.

Truth: People don’t drift towards intentional mission. Many people who say this aren't actually
living in community on mission, reproducing disciple-making disciples. This isn’t to say no one
has been making disciples, but too few American, professing Christians can actually point to
specific people whom we have discipled who are themselves making disciples.

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MY HOUSE WILL BE DESTROYED BY NAUGHTY CHILDREN, MESSY PEOPLE.
PEOPLE.
Truth: This reveals our idolatry, unbelief, and misplaced priorities in a number of ways. One
reason this is false is found in the first word of the sentence. The gospel changes “my” to “His”.
I’ve been bought with a price and everything I am and have now rightfully belongs to Jesus and
is best used when put to use for mission. Take care of it? Absolutely. At the expense of being
friends with sinners? Never. “Naughty children” and “messy people” (like you and me) need Jesus,
and loving people more than things is the mark of gospel faith and mission.

IT ONLY WORKS FOR PEOPLE IN A CERTAIN

CERTAIN SEASON OF LIFE (i.e. NO KIDS).
KIDS).
Truth: While it will look different in different seasons of life, living as a family of missionary
servants sent to make disciples, is the purpose of life for those in Christ! There is no season of
life that inhibits or excludes our obedience to Christ, our connection in God’s family, and our
commission to make disciples.

IT ONLY WORKS FOR PEOPLE

P EOPLE WITH A CERTAIN KIND OF JOB/FLEXIBILITY.
JOB/FLEXIBILITY.
Truth: While some factors (travel, schedule, geography) naturally affect availability, we believe
God’s intention for us all is to be connected with a family on mission. It’s doable! Certain people
may have a reduced role in an CC because of other commitments, but if you have time to be a
member of a family, you have time for a family on mission.

IT ONLY WORKS FOR PEOPLE WITH A CERTAIN PERSONALITY TYPE (i.e.

EXTRAVERT).
Truth: While much of what an CC does is social (the church is a community after all!) people of
every gifting and personality type have space and value within the life of an CC. Certain people
will naturally be more outgoing and able to engage with people they don't know, while others
will be better at serving people's needs, praying for the mission or lending a listening ear. In an
CC, everyone gets to exercise their God-given uniqueness as they grow as a disciple.

IT ONLY WORKS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER.

ANOTHER.
Truth: Geographical proximity does in fact lower some of the obstacles to being in community
with one another and on mission to a particular people. With greater physical distance comes
the need for greater intentionality, leveraging the events and activities you're already doing to
create opportunities for community to happen (i.e. trips to the grocery store, kids outings,
vacations, meals, birthday parties, holidays, etc.)

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 FORMING CULTIVATE COMMUNITIES
1. START WITH SHARED LEADERSHIP:
o P rophetic perspective – an emphasis on the unchanging truths of God’s character, the
gospel message and the mission of the Church
o Priestly perspective – an emphasis on the shepherding and care for one another
o Kingly perspective – an emphasis on the tangible working out of the mission
through structures, strategic thinking and hands on activity
PROPHETIC
(Normative)

GOSPEL
MISSION
KINGLY PRIESTLY
(Situational) (Existential)
(NOTE: If you do not have a team to share this in the core of a group, you may want to supplement leadership
through coaching and/or mentoring)

2. BUILD A FOUNDATION ON THE GOSPEL

o Gospel Power – Saved from Penalty of Sin; Being Saved from Power of Sin; and Will Be
Saved from the Presence of Sin
o Gospel Purpose – Making Disciples who Make Disciples
o Gospel People – New Identity in Christ
o Gospel Practices – Living out the Gospel in Everyday Rhythms

3. LIVE WITH GOSPEL INTENTIONALITY

o Grow into Prayerful Dependency
o Make sure the group knows the Story of God
o Become familiar with each other’s stories
o Become proficient in the 4 Gs and Practice Gospeling each other’s hearts

4. HAVE A CLEARLY DEFINED MISSION

o Ask God to clarify your mission – Who are you called to make disciples of? A network of
common relationships, a ministry environment within Cultivate or a geographic location?
o Identify the difference between reactive mission and proactive mission
o Begin to pray intentionally for the mission
o Leaders clearly state the mission and call others to participate in it

5. BEGIN TO ADJUST THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE MISSION

o Shape the weekly schedule to flow with the cultural schedule
o Strategically place meetings in order to make space for missional engagement
o Pay close attention to “seasons” and patterns in the culture of the mission field
o Join in the rhythm of life of the community bringing gospel distinctiveness to it
o Form a Covenant together around the mission

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 6. DISPLAY AND DECLARE THE GOSPEL
o Clarify the Gospel barriers of those you are making disciples of
o Identify the Gospel “doors” or “pathways” to those people
o Prepare and train the group to address cultural idols
o Begin by “showing” good news and be prepared to give an answer for your hope (rehearse
with your group the connection between your display of the gospel and message of the
gospel)

7. STAY CONNECTED TO A COACH

o Coaching for ongoing development of leadership
o Assessments to identify ongoing training needs
o Develop strategic plans together
o Supplement for areas of weakness

8. PLAN FOR MULTIPLICATION

o Regularly sow seeds of multiplication into everything (from the beginning)
o Identify apprentice leaders (2 Timothy 2:2)
o Intentionally share leadership of the community (Leadership development is best in
community)
o Begin to allow margin for apprentice leaders to develop a vision for mission in another
context and begin calling others to their leadership

9. BIRTH NEW CULTIVATE COMMUNITIES

o Talk openly about the future sending of some to start new Cultivate Communities
o As leadership is identified and being equipped release some to start a new community
o Keep in mind the mix of emotions – celebrating (newborn baby) and grieving (children leaving
home)

10. POTENTIALLY LAUNCH NEW EXPRESSIONS OF THE CHURCH

o Groups will need to come back together for ongoing encouragement, equipping and mutual
exhortation
o The gathering of them together becomes a unique and diverse expression of the
Church within a particular context
o This all leads to the development and appointing of Biblical qualified overseers (elders) and
lead servants (deacons) in a new local expression of the church

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DNA GROUPS
WHAT IS A DNA GROUP?
The term DNA group refers to a group that usually consist of three people—men with men,
women with women— who meet together weekly to be known and to bring the gospel to bear
on each other’s lives so that they become more like Jesus.

DNA Groups supplement the Cultivate Community by providing an environment of focused

study and personal development by helping one another apply the gospel to particular areas
in need of change.

A DNA GROUP HAS 3 ELEMENTS:

DISCIPLESHIP
1. Reminding one another of our identity in Jesus Christ, (a child of God, a missionary, a servant,
a disciple...)
2. Admonishing and teaching one another to obey Jesus’ commands (Mt. 28:18-20)
3. Training one another to serve in tangible ways.

NURTURE
1. Getting to know one another’s stories, listening closely to each other and to the Holy Spirit so
we can carefully and empathetically direct each other to truth
2. Checking one another’s current state of believing the gospel and passions by asking
questions like: Where are you living in fear? What frustrations are you facing? Who’s approval
are you striving for? Where are you seeing God’s grace in your life?
3. Praying with and for each other.

ACCOUNTABILITY
1. Encouraging each other to live out what we believe through making goals and helping each
other fulfill them,
2. Review the past week and how faithful we have been in keeping our word
3. Speak the truth in love as we see areas of sin, correcting and rebuking with God’s Word
when necessary.

For tips on leading a DNA Group, see page 26.

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 DISCIPLESHIP CONTINUUM OF A CC
Unbelieving Friends
Primarily unbelieving friends who
are being exposed to Jesus
through a Cultivate community.
BBQs, parties, play dates, craft nights,
sports events, serving, group outings...
Intermediate/Mixed
Unbelieving friends and young
believers who are interested in
Jesus and a Cultivate community
but aren’t yet fully committed.
Story of God, Gospel, Bible study,
identity and rhythms, 4Gs, sharing
stories, DNA…
Committed Core
A “Covenant Community” made up
of believers who are committed
to Jesus and making disciples
through a Cultivate community.
Biblically grounded, Spirit led, Gospel
fluent, leading DNAs, making disciples
together…

Beginning Gospel Intentional Gospel

Influence Influence

15-30 8-20 3-12

Multiply Out to
Launch New CCs

o Growing as a disciple is more like a continuum than separate classes or stages: it’s not
always clear exactly where people are at along that continuum, but the opposite ends of the
spectrum are quite distinct. The goal of discipleship is an increasing faith in and conformity to
Jesus Christ.

o The three circles on the continuum represent environments or contexts for relationships -
not just meetings.

o There needs to be a place (environment) for everyone to be welcomed and properly cared
for in the life of a Cultivate community.

o People in these three relational circles sometimes fluctuate—more so with those less
committed.

o Not everyone who meets with you regularly is actually on mission with you (and that's OK!).
Lives oriented around mission will primarily come from the Committed Core.

o While not neglecting unbelievers and those “interested” in Jesus and a CC, there needs to be
specific focus/investment given to the Committed Core.

o Those in the Committed Core form a covenant together as a CC, and are bringing intentional
gospel influence to all three circles.

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o To effectively make disciples who make disciples, we must pro-actively bring gospel
influence to each circle, i.e. focus on each circle at least 2x a month.

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CC LEADER DESCRIPTION
A Cultivate Community Leader (CCL) takes responsibility for the discipleship of a group of
people, leading them into the identity and lifestyle of a family sent to serve and make
disciples of Jesus.

The primary posture is that of a shepherd, called to “know”, “feed”, “lead” and “protect” a flock.

HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY; LOW CONTROL

We are committed to growing a community of disciple-makers and a team of healthy leaders. Part
of being a healthy leader is practicing submission to godly authority. Our desire is not to control
ministry but to provide high accountability and care for the sake of every leader, their family, and
the flock entrusted to our care. Therefore a CC leader will meet the following:

PRE-REQUISITES
o Participate in a CC for at least 6 months
o Read Everyday Church & Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
o Complete CC Leader Assessment

EXPECTATIONS
o Facilitate a minimum of one weekly gathering of the CC with the goal of pursuing more natural
community (life-on-life, life-in-community, life-on-mission), displaying gospel identities (Family,
Missionary, Servant, Disciple) in all of life. Eat at least one meal a week together!
o Facilitate men/women DNA’s (discipleship/nurture/accountability groups of 2-4 people).
o Maintain regular contact with an elder/coach (face-to-face 1x/month).
o Submit a CC Covenant and keep an updated CC roster & schedule/rhythm.
o Attend the annual CC Leader Retreat (proposed for future).
o Attend monthly CC Leadership Trainings (10 of 12 yearly) & church-wide training/special events.
o Identify & develop an apprentice for future CC leadership (keep multiplication on the table).

QUALIFICATIONS
Head
A CC leader is a learner. They have a desire to be equipped in order to serve the advance of the
Kingdom/Church/Gospel mission. They aren’t afraid of books or study and have a growing grasp of
the gospel and foundational Christian doctrine with a desire to live it out.

Heart
A CC leader is someone who is growing in godly character and in the faithfulness and maturity
expected of a leader as outlined in I Timothy 3. Humility is huge, teachability a must, and a desire
to grow as a faithful disciple of Christ essential. (Note: this is not an elder or deacon position, nor
does one have to be an elder to serve as a CC Leader. However this role serves as a way we
identify, recognize, and raise up future elders. Cultivate Community Leaders are to be viewed as
godly, mature disciples who are elder-”esque”).

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Hands
A CC leader has a growing ability to lead a community of disciples by:
o Identifying idols of the heart and leading in ongoing repentance & faith
o Applying the gospel to various sin related issues (debt, anger, pornography, etc)
o Listening and asking gospel-oriented questions that pursue the heart
o Defining and communicating a clear mission
o Facilitating meaningful discussions & prayer
o Organizing & communicating effectively with a group of 10-20 (schedule, meals, etc)
o Identifying, equipping, and releasing new leaders for multiplication

CULTIVATE COMMUNITY LEADER ASSESSMENT

Every potential CC leader will go through an assessment process with an elder or coach.
This assessment will include evaluation of personal history and spiritual formation, gospel
understanding, ability to articulate their identity in Christ, how the husband leads in the home, how
the wife supports and helps, spiritual health and vitality of the marriage and family, understanding
of GCM principles, teachability, and beliefs and practices related to finances. In addition, candidates
will be assessed in various areas of theological/doctrinal understanding and conviction.

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TOP 5 THINGS IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS
1. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS - GET IN A RHYTHM OF DOING LIFE TOGETHER
Suggestions:
o Have everyone share their “story” - testimonies, individually, as couples...
o Share meals together weekly, cultivate “God-talk”... ask LOTS of questions, discuss sermons,
o Practice listening to each other...
o Get DNA’s going (Use Gospel DNA material)
o Pursue both structured and unstructured settings/gatherings

2. CAST VISION - INTERACT WITH GCM PRINCIPLES, IDENTITIES & RHYTHMS

Suggestions:
o Watch Jeff Vanderstelt's “Gospel Fluency” & GCM Training
o Go through The Storyformed Way together
o Work through as a group “What is the Gospel?” (power & purpose)
o Work through as a group “What does it mean to be the Church?” (community & mission;
identities)
o Suggested Books: Prodigal God (Keller) & Everyday Church (Chester & Timmis)

3. FORM A COVENANT (BUILT AROUND IDENTITIES & RHYTHMS)

Suggestions:
o Think 12-18 months, with the goal of multiplying more CCs
o Break it down into thinking of 3 months at a time, then monthly, then weekly, with the idea
being a “rhythm of life” that has both structured and unstructured components, and should
begin to feel “organic/natural” like family!
o Get Mission as specific as possible, but don’t make an idol of “mission” (there are proactive
and reactive aspects to the CC’s life)

4. IDENTIFY AN APPRENTICE & SOW THE SEED OF MULTIPLICATION EARLY

Suggestions:
o Assess areas for growth and make a plan to share leadership
o Bring your apprentice to MLT trainings & GCM Collective meetings

5. CULTIVATE DEPENDENCY ON THE SPIRIT...PRAY,

SPIRIT PRAY, PRAY
Suggestions:
o “Practice, practice, celebrate, refine” - Start moving, learning along the way for the rest of
your life!
o God has given us His Spirit to empower us in the task. It is His work so take a deep breath,
practice living in this way, celebrate God’s grace along the way, and refine as needed.
o “Small is big, slow is fast.” - Celebrate the small steps and wins “along the way” that are all a
part of the trajectory and pathway of change as the Spirit leads.

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GOSPEL IDENTITIES
WHO WE ARE BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL
Cultivate Communities are the Church scattered. We live as a family of missionary servants sent to
make disciples who make disciples.

We live life in this way because of who we've been made to be in Christ. How we live flows from
who we are. Who we are is a result of what Christ has done. In Him we have a new identity, a new
family, and a new purpose. We grow in these four identities as we live together on mission for
Jesus.

FAMILY
We are children of God. We live and care for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Church
isn’t what we do or where we go on Sunday mornings, it’s who we are as the body of Christ all
week long. This new family forms our primary identity. (Gn 12:1-3; Jn 1:12-14, 13:31-35, Rm 12:10-
16, I Pt. 2:9-11)

MISSIONARIES
We are ambassadors, sent by God to restore all things to Himself, by the power of the Spirit,
through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are no longer our own...living for our purposes, our agenda,
our plan. We’ve been saved by Jesus to be sent on mission for Jesus. We were bought with a price
and rescued from sin to be released in the world with the message of redemption. As a church, we
don’t just send out missionaries...we are a community of sent missionaries! (I Pet. 2:9-11, II Cor.
5:14-21, John 20:21, Col. 1:19-20)

SERVANTS
We are servants of God who serve others as a way of life. In this lifestyle of sacrificial servanthood,
Christ is our ultimate model, who Himself left heaven to come to earth to serve and give His life for
us. (Matthew 20:25-28, 25:31-46; John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:16)

DISCIPLES
We are disciples of Jesus, learning and growing in Him by taking responsibility for our own
development and the development of others. Programs don’t make disciples...disciples make
disciples. We place a high value on every member being discipled and discipling others (both
believers and non-believers) in the gospel. (Mt. 28:18-20, Eph. 4:11-13, 2 Tim. 2:2, Lk. 2:52)

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GOSPEL RHYTHMS
HOW WE LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL AND OUR NEW IDENTITY
CELEBRATE
We gather together often to celebrate God's extravagant blessings. God calls people to regularly
celebrate his goodness and grace. We gather weekly in Cultivate communities and regularly as a
larger family, to share stories and celebrate all that God is doing in and amongst us.
(Leviticus 23; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25)

BLESS
We intentionally bless others through our words, gifts and actions. God desires that all nations,
cultures, and people would be blessed through Jesus." And now, as His people, we live out this
mission as we bless others. We ask God to show us who He would have us tangibly bless each
week in our families, jobs, neighborhoods, and weekly activities. (Genesis 12:1-3; Ephesians
1:22-23; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:12)

EAT
We regularly eat meals with others to invite them into the community of God. Meals are a daily
reminder of our common need for God and his faithfulness to provide for us both physically and
spiritually. Jesus called us to remember him and his sacrifice for us through a meal. When we eat
together, we commune around this truth. We regularly eat meals with both those in and 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)

RECREATE
we regularly take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty in ways that reflect God to others.
After powerfully and joyfully creating the universe, God rested. We were created in his image and
therefore were made to joyfully create and then rest and enjoy creation as well. As finite beings
made in the image of God we display our trust in HIs Sovereign rule over all things as we take time
to practice a sabbath principle to allow God to recharge our bodies and minds.
(Genesis 1-2:3; Deuteronomy 5:12; Mark 2:23-28; Hebrews 4)

LISTEN
We intentionally and actively listen to God daily and we set aside specific times to do so as a
community. We listen by regularly interacting with God’s Word." We also believe he speaks today
through His Spirit in us, through creation and through the specific movements of our Sunday
worship services, such as the call to worship, public reading of scripture and the Lord’s Supper.
(Mark 1:35-37; John 16:7-15; Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 1:20)

LIVE OUT & TELL 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. Therefore, we regularly
reacquaint ourselves with the Story by studying God's Word. We look for ways and times to tell the
Story often. We also take time to listen to others stories and help them find their lives within God's
Story. (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1; Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

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CC COVENANT FORMATION Q's
Q's
GOSPEL I believe that God himself has come to rescue sinners (including me) and renew all of
creation in and through the work of Jesus Christ. I believe that I have been saved from the penalty
of sin, I am being saved from the power of sin and I will be saved from the presence of sin. All this
is a gift of God. I believe that the purpose of being saved is join God on his mission by making
disciples of Jesus.

GOSPEL IDENTITY I believe that I have been given a new identity in Christ because of the gospel.
I am now a part of God’s family of missionary servants sent to make disciples who make disciples.
In my love for Jesus, I am giving my life to this.

MISSIONARIES: We live actively as missionaries sent by Jesus to make disciples.

We believe we are sent to:
o Which people group or groups are you focusing on in your obedience to Jesus’ commission
to make disciples?
o How will we develop relationship with them?
o What specifically will we do this year to ensure the people we are sent to hear the gospel?

FAMILY: We are children of God who live and care for each other as a family.
We will:
o Have we all identified with Jesus and his family by being baptized? If not, when, where and
how will we be?
o What actions should you engage in so that we are expressing your gospel identity as
brothers and sisters together?
o How will we ensure that each of us is involved in regular accountability?
o How will we commit to the “one another's” that are key to be God’s Family together?
o How will we extend the family to those who are still unreconciled to the Father?

SERVANTS: We are servants of God who serve others as a way of life.

We are committed to serve by:
o What do you believe you are specifically called to do in light of our servant identity to
tangibly demonstrate the gospel to those to whom God has sent you?
o How can we demonstrate the gospel to each other? How can we serve each other?
o What specific projects or events do you need to accomplish or get involved in to
demonstrate the gospel to your community?
o What does GOOD NEWS look like to the people you are sent to?
o How will we serve the underprivileged (poor, widows, orphans) among those we are sent to?
o What finances do we pledge to give toward the work of the gospel through our larger
Cultivate family?

DISCIPLES/LEARNERS: We take ownership for our own discipleship & the discipleship of others.
We will devote ourselves to:
o In what ways do you all need to grow spiritually this year? How will we foster that growth?
o In what ways will we become aware of our equipping needs?
o In what areas do we need to be better equipped in so that we will be faithful in making
disciples?

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GOSPEL RHYTHMS
STORYFORMED — We understand, experience and intersect with God’s Story.
We will:
o Where is our CC at in terms of God’s Story? Do we know it?
o What should we commit to together so that we will be familiar with God’s Story?
o Do we know each other’s stories? The stories of those in our people group?
o How will we commit to move forward together in this?
.
LISTEN — We set aside regular times listen to God daily and we set aside specific times to do so
as a community (backwards & forwards).
We will:
o How will we commit to listening to God’s Word together (backwards)?
o What would it look like for us as a group and individuals to make listening to God a weekly
rhythm (forward)?
o What needs to be in place to help us with this?

CELEBRATE — We regularly gather together to celebrate God’s extravagant blessing.

We will:
o What can we gather to celebrate together this year?
o What will our gatherings together look like and how often?
o How will we be intentional about celebration together and around what?
o How will we engage in celebrating with the people group God is sending us to?

BLESS — We intentionally bless others through words, gifts or actions.

We will:
o How will you intentionally share what we have with each other and those in need?
o How will this get worked out in the context of our mission?
o How will this affect our giving – financially, physically, emotionally, etc...?
o What are some tangible ways we believe God has called our CC to bless others?
.
EAT — We regularly eat meals with others to invite them into the community of God.
We will:
o When and how often will we celebrate communion together?
o What meals will we share with each other?
o How will we invite others to the table with us? How often?
o Where should we go to engage in "gospel eating"? How often?

ReCREATE — We take time to rest, play, create and restore beauty to reflect God to others.
We will:
o What regular rhythms of ReCreating will we commit together to?
o What needs beautifying in our mission focus? Who should we work with to see it restored?
o How might we demonstrate God’s creative beauty and restorative intent?

As a follower of Jesus and child of God, I covenant with my Cultivate Community to live out the
gospel in these Identities & Rhythms.

