congregations as signal communities - transforming the world

Congregations as Signal Communities

- Transforming the World

So we can be a signal community

that changes the worldone person and

one neighborhood at a time

What is a Signal Community?

Four things:

1. Vision2. Worship3. Formation4. Action

We Share a Vision for Creation

• God’s vision of reconciliation, salvation, wholeness, justice and peace.

• Shalom – fullness of peace, everything is right

We share a mission:

We proclaim Jesus Christand

Promote Communities of Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace

What happens if we just emphasize half of the mission statement?

Signal Community: Vision

We Pray Christ’s Prayer

“Your Kingdom ComeYour will be doneOn earth, as it is in heaven…”(Matthew 6:10 NRSV)

Signal Community: Vision God creates sacred space through us.

• Sacred space is safe space, sanctuary for all.• Sacred space is healing space.• Sacred space is a peaceful, just place.

Together we model the change we want to see happen in the world. We are light to the world, a City on a Hill, salt of the earth, leaven, a touch of heaven on earth.

Signal Community: Vision Power of the Few

“Be courageous and visionary

believing in the power of just

a few vibrant witnesses

to transform the world.”

(Doctrine and Covenants 161:3c)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can make a difference. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead, US Anthropologist)

What is Formation?

‘becoming disciples of Jesus

in community

for the sake of the world’

Mission as Jesus Did Mission

What do you do well in your congregation?

What is missing?

Step 1

Touchthe

Pain!

Compassion

Three Steps to Transform the World

Step 2

Hear the

Call!

Step 1

Touchthe

Pain!

Compassion

DiscipleshipMaking

Step 2

Hear the

Call!

Step 1

Touchthe

Pain!

Step 3

ChangeThe

System!

Compassion

DiscipleshipMaking

Peace/Justice

What happens if one step

is missing?

Listen to the need first.

This is the first act of compassion.

Do not assume!

Christ of the Bread lines

Share Christ’s Peace

Conversion

What is

conversion?

Personal change/conversion

Jesus said:

“No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above…

No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

(John 3:3,5)

Personal change/conversion

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:5 NKJV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NRSV)

Proselytism Jesus said:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much as son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15 NKJV)

Proselytism is:

• change of group without change of character; • just about numbers; group egotism/pride;• change of label, not change of life.

Personal change/conversion Justification – first experience of Holy Spirit – knowing for the first time we are loved by God

Sanctification – journey of transformation in covenant community – progressive change of character with help of others

– becoming Sermon on the Mount Christians. (Matthew chapters 5-7) – seeking to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion