I am excited to share this draft of a working model that we who make up Ecclesia have put together. This is a result of the weekly meetings that have been going on for the past two+ months.
Ultimate Purpose
Ecclesia Denver is an urban community, living the way of Jesus
[through]
Mission. Restoration. Interdependence. Liturgy. Transformation.
Aims
Mission: We want to advance the kingdom of God through relationally influencing people to the way of Christ.
Restoration:We are responding to God’s call to redeem the world from effects of the fall, setting to rights what God intended to be.
Interdependence: We are committed to living among one another in intentional community.
Liturgy: We gather to enter together into God’s story, with humility and honesty. In giving God His due worth, we express our corporate continuity with people of God.
Transformation: We are committed to the process of being formed in the image of Christ, individually and collectively.
Methods & Strategies
Mission
• Create missional communities for people to live incarnationally in their neighborhoods
• Teach people to intentionally build relationships with the people in our lives
• Develop a network of partners across the city to be a part of a synergistic web of relationships to creatively advance God's Kingdom together
Restoration
• Serve with local ministries and city organizations
• Strive to be a green church
• Engage the arts and cultural expression
Interdependence
• Meet in weekly missional communities to support and encourage each other
• Create interactive social opportunities to build relationships
Liturgy
• Gather weekly as a corporate body following Jesus together
• Observe the Eucharist and the many layers of meaning it has for our lives
• Teach from the holy scriptures the ways of the ancient faith
• Participate in music and song to the glory of God
• Silently reflect on scripture, life, community
• Encounter the beauty God has bestowed upon our world
• Connect with God through the Holy Spirit in prayer
Transformation
• Engage our minds and ways with the holy scriptures
• Mentor those younger in the faith
• Periodically retreat from daily life to elevate our focus on God
• Offer access to spiritual direction for individuals
Affirmations, Values, & Distinctions
The Gospel
We want to embody Jesus Christ in mutual commitment, encouragement, and service. We aim at discipleship that results in transformation, through the stages of life and faith.
The Kingdom of God
Living the presence of Jesus’ mercy, justice, and peace-making, we want to serve our neighbors and those in need, locally and globally. We invite and welcome others to join us.
Community
We want to live in interdependence, to establish continuity between daily life and meeting together, in a multi-generational relational network. We are committed to integrating our city neighborhoods and our faith community by meeting regularly in homes, and to connecting with other local communities and programs. Art, culture, and social engagement are among our common concerns.
Worship Gathering
We want to come together on Sundays for song, liturgy, communion, and teaching, in ways that are participatory. We offer our gifts and talents to God and to one another in authenticity, humility, and excellence. Our time together incorporates ancient and new resources, teaches Kingdom theology, and offers an environment of welcome and safety.
Organization and Leadership
Our organization is as simple as possible; we want to keep an organic structure shaped by our mission. We value team leadership, co-operation, and mutual accountability; we want leaders who embody their faith and inspire others to transformative imitation.
The Church
We don’t go to church; instead, we are the church. We are believers gathered on a mission, in relationship with Jesus, each other, and the world. Our community has boundaries and a doctrinal core; we are both gathered and scattered. We are committed to authenticity, excellence, and leadership gifts not limited by gender. We strive to interact with our culture and influence it by Jesus’ presence.
Ultimate Purpose
Ecclesia Denver is an urban community, living the way of Jesus
[through]
Mission. Restoration. Interdependence. Liturgy. Transformation.
Aims
Mission: We want to advance the kingdom of God through relationally influencing people to the way of Christ.
Restoration:We are responding to God’s call to redeem the world from effects of the fall, setting to rights what God intended to be.
Interdependence: We are committed to living among one another in intentional community.
Liturgy: We gather to enter together into God’s story, with humility and honesty. In giving God His due worth, we express our corporate continuity with people of God.
Transformation: We are committed to the process of being formed in the image of Christ, individually and collectively.
Methods & Strategies
Mission
• Create missional communities for people to live incarnationally in their neighborhoods
• Teach people to intentionally build relationships with the people in our lives
• Develop a network of partners across the city to be a part of a synergistic web of relationships to creatively advance God's Kingdom together
Restoration
• Serve with local ministries and city organizations
• Strive to be a green church
• Engage the arts and cultural expression
Interdependence
• Meet in weekly missional communities to support and encourage each other
• Create interactive social opportunities to build relationships
Liturgy
• Gather weekly as a corporate body following Jesus together
• Observe the Eucharist and the many layers of meaning it has for our lives
• Teach from the holy scriptures the ways of the ancient faith
• Participate in music and song to the glory of God
• Silently reflect on scripture, life, community
• Encounter the beauty God has bestowed upon our world
• Connect with God through the Holy Spirit in prayer
Transformation
• Engage our minds and ways with the holy scriptures
• Mentor those younger in the faith
• Periodically retreat from daily life to elevate our focus on God
• Offer access to spiritual direction for individuals
Affirmations, Values, & Distinctions
The Gospel
We want to embody Jesus Christ in mutual commitment, encouragement, and service. We aim at discipleship that results in transformation, through the stages of life and faith.
The Kingdom of God
Living the presence of Jesus’ mercy, justice, and peace-making, we want to serve our neighbors and those in need, locally and globally. We invite and welcome others to join us.
Community
We want to live in interdependence, to establish continuity between daily life and meeting together, in a multi-generational relational network. We are committed to integrating our city neighborhoods and our faith community by meeting regularly in homes, and to connecting with other local communities and programs. Art, culture, and social engagement are among our common concerns.
Worship Gathering
We want to come together on Sundays for song, liturgy, communion, and teaching, in ways that are participatory. We offer our gifts and talents to God and to one another in authenticity, humility, and excellence. Our time together incorporates ancient and new resources, teaches Kingdom theology, and offers an environment of welcome and safety.
Organization and Leadership
Our organization is as simple as possible; we want to keep an organic structure shaped by our mission. We value team leadership, co-operation, and mutual accountability; we want leaders who embody their faith and inspire others to transformative imitation.
The Church
We don’t go to church; instead, we are the church. We are believers gathered on a mission, in relationship with Jesus, each other, and the world. Our community has boundaries and a doctrinal core; we are both gathered and scattered. We are committed to authenticity, excellence, and leadership gifts not limited by gender. We strive to interact with our culture and influence it by Jesus’ presence.
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