__________________________________ _________________________________________ ____________________

Name Signature Date

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SAMPLE CC COVENANT
GOSPEL : I believe that God himself has come to
rescue sinners (including me) and renew all of
creation in and through the work of Jesus Christ. I
believe that I have been saved from the penalty of
sin, I am being saved from the power of sin and I
will be saved from the presence of sin. All this is a
gift of God. I believe that the purpose of being
saved is join God on his mission by making disciples
of Jesus.
GOSPEL IDENTITY: I believe that I have been
given a new identity in Christ because of the
gospel. I am now a part of God’s family of
missionary servants sent to make disciples who
make disciples. I am giving my life to this.
Missionaries— We live actively as missionaries
sent by Jesus to make disciples.
We believe we are sent to:
o People in Runnemede
o People connected with Barrington Coffee
House.
o We will identify specific people the Lord is
calling us to pray for and pursue and regularly
update each other.
o We will plan (proactive) and make the most of
(reactive) opportunities to invite unbelievers
into relationship/community with us.
Family — We are children of God who live and care
for each other as a family.
We will:
o Make sure we know each other’s stories and
regularly share how God is working in our lives.
o Develop a strategy to include/involve children in
discipleship (i.e. teach through the Story of God
for Kids or some “Bible story time” with the kids
as a part of our weekly gathering).
o Pray for one another, rejoice with one another,
mourn with one another, bear one another’s
burdens.
o Socialize with one another outside of our
regular weekly meeting: 1-2 contact points in a
week through a meal, drink, a date, phone,
etc…
o Identify home projects and work together on
them.
o Identify basic needs we each have and clarify
how we can help meet them for each other
(including regular space in our weekly meeting
to share needs)
o Each couple write down and share a list of
personal resources that can be shared/given
o Prepare and give meals to one another when
needed
o Take communion with each other
o Ensure everyone is in a DNA group (guys/gals)
o Value one another’s couple, family, and work
time, by identifying start and finish times for CC
meetings when appropriate
Servants — We are servants of God who serve
others as a way of life.
We are committed to serve by:
o Have regular times of discussion with our CC
Group about how we can serve those who we
are sent to.
o We will help build a deck at the Rochat's house.
o We will watch each other’s kids so we can have
o date nights.
o Identify needs in the neighborhood that we
could meet or assist with in the Spring one
Saturday a month.
o Serve the owners of Barrington Coffee House
by providing free labor for the Harvest Fest and
other key events.
Disciples/Learners — We take responsibility for
our own discipleship and the discipleship of others.
We will devote ourselves to:
o Equip Andrew & Johanna to launch a new CC,
Lord willing in 2014.
o Identify personal specific prayer needs at
gatherings.
o Identify personal discipleship growth needs and
develop a personal plan for everyone in our
core.
o Identify & utilize resources addressing: marriage
issues, financial stewardship, how to study the
Bible
o Go through the Storyformed Way twice, once
as a group, and once with friends/new people.
o Consider taking a retreat together.
o Read books together as a CC Group (i.e. A
Praying Life, Everyday Church, Gospel Primer,
etc).
o Develop a better understanding of the Holy
Spirit and practice listening to the Holy Spirit.
19
GOSPEL RHYTHMS:
RHYTHMS
Storyformed — We understand, experience and
intersect with God’s Story.
We will:
o Go through Storyformed Way together,
o Share our stories with each other and help one
another share the gospel through our stories.
o Hear stories of those we are building
relationship with.
Listen — We intentionally and actively listen to God
daily and we set aside specific times to do so as a
community.
We will:
o Set aside time to pray together in our weekly
meeting.
o Regularly attend Cultivate Sunday gathering to
hear preaching of God’s Word.
o Commit to personal time with the Lord in the
word and prayer.
o Consider utilizing the spiritual discipline of
journaling.
o Allow each individual in the CC Group to share
their thoughts and experiences.
o Read a passage from the Bible at all gatherings.
Celebrate — We regularly gather together to
celebrate God’s extravagant blessing.
We will:
o We will meet weekly for our CC family meeting
& connect relationally at least one other time in
the week (We will be mindful to share the
financial load/burden on host families).
o Come together for birthdays and special events.
(Make sure to have all birthdays, anniversaries,
graduations etc noted on a calendar).
o Utilize national holidays and local events to
enjoy parties with those we are reaching out to
(i.e. Harvest Fest, Easter, 4th of July, Super
Bowl, Halloween...), intentionally including non
believers to join us when we party.
o Gather with other CC’s to celebrate quarterly
o Host a BBQ once a week during the summer
Bless — We intentionally bless others through
words, gifts or actions.
We will:
o Regularly identify a person/group that we as a
CC would seek to tangibly bless (i.e. on a
monthly basis) in word, gift or action.
o Commit to regular, sacrificial giving to the
mission of the gospel through Cultivate.
o Be sensitive to the needs of those within our
community, as fellow family members. We will
be intentional in reaching out to entities or
individuals in our local community, as agreed
upon corporately in our CC.
20
Eat — We regularly eat meals with others to invite
them into the community of God.
We will:
o Take communion together at least monthly.
o Have dinner together with our “extended
family” on Sundays.
o Share meals on a regular basis (we will invite
others in to share meals with us monthly).
o Eat unto the Lord, taking time to pray and
thank the Lord before every meal.
ReCreate — We take time to rest, play, create and
restore beauty to reflect God to others.
We will:
o Plan seasonal retreats or excursions as a group
(ie take kids to the pool...).
o Acknowledge and thank God for His creation.
o Identify ways we can “play” together (i.e.
pool/volleyball, boating, summer activities....)
o Consider an out-of-town activity together (i.e.
concert, game, movie, play, shopping, etc...).
o Go camping at least once in the summer.
o Restore and maintain the abandoned house
next door on behalf of our neighborhood.
As a follower of Jesus and child of God, I
covenant with this Cultivate Community to live
out the gospel in these Identities & Rhythms
by God’s grace.
Signature(s): ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
THE ABC'S OF SUBURBAN MISSION
Ben Joyce
When you live in the suburbs–especially the wealthy suburbs–it can be hard to get started with
mission. The needs often aren’t as visible as they are in the city. They are hidden behind the
beautiful veneer of well-manicured hedges and plantation shutters. So trusting relationships are the
primary context for discovering needs that you can begin to meet. Unfortunately, those
relationships might not be centralized in a particular location, since the population in the suburbs is
more diffuse than in the city. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a community on mission together.
At Soma San Ramon Valley, we give our Cultivate communities a simple tool to help them begin
mission together when there isn’t a particular location or visible need around which they can
partner. We call it the ABC’S of Suburban Mission. There is nothing profound about it. But perhaps
its effectiveness is in its simplicity.
We ask each person in the group to identify three people in the surrounding community that God
has put on their heart, and then we ask them to take the following steps:

ASK GOD
It is important that we ask God to move in the hearts of others. Praying for people is one of the
most loving things we can do for them. It is also one of the most important. Jesus said, “No one
can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). We can ask God to draw
people to himself. Here are 10 simple prayers used by Neil Cole’s Life Transformation Groups that
you can pray for the people you have identified above.

o Lord, I pray that you draw _______ to Yourself. (John 6:44)

o Lord, I pray that _______ hear and believe the Word of God for what it really is. (1 Thess. 2:13)
o Lord, I pray that _______ seek to know You. (Acts 17:27)
o Lord, I ask You prevent Satan from blinding _______ to the truth. (2 Cor. 4:4, 2 Tim. 2:25-26)
o Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict _______ of his/her sin and need for Christ’s redemption. (John
16:7-14)
o Lord, I ask that you send someone who will share the gospel with _______. (Col. 4:3-6)
o Lord, I also ask that You give me the opportunity, the courage and the right words to share with
_______. (Col. 4:3-6)
o Lord, I pray that _______ turn from his/her sin and follow You. (Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thess. 1:9-10)
o Lord, I pray that _______ would put all of his/her trust in Christ. (John 1:12; 5:24)
o Lord, I pray that _______ confess Christ as Lord, take root and grow in faith and bear fruit for
your glory. (Rom. 10:9-10; Col. 2:6-7; Luke 8:15)

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BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Building a relationship with someone is the best way to discover how to care for them personally.
And building a relationship can be fun! Go for hikes, throw a party, visit the farmer’s market, toss
the football. Find something you like to do and do it together. As you build a relationship you can
discover tangible ways you can love that person as an expression of God’s love for them. What are
some simple ways you can strengthen your relationship with the three people God has put on your
heart?

CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY

Experiencing Christian community is an important part of helping people get a clearer picture of
who Jesus is. Each Christian has different gifts from the Holy Spirit and God uses them all. One
person may have the gift of hospitality, so they tangibly demonstrate the gracious welcome of God
through how they welcome people into their home. But they may not feel particularly gifted at
talking about Jesus. That’s okay, someone else in their Cultivate community may frequently talk
about Jesus. If a person spends time with this Cultivate community they will both experience God’s
gracious welcome through the person with the gift of hospitality and hear about God’s gracious
welcome through the person with the gift of evangelism. How can you create opportunities for the
people you have identified to get connected with your Cultivate community?

SHOW AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST

As we ask God to draw people to himself, build relationships, and connect people with our Cultivate
community, opportunities will arise to show and share the good news of Jesus. We show people
that Jesus is good news primarily by serving them and meeting their needs, just as God has
graciously served us and met our needs through Jesus. Serving others is a tangible way to express
God’s love to others. But there are other ways. Just ask yourself, what has God one for me that I
can do for others? When we forgive because God forgives us, cancel debts because God has
canceled ours, come to someone’s rescue because God came to ours, we are showing that God is
good news.
As you show that God is good news by your actions, don’t be surprised when you have
opportunities to share his good news with words. People’s greatest need is to be forgiven of their
sin, reconciled to God, and become his child forever and ever. That happens by hearing and
believing the good news about Jesus. So it is important that we both show and share the good
news of Jesus, as God gives us opportunities.
Keep suburban mission simple by starting with the ABC’S. You don’t have to move to the city or
board a plane to Africa to start blessing others and honoring Jesus. Together, find small ways to
help one another Ask God, Build Relationships, Connect with Community, and Share and Show the
Good News of Jesus.

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ENGAGING IN STORY
What is a person’s/culture’s dominant story-line? God’s “Story” is the real/true ultimate story-line of
all creation/history. Because of the fall, all people and all cultures live out a distorted/incomplete
version of the “Story”.

Therefore, every person has these (4) parts in their story...

CREATION FALL REDEMPTION RESTORATIO

In order to faithfully proclaim the good news of God’s redemptive mission/plan to one day restore
all things through the work of Jesus on the Cross, we need to learn to listen for the “story” of those
around us, those God is sending us to.

