I had a chance to spend an evening with the Gateway College Ministry a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed the time with such great people!
Here were some of the key points for the conversation we had on Catalyzing Community (2nd audio clip from the bottom):
Principle #1: Cause creates community.
Our cause = moving people to become the person God created them to be.
Principle #2: Meet the needs of those around us.
We need to seek to meet the physical, emotional, economic, and spiritual needs of those around us. We should be pursue helping change the environment and change the individual who is looking for change.
Principle #3:Reach out to Xenos
Hospitality means loving strangers. A similar word, “hospice,” means “a safe place.” Our homes, our businesses, and our churches should become safe places for strangers to experience kindness and love.
Principle #4: Develop authentic friendships with those you know.
OIKOS is the Greek word for household (family, neighbors, co-workers and friends)
Principle #5: Allow people to belong before they believe.
We should never allow our convictions to become a litmus test for friendship. In fact, we should actively pursue friendships with people – even people with whom we may disagree. Go to www.mosaic.org/faq for more on the staff process at Mosaic.
Principle #6: Raise up a team of leaders to replace you
MPAC = Ministry through a pastor, assimilator, and catalyst
We need to make decisions based on who is not yet here rather than who has been here the longest.
Principle #7: Start Over
**For the rest, you can listen to the conference call at my site’s audio messages at Catalyzing Community (2nd audio from the bottom).
What have you seen bring people together?
