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“OK, what about celebrating? How do we want to engage in this rhythm?” I asked. “I think we should celebrate every one of our birthdays.” “Yes, and anniversaries,” someone said. “Think about how rare it is these days for people to stay married, especially in this...

It was the bottom of the sixth inning. The Montreal Expos’ most feared hitter, Tim Raines, was at the plate. The pitcher glared at the catcher and checked the runner on first base. Then kicking high, he pushed off the rubber and threw as hard as he could. It was the...

Next, we clarify our mission. We remind one another that we are commanded by Jesus to make disciples of all people groups. So we ask: “What people and place do we believe God is collectively sending us to this year? Who do we hope to see become followers of Jesus...

“Now, how do we plan to recreate together?” I asked the group. “How should we keep the rhythm of resting, working, playing, creating, and restoring beauty in our lives apart and together?” “Well, let’s make sure we are all taking time off weekly to rest,” someone...

Let’s define what we are talking about. To put it very simply, a missional community is a group with the following characteristics: Jesus at the center Twenty to fifty (or more) people (including children) A clear mission to make disciples in a specific neighborhood...

Demetrius was right to be worried. The Ephesian silversmith made shrines for the goddess Artemis, and what kept him up at night—worrying about his job security—was the rapid growth of Christianity in his city. Up until a missionary named Paul arrived, the silver trade...

We have just released a new Bible Study based on the book: Culture Shock, by Chip Ingram These lessons are available on Amazon, as we as a part of my Good Questions Have Groups Talking Subscription Service. Like Netflix for Bible Lessons, one low subscription gives...

If you are curious about the answer to this question, I have good news: The Bible actually says. Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Note four things that the early church did,...

When a young couple comes to our church looking to be “plugged in” to one of our missional communities or “villages” (which they assume are set up like small groups in the churches they have been to before), I ask them to consider the hundreds of people in their...

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One day when my son, Reid, was just a little over one year old, I went home from the office in the middle of the day to surprise my wife for lunch. My wife’s a blogger, and she was working on a new post that day. When I show up, Reid’s upstairs napping. Lauren asks me...

First, as you are going … welcome a stranger. Missional communities are known for their missional integrity, missional clarity, missional fidelity, and most importantly, their missional hospitality. Missional communities practice reflexive hospitality to the...

I believe everybody has one thing they do better than anything else. The right place to start is with your one thing. I learned this from my dad. In fact it was a Maxwell house rule when I was growing up. When we were kids, my dad’s message to my brother, sister, and...