Below is a starting place of some questions to use to help learn people’s story, in order to be able
to engage them with the Gospel, the good news of God’s Story! You can start by trying them on
yourself, seeing how the Gospel has transformed your own story.

CREATION - Everyone has a fundamental belief about their origin, who they are and why.
o How did you get here? Where did you come from?
o What has made you who you are today?
o Where do you find your sense of purpose and identity?
o Is there a god? What is God like?

Key Question: Who/What do you credit for who you are?

FALL - Everyone has a belief about the cause of brokenness in the world and has some desire for
a form of “justice” in the world...something/someone is to blame.
o What’s wrong with the world/your world?
o What’s not as it should be? And why?
o Who or what’s to blame for the way things are?
o Where does your personal sense for justice come from? Where is it directed?
o What’s the cause of the brokenness (personally, socially, globally)?

Key Question: Why are things not the way they are supposed to be & who is to blame?

REDEMPTION - Everyone has a solution they believe in, a remedy or savior (needed reform, plan,
philosophy, self-improvement, etc)...they look to redeem the brokenness in their life or the world.
o What’s the solution to the problem(s) in the world/your world? [Listen for functional saviors]
o What needs to happen? How could it happen?
o Who could fix it?
o What do you hope happens?
o If you could convince everyone to know/do/believe/become something different, what would
it be?

Key Question: Who/what will rescue me and redeem what is broken?

23
RESTORATION - Everyone has a picture of the future, wants something better, hopes for the
restoration of what they believe their life/the world should be like.
o What would the world be like if things were fixed/better?
o What would your role be in that world?
o Why does “fixing”/redeeming the brokenness/problem matter?
o Where’s life/the world heading?
o Who should be credited/thanked/honored (in the world if things were fixed/better)?

Key Question: What will the world/your world look like when all is as it should be and who or what
will be the focus of this world?

ENGAGING OTHERS THROUGH

THROUGH UNDERSTANDING THEIR STORY
1.LISTEN
LISTEN to understand their dominant story-line

2.Find COMMON GROUND between their story and a part of “The Story”. (Usually
its “the fall”. ex. - environmentalism: humanity is the problem...)

3.Graciously CONFRONT & CORRECT the inconsistencies between their story

and “The Story”. (Eventually, it is imperative to help them see, usually through a series of good
questions, how their story falls short of what they hope for, or how they are unable or unwilling to
live out the implications of their story.)

4.Look for opportunities to show how “The Story” COMPLETES their story.
(As we share The Story with them it speaks good news and often leaves a person wanting The
Story to be true as they see how it corrects and completes their story by answering the deep
longings they are looking elsewhere to fulfill.)

24
HOW TO LEAD GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS
JONATHAN DODSON

Have you ever sat in a group discussion and found it incredibly difficult to get a good conversation
going? I've found it can be very challenging to move conversations along, especially when you're
trying to go deep and get to the gospel. Here are a few principles that might help.

LISTEN TO THEIR STORY

In order to promote good gospel conversations in small group gatherings, it is important that
everyone listens to one another's story well. Don't check out, criticize, or think about your own.

Listen to their story. In order to do this, everyone must ask questions of one another, learn one
another’s stories over and over again. Our lives are continually changed through conflict, challenges,
promotions, relationships, and new experiences. Without asking good questions of one another, we
can’t really share in deep community. Good questions help uncover the truth about how people are
really doing and open the opportunity to share life and truth together. Ask questions and genuinely
listen to one another's stories.

ASK GOOD QUESTIONS

o What questions can you use to invite them to share their life?
Listen in order to Speak Gospel Encouragement
‣ Can you elaborate on that?
‣ How did that happen?
‣ How does that make you feel?
‣ Did you feel alone or supported?
‣ Were you afraid or confident?
‣ How did you respond?
‣ How are you feeling now?
‣ What concerns you the most about this?

o What grace can you affirm in their life?

‣ That’s a really helpful insight.
‣ It’s been so challenging to hear you talk about your neighbor

o What victory can you celebrate?

‣ We’ve seen God answer your prayer for less people pleasing
‣ Isn’t it awesome how God provided this job for you?

o What progress have you seen in their faith?

‣ You are fighting depression really well
‣ I’ve really seen you grow in this area

o What are some ways you do this?

25
MOVE THE CONVERSATION ALONG DELIBERATELY
o Develop Sermon Discussion Questions:
Questions Progress from 1) anyone can answer to 2) a
challenge 3) the deeper heart idol or lie 4) what needs to change 5) How the Bible shows us
we can change.

Lead discussions by trying to guide people roughly through this progression.

o Ask Transitional Questions:

‣ Follow up off-base or incorrect comments with “What do you guys think?”
‣ Anyone else relate to or struggle with that?
‣ Tom, we haven’t heard from you, what do you think?
‣ Nate, can you hold onto that comment so we can hear from someone else who hasn’t
shared tonight?
‣ Allow silence…
‣ What are some ways you do this?

http://www.gcmcollective.com/gcm-collective/how-to-lead-gospel-conversations/

26
TIPS FOR LEADING DNA GROUP
A SAMPLE WEEKLY MEETING
(Modify it depending on your timeframe, we suggest 60-90min)
1. [10min] GREET one another, share briefly any highlights/major happenings from the week. (Be
careful not to let this time get away from you.)
2. [5min] PRAY,
PRAY thanking God for the good news of the gospel and the sufficiency of His Word.
Ask the Spirit to guide and bless the time.
3. [40min] DISCUSS Sermon & Text, or, SHARE life story/testimony

DISCUSS:
DISCUSS Text/Sermon Discussion (OR)
Read the text
Review sermon discussion guide (if any)
Work through questions about the text:
1. What it tell us about who God is?
2. What does it tell us about what
God has done?
3. What does it inform us about who we are
now because of God's work?
4. What does it tell us we get to do because of
the work of God and our new identity?
Review your personal takeaways:
1. What actions do you need to take this week?
2. Who do you need to tell about what you're
learning?
SHARE:
SHARE Someone Tells Story/Testimony
Plan ahead (see Tips for Sharing Story)
Listen actively
Allow time/space for follow up questions
What is God currently teaching you
about Himself as you reflect on your story?
Where is the greatest need for growth
we could pray for with you?
Pray for them, thanking God for His
work of redemption and growth to come

4. [5min] PRAY:
PRAY Ask God for His grace & power to walk in faith, obeying from the heart

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DNA

1. Be faithful & punctual
2. Be honest (in the gospel we’re freed from the need to pretend or perform)
3. Get in the text
4. Listen actively & carefully to each other (guard against thinking just of what you want to
share/say next)
5. Work to keep the conversation on track with the big ideas of the text/sermon
6. Be open to the leading of the Spirit
7. Commit to pray for each other during the week and touch base as your able (text, checking in,
how did that meeting go?, anything coming up I can be praying about?)
8. Begin and end each session in prayer, giving God glory and affirming God’s grace & power to
change us, not our will-power or works
9. Help each other not just “know” more, but “obey” more
10. Gospel, Gospel, Gospel (see DNA Group explanation)

27
QUESTIONS TO ASK OF THE TEXT, SERMON, & ONE ANOTHER
EACH WEEK
1. Review sermon notes. What impacted you most from the text/sermon? What did you learn?
What has stuck with you? Where is the Spirit convicting you?

2. In this particular text, who is God and what has He done (Father/Son/Spirit)?

3. How does this text reveal or connect to the person and work of Jesus on our behalf
(life/death/resurrection)?

4. What does this text reveal about the sin of man? What idols of the heart does this
text/sermon reveal? How have you and how do you see these sins/idols at work in your life?

5. How has the gospel saved you and how is the gospel saving you from these sins? What are
you not believing about the gospel to be true, in order for that sin to have power in your life?
What lies are at the root of that sin?

6. What needs to change in your life as a result of this text and this sermon?

7. Who else do you need to share this with? How might you bless/serve others with these
truths/insights?

Lastly, keep these two questions in mind as you talk, share, and learn together:
o How does God want to change my heart in this time?
o How would I teach what I’m learning to someone else?

28
CC WARNING SIGNS
The most common roadblocks & obstacles; How do you avoid burning out?; What are the top 5 warning signs I’m out of step with
the Spirit/gospel?

I. “ROADBLOCKS” via Jeff Vanderstelt (1/14/12)

1. We treasure something more than Jesus.
2. We don’t explain the cost, the suffering, the sacrifice.
3. People don’t talk about Jesus.
4. People are not trained/aware of spiritual warfare. (flesh/world/devil)
5. Lack of clarity/focus on mission (Who are we trying to reach? How are we going to reach
them?)
6. Fall into a “weekly meeting” mindset
7. Fall into a “bible study” mindset
8. The CC Leaders are always the ones hosting, providing food, etc...
9. Lack of Coaching structure
10. Lack of clearly identified Apprentices

II. AVOIDING BURNOUT

1. Hebrews 11:27; Acts 20:28; John 15; Psalm 23
2. Rhythm of Renewal (practicing 4 G’s, working-resting; resting-working; D/W/M/Y)
3. “Working on your life/ministry, not just in it” - Intentional planning, discipline, leadership
4. Coaching, (evaluation, resources, counsel, support, someone you can talk to...)
5. Always Learning, Submitted to Wise Counsel
6. Cultivating eyes for Evidences of Grace
7. Practice-practice-celebrate-refine (training, doing, evaluate, revise)

III. LEADERS: HOW DO YOU KNOW IF/WHEN YOU’RE BELIEVING

THE GOSPEL? What are the heart-level indicators that you are walking in faith in the
gospel? What are the indicators you’re not? (unbelief vs. active faith)
1. Duty vs. Privilege
2. Critical vs. Gracious
3. Frustrated vs. Grateful
4. Short vs. Patient
5. Fearful of others vs. Confident to speak the truth in love
6. Controlling vs. Empowering
7. Hurried vs. Contented
8. Defensive vs. Teachable
9. Lazy vs. Productive
10. Why me? vs. What can I do to help?
11. Rolling the Eyes vs. Nodding the Head
12. Hopeless vs. Hopeful

29
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST STRUGGLES A NEW CULTIVATE
COMMUNITY LEADER MIGHT FACE?
1. Their own sin & lack of love for Jesus & people
2. Learning to facilitate gospel-centered conversations/discussions (i.e. growing in “gospel
fluency”)
3. Relational conflict (usually after the initial honeymoon phase)
4. Trying or expecting to do everything at once
5. Poorly defined Mission and/or discouragement over slow progress with Mission
6. Tendency to define CC life by “meetings”
7. Differences in parenting philosophy/approach
8. Getting everyone in consistent, regular Rhythm (DNA’s, gatherings...)
9. Exhaustion
10. Not knowing what to do next
11. Learning to deal biblically with conflict/confronting

30
CC LEADER PERSONAL EVAL
Please discuss any of these areas that you need help in with your coach/elder.

o Prayerfully read through 1 Timothy 3. How am I doing at growing in these areas?

o Is my love for the Word growing? Do I increasingly desire to spend time in the Word and do I find
myself drawing wisdom and strength from the Word daily?

o Am I growing in the awareness of my own sinfulness and need for grace?

o Am I growing in my ability to clearly articulate the gospel in any setting?

o Am I protecting the "eye gate"? Am I actively fighting lust? Particularly in not viewing pornography?
o Am I trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen me in leading my CC?
Or am I doing it in the flesh and feeling burned out?
o Do I feel joy, excitement, confidence, awe and gratitude when I talk/think about Jesus?
o Do I live with a confidence that:" God is great – So I do not have to be in control""
Indicators that I may not be believing this:

I am over-bearing

I am inflexible or risk averse

I am impatient with people

I avoid responsibility

o Do I live with a confidence that: God is glorious – So I do not have to fear others"""
Indicators that I may not be believing this:

I avoid confrontation

I often crave approval

I behave differently around certain people

I pretend or hide my true self

o Do I live with a confidence that: God is good – So I do not have to look elsewhere
Indicators that I may not be believing this:

I sometimes feel ministry is a burden

I often complain

I make people feel a burden of duty

I don’t stick at things and complete projects or tasks

o Do I live with a confidence that: God is gracious – So I do not have to prove myself
Indicators that I may not be believing this:

I take criticism and failure badly

I find it hard to relax

I am proud or envy the success of others

I make people feel guilty

o If married:

Have you been having regular date nights with your wife?

How are you doing at leading your wife (and kids) spiritually?

Are you closer and more intimate with your wife now than you were 6 months ago?

o Am I functioning and serving joyfully under authority?

o Am I functioning and serving sacrificially in authority as a servant of Jesus and others?
o Am I giving consistently and generously to the work of God’s mission through the Church?
o Am I stewarding well God’s resources entrusted to me and am I viewing all things as from Him and
for His purposes? (i.e. time, income, home, cars, tools, etc.)
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SAMPLE CC IDEAS
Here’s a list of missional ideas for the Fall (how would you develop similar ideas for each season?)

FALL/HARVEST
1. Plan a “harvest party”, get a cider press/cider making party
2. Bon Fire!
3. Organize a Fall hike, include some not-yet-Christian friends
4. Yard Work Tour! Pitch in on Fall clean-up or Winterization together, involve/serve your
neighbors (ex. If you’re taking a load to the dump, make some extra room and ask your
neighbors if you can take something for them)

SPORTS
5. Host a tailgate BBQ on a Friday night and attend a local HS football game together
6. Invite neighbors over to watch a football game (Sunday afternoon or night & Monday night
football) Be creative with appetizers, etc!
7. Organize a group “date night” at a local eatery to take in a game (Sun./Mon. Night)
8. Tailgate for your own kids sports events or attend a neighbors kids event (soccer, football, etc).
Get together with other parents to provide weekly dinners.
9. Pitch in to provide a UFC Fight night, invite not-yet-Christian friends

HALLOWEEN
10. Do something fun, in the front yard. Invite neighbors, give away good candy, provide hot
chocolate, chili, hot dogs, s'mores, fire pits to stand around & visit. Organize a block party,
costume parade - be creative! Take advantage of the cultural opportunity to meet and bless
neighbors.
11. Costume Party with fun door prizes

COMMUNITY EVENTS
12. Find out what's happening in your town and show up to participate. Better yet, contact the
organizers of the event and ask how you can come help!

LADIES, MOM’S & LITTLE ONES

13. Play dates in a Park
14. Moms & Kids “Field Trip” to a local museum
15. Host a “Ladies of the Vine” evening, wine, cheeses, etc.

MISC
16. Invite neighbors to the Sunday Gathering
17. Invite neighbors to a Christmas Party
18. Host a dessert night
19. Take evening walks around the block, pray for your neighbors/neighborhood, stop and talk with
people that are on your route
20. Invite friends with dogs to go to the local dog park together.

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25 SIMPLE WAYS TO BE MISSIONAL
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Josh Reeves

I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me.
Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The
hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:

- In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people

- Prayerfully watching and listening to the Holy Spirit to discern where God is working.

- Looking to boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.

Below is a list of my top 25. The full list of 100 is available to download here. Not all of these are
for everyone, but hopefully there will be several ideas on the list that God uses to help you engage
your neighbors. Would love to hear stories of how you have lived some of these out or other ways
you have engaged your neighbors.

1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard
2. Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood
3. Sit on the front porch and letting kids play in the front yard
4. Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)
5. Invite neighbors over for dinner
6. Attend and participate in HOA functions
7. Attend the parties invited to by neighbors
8. Do a food drive or coat drive in winter and get neighbors involved
9. Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)
10. Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors
11. Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors
12. Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards
13. Start a weekly open meal night in your home
14. Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute
15. Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety
16. Host a sports game watching party
17. Host a coffee and dessert night
18. Organize and host a ladies artistic creation night
19. Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch)
20. Host a movie night and discussion afterwards
21. Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood
22. Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents
23. Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas
24. Volunteer to coach a local little league sports team
25. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer

Do you have some other ideas or ways that you or your Cultivate Community have engaged your
neighborhood?

