Gathered Around Jesus

Gathered: The discipline of becoming a discipler. One of the aspects of our faith that is of vital importance is learning. We need to be in environments where we are learning and growing in Christ's likeness. We gather with others to learn and to grow.

Throughout the book of Acts we find a rhythm of gathering in and going out | of believers coming together into a community, and then being sent out in mission. Part of what it means to be a gathered community is that we are also a sending community | and while only some go far off to do mission, sending is a whole community effort where everybody gets to play.

When we gather together we find that we become generous people for the sake of the body of Christ. We give to meet needs. And when we do, God makes us into a sign of what God's kingdom is like.

Gathered: What happens when we pray? Life is full of challenges and setbacks. When we gather in prayer and raise a unified voice, we find that we are not only encouraged and strengthened, but that God also moves mountains and opens doors.

Gathered: Logistics and life-changing ministry. When we gather together we find ourselves called to lead and solving problems for the sake of those in need, both in the church and in the community.

Gathered: Why we gather around Jesus. There are so many things that we can gather around, so many things that we could define our lives around. Why should we take this moment to redefine our lives around Jesus and his kingdom? What is the value of that verses all of the other options available to us? There's a cost to gathering but there's also a cost to not gathering. People's lives with Jesus are falling apart. Another emphasis: is to talk about why we gather as communities.