Missional Tip: Pick one of these ideas and act on it this week.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
THE BIBLE - by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

For CC Principles:
o Gospel DNA (18-wk DNA material) - See your CC Leader or Jay for copies
o The Storyformed Way (10-wk overview of the Story of God) **Required
o The Story of God Training (prep for leading Storyformed Way)
o The Gospel-Centered Life (9-wk study)
o Everyday Church (book, Foundational principles) **Required
o The Prodigal God by Tim Keller (Luke 15, gospel)
o 4 G’s (found in Gospel DNA material, CC Leader Personal Evaluation)
o A Meal with Jesus, Tim Chester

For Gospel-
Gospel-Centered Development & Growth:
o Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (Paul Tripp) **Required
o You Can Change (Tim Chester)
o How People Change (Land/Tripp)
o Redemption (Mike Wilkerson)
o Rid of My Disgrace (Justin Holcomb)

For Marriage:
Marriage:
o Real Marriage (Mark & Grace Driscoll)
o When Sinners Say “I Do” (Harvey)
o The Meaning of Marriage (Tim Keller)
o Sex, Romance, & the Glory of God (C.J. Mahaney)
o God, Marriage, Family: Rebuilding the Foundation (Kostenburger)
o “From This Day Forward” (series - http://www.Cultivatenj.com/resources)
o What’s the Difference? (John Piper)

For Parenting:
Parenting:
o Getting to the Heart of Parenting (DVD series), Paul Tripp
o Gospel Centered Family (Tim Chester)
o Gospel-Powered Parenting, Farley
o Grace Based Parenting (Tim Kimmel)
o Age of Opportunity (for teen years), Paul Tripp
o Shepherding Your Child’s Heart (Tedd Tripp)
o Vanderstelt “Gospel Fluency” for parents, Soma Communities website

For Finances:
Finances:
o Treasure Principle (Randy Alcorn)
o Money, Eternity, Possessions (Randy Alcorn)
o Money: God or Gift? (Jamie Munson)
o Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey)
o Personal finance coaching (available on request)

For Bible Interpretation

o Read the Bible for a Change (Ray Lubeck)
o How to Read the Bible for All its Worth (Gordon Fee)
o According to Plan (Graeme Goldsworthy)
o Drama of Scripture (Craig Bartholomew & Michael Goheen)
o Gospel Fluency, Vanderstelt (Using the 4 questions)
o The Storyformed Way (understanding the biblical narrative story-arch)
34
Misc.
o Humility (C.J. Mahaney)
o Counterfeit Gods (Tim Keller)
o Explicit Gospel (Matt Chandler)
o The Making of a Leader (Robert Clinton)
o Spiritual Leadership (J. Oswald Sanders)

STUDIES:
Gospel DNA - Soma/Tim Chester (18 weeks)
The Storyformed Way - Soma (10 weeks)
The Gospel-Centered Life - Thune & Walker (9 weeks)
Gospel In Life - Keller (8 weeks)
The Story of God for kids (22 weeks)

ONLINE RESOURCES & RECOMMENDED LINKS:

www.cultivatenj.com - Sermons, MLT Training audio

www.gcmcollective.com - GCM Collective, resources, networking, etc

www.vergenetwork.com - Verge Network & Conference, videos, etc

http://theresurgence.com/ - Resurgence, blog, resources from Mars Hill Church

How to Lead Gospel Conversations

http://www.gcmcollective.com/gcm-collective/how-to-lead-gospel-conversations/

Chester - 10 Ways to Be Missional (without adding to your schedule)

http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/10/04/tim-chester-10-simple-ways-to-be-missional/

25 Ways to be missional in your neighborhood

http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/08/23/25-simple-ways-to-be-missional-in-your-neighborhood/

How is Missional Community different from a bible study? Jeff V.

http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/02/08/how-is-a-missional-community-different-from-a-
printable/

Top Posts from Verge Network in 2011

http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/12/29/top-10-most-viewed-posts-in-2011/
Verge Network Videos
http://www.vergenetwork.org/category/resources/videos/

TRAINING CLASSES/EVENTS:
Soma School - http://tacoma.somacommunities.org/learners/soma-school/
South Jersey GCM Collective Events - http://southjerseygcm.wordpress.com/

ADDITIONAL MISSIONAL RESOURCES:

o Mike Breen - 3DM
o Hugh Halter - Adullam - The Tangible Kingdom Primer (8 weeks)
o Missio.us
o Alan Hirsch (books)
o Francis Chan & David Platt - multiplymovement.com; radical.net
o Neil Cole (books)
35
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
As Christians, our identity and purpose are bound up in that one word, “gospel.” We are called to
live “gospel-centered” lives. But that can become an empty, meaningless phrase we throw around
without giving careful thought to answering the question “what is the gospel?” and “what would it
mean to center all of my life around its implications?”

We know that the gospel is “good news”...but what is the content of that message that makes it
so? What are the irreducible minimums of what must be believed in order to be saved? Can one be
saved without knowing every facet of what must be believed for the gospel to be true? What are
those gospel “bricks” that, were we to pull out, would cause the entire wall to collapse? How do we
daily appropriate and apply the truths of the gospel to fighting sin and building faith?

The need to know the gospel comes not from wanting to fill our head with certain doctrinal
definitions, but rather so that we might grow in grace, fight sin, reject moralism, and confront duty-
driven “Christianity” with the faith-building truth of justification by faith alone. That doctrine must
radically shape our every thought and relationship if we are to be Christian. But how is that so?

The gospel is a 3-tense reality...the truth that we were saved, are saved, and will be saved. But do
we think about the implications of that reality in the every-day of life? That there is not a week, a
day, or an hour where we do not need the gospel power to sustain us? That there is not a sin or
habit or addiction that can be conquered without the gospel? Far from abstract theology,
understanding and living out the gospel is right at the center of what it means to be a Christian.
Repentance and faith are not one-time events in the life of the Christian but rather daily activities
that keep us abiding and growing in Christ.

SO, WHAT IS IT?

The gospel is the good news that God the Father came to rescue fallen mankind through
repentance of sin and faith in the life, death, and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ, for the
creation’s good and His glory as He brings about the eventual renewal of all creation through the
power of His Spirit.

Now, that’s a mouthful. Immediate questions should begin to rise. Who is God? Why does creation
(including me) need rescuing? Who is Jesus? What did he do on our behalf? How did that effect a
rescue? How could it be on my behalf if it’s for God’s glory? How does death produce life? What is
“fallen”? How did that happen? What is sin? How is all of creation being rescued because one man
dies on a cross two millennia ago?

These and many more questions force us to think hard when answering the simple question, “What
is the gospel?” We want to be clear and accurate both in our understanding and articulation of the
gospel. If we are not, we will fail to understand how to work it out in all of life! And if we cannot
work it out and apply it to our own life, how will we share it’s power and purpose with anyone else?

In looking into the Word of God for our understanding of the gospel, we realize there are two ways
to read...we can read the Bible across the grain (thematically) and we can read it with the grain (as
a story). Both are essential in helping us think more clearly about the gospel. The following is a
short primer on a two-fold view of the gospel.
36
I. UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL POWER THEMATICALLY
The power of the Gospel is the means through which God brings about salvation

GOD MAN CHRIST FAITH

GOD — Holy, righteous, just, good, infinite, eternal, all powerful, creator of everything.

MAN — Sinful, fallen, enslaved, broken, captive, finite, limited, and dead, having chosen self-
rule over submission in relationship to God; the penalty for the sin of idolatry and
unbelief is eternal death.

CHRIST — God’s only Son incarnates as a now killable human being, to die as a substitute for the
penalty of humanity’s sins.

FAITH — The Gospel calls for a response. The gospel invitation comes in the form of a
command, “Repent and believe!” By faith in what Jesus did, not by any effort of our
own, we are forgiven and saved from the consequences of our sins.

The means of this saving power is found in the work of God through Christ. God created life and all
things good. Man sinned and incurred the consequence of death. Sin turned the story inside out,
putting man at the center rather than God, and we never recovered.

Man as a result lived under the dominion of sin, living for the fame and glory of self, not God. God
came in Christ to break the curse by absorbing the wrath of Sin in His own body. Therefore, in Christ
we have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from it’s affects on us, and we will
be saved from its eternal consequences because of God’s power, not our own.1

Luther said that the first commandment is the gospel – in other words, “You shall have no other
gods before me” is the same as, “You shall have no other justification for your life, your
righteousness, your significance, your security etc.... other than me.” From beginning to end,
salvation belongs to the Lord. It is by His power, for our good, to magnify His glory.

Therefore, the gospel helps us understand that...

I am more broken and sinful than I ever dared believe, and at the same time more loved and
accepted than I ever dared hope, because of Jesus.2

1
Soma Communities, “What is the Gospel?”
2
Keller, Tim. The Centrality of the Gospel. Retrieved 10/1/2009 from http://bit.ly/keller-cg
37
II. UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL PURPOSE IN GOD’S EPIC STORY
The purpose of the gospel gives us the reason for God’s work of Salvation

CREATION FALL REDEMPTION RESTORATIO

Because of the fall, relationship with God was lost and creation was subject to the fall. All creation
groans to be set free from the devastating effects of sin. In the gospel, relationship with God is
restored, and eventually, the whole world will be renewed...death, decay, injustice, sin, betrayal,
and suffering will be done away with. All things, in all of creation, will be made new. The curse will
be lifted, and all of creation, for the rest of time, will sing the praises of their Rescuer and
Redeemer!

But how does this happen? How is the power of God’s gospel applied to the fall of mankind? Jesus
helped clarify how we accomplish the purpose of the gospel by giving us his mission: “Go and make
disciples” (Matthew 28:19).4 As the arts, industry, politics, families—all areas of culture—are being
filled with Jesus! disciples living forgiven lives, displaying the beauty of being under the reign of King
Jesus, and bringing about his gospel work of restoration around them, the earth is being filled with
his glory! That is the point of the restoration of all things—that God would be glorified.

This act of redemption is holistic in that it includes all races, all nations, and all of creation. No one
and nothing will be left out of God’s redemptive act. And this redemptive culmination will find it’s
apex in the return of Jesus Christ.

As the Lamb of God he will draw all of the goods, artifacts, and instruments of
culture to himself; the kings of the earth will return their authority and power to
the Lamb who sits upon the throne; Jesus is the one whose blood has purchased
a multi-national community, composed of people from every tribe and tongue
and nation. His redemptive ministry...is cosmic in scope.3

Therefore, 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.

WE NEED BOTH GOSPEL PERSPECTIVES

Current conversations among some evangelicals would divide these two perspectives on the gospel
and make them mutually exclusive. While we do see the value of maintaining clear distinctions
between the power and purpose of the gospel, we do not see these two perspectives as mutually
exclusive. We see one (power) being the means by which the other is accomplished. We must
know the Gospel power thematically (God/Man/Christ/Response) and the Gospel purpose in story
form (Creation/Fall/ Redemption/Restoration) to fully comprehend the cosmic scope of God’s work
of redemption accomplished at the cross.

3 Richard Mouw, When the King Comes Marching In

38
If we focus only on the Gospel power, but do not connect it to the Gospel purpose (The storyline of
the Gospel – where it is going and what God is doing through the Church), we will tend toward a
ministry that is only about saving individuals from hell but disconnected from the greater story of
God’s glory in redeeming all of creation. In this case, we will tend to make the gospel man-centered
because it’s ALL ABOUT US.

If we only focus on the Gospel purpose, disconnected from the power of how the purpose is
accomplished (the work of God in Jesus Christ), we will push for Kingdom ethics without the King’s
power. We will have a “form of godliness, but deny it’s power.” Living in the Kingdom of God will
look like performing good works and acts of service and fighting for social justice. We will believe
it’s up to us to change the world AND we become more acceptable and significant to God by doing
more. In this case, the mission of the Gospel is now DEPENDENT UPON US.

Both perspectives, without the other, become more about us than about the King and the mission
of God He was sent to accomplish. The first errors because it is too short-sighted; the latter errors
because it attempts to bring about a kingdom that has no king.

The gospel is much more than simply an individualistic ticket for escaping hell, and it is much more
than social justice. The gospel is the work of cosmic redemption planned by God the Creator,
accomplished through God the Son, applied by God the Spirit, and spread through God’s people, the
Church, to bring about the final consummation of the renewal and re-creation of all things.

THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH

The people of God (the Church) then become an alternative city within a city to display, as a
foretaste, what the eternal city will be like.4 God, in Jesus Christ, has given us both the MESSAGE of
reconciliation (gospel power) and the MINISTRY of reconciliation (gospel purpose).

Understanding the gospel in light of it’s power and purpose saves us from either error, and helps us
understand the role of the new society the gospel creates, namely, the Church! In the gospel, we
live in the freeing and compelling reality that we have been saved by God’s Son, to God’s people,
for God’s mission. The gospel does not save us to isolationism or independence. Just the opposite,
the gospel saves us into a family of missionary servants on mission for their Heavenly Father. This
understanding of the Gospel informs then our definition of the Church:

The Church is God’s People (who we are), saved by God’s Power (what He’s done), for God’s
Purposes (what He’s called us to do).5

4 Jeremiah 29; Matthew 5:3-16; Luke 6:20-36; 1 Peter 2:9-12

5 Soma School notes, 2
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GCM COLLECTIVE DISTINCTIVES
WWW.GCMCOLLECTIVE.COM
WWW.GCMCOLLECTIVE.COM
Gospel communities living on mission is the primary organizing structure of the church

THE GOSPEL IS CENTRAL TO EVERYTHING

The gospel is not simply the means by which we are converted–it is the good news of redemption through
Jesus Christ that reconciles us to God and adopts us into his family. It transforms our hearts, shapes our
ethics, pastors our souls and changes our behavior. It creates the Christian community and defines its
purpose. The gospel is the word we speak to bring unbelievers to faith and to bring believers to maturity.
The Christian community is created by the gospel for the gospel.

COMMUNITY IS THE PRIMARY APOLOGETIC FOR THE GOSPEL

Because the Christian community is created by the gospel it is the place where the gospel can be seen and
understood. The reign of God is a reign of life, justice, peace, blessing and freedom. But the good news that
God is king is not heard as good news by a world that has chosen self-rule. The people of God therefore are
to so live under the reign of God that the world sees that God is good and his reign is good news. We
explain and commend the gospel through our lives and especially through our life together in Christian
community.

COMMUNITY IS MISSIONAL AND MISSION IS COMMUNAL

The Christian community is created by the gospel for the gospel. So its defining purpose is to glorify Christ by
proclaiming and demonstrating the gospel to a needy world. Christian community cannot be introspective. It
is always seeking to bless its neighborhood and proclaim Christ to a lost world. Because the Christian
community is an apologetic of the gospel, mission should normally not be a lone activity. Wherever possible
we want to do mission together and introduce unbelievers to the Christian community.

WE SHARE OUR LIVES AS EXTENDED FAMILY

FAMILY
The church is the community created by the gospel, so Christians are not individuals who gather for
meetings, but members of God’s family. Our identity is communal. We make decisions with regard to the
implications for the church, and we make significant decisions in consultation with the church. We should
share our lives together as a family. We spend time with one another, care for one another, exhort one
another with the gospel, pray with one another and take the initiative to resolve conflict, all the time inviting
unbelievers to participate in this common life. In a broken world we offer a place of belonging. Church life is
family life.

ALL BELIEVERS EXERCISE GOSPEL MINISTRY

Mission should be communal. Gospel ministry is not the preserve of a professional elite or people in full-time
ministry. It belongs to all God’s people. We are all given the privilege and responsibility of mission. We are all
missionaries. We are not all called to be the same–our different gifts and personalities complement one
another as we share together in the exciting privilege of mission. We need one another. The role of leaders
is not to do gospel ministry on behalf of others, but to prepare God’s people for gospel ministry.

DISCIPLESHIP, SHEPHERDING & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOP MENT HAPPENS IN COMMUNITY ON
MISSION
The Christian community is the primary, God-given context for pastoral care and leadership development. In
the Christian community the gospel not only informs the head, but also transforms the heart. The gospel is
not only learned, but also lived. We learn about gospel ministry by doing gospel ministry. The idols of our
hearts are revealed not in a therapist’s office, nor in a classroom, but in the context of shared lives. And in
the context of a shared life we daily apply the gospel to one another’s hearts and lives.

THE GOAL OF TEACHING AND PREACHING IS GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION THAT EQUIPS FOR
MINISTRY
Good Bible teaching and preaching should capture and recapture our affections for Christ. Our goal is not
simply to have good Bible teaching, but for the Bible to shape people’s hearts and lives. We want to be
doers of the word as well as hearers of the word. The frontline of gospel ministry is not a sermon when the
church gathers; it is the lives and words of the people of God throughout the week. Bible teaching, when the
church gathers together matters, but it matters because it prepares God’s people for frontline gospel ministry
throughout the week. This is to be the goal and measure of our teaching and preaching.
40