@
New Faith Communities church planters come together for a common learning day to discuss theological and practical training in Relational Discipleship.
@
New Faith Communities church planters come together for a common learning day to discuss theological and practical training in Relational Discipleship.
@
New Faith Communities church planters come together for a common learning day to discuss theological and practical training in Holistic Mission.
by Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett, Executive Director of New Faith Communities
My family has lived on the same street for almost 10 years. This is the longest we have lived in one place. We have watched the children in our neighborhood grow from toddlers to teenagers. We have celebrated life milestones together, and grieved life’s losses together. However, when we first moved into our neighborhood, we were new. We did not yet know each other’s stories. We had to listen and learn about each other, and grow and change together as a community.
In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, John 1:14 is paraphrased as, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” During the Advent and Christmas season, we remember the world changing event of the incarnation. The idea that the incarnation of Jesus could be understood as God “moving into the neighborhood” has shaped many Christmas sermons, conversations, and even our practices of co-creating new faith communities.
Some of the same practices which occur when new people move into a new neighborhood also occur when a new faith community is co-created in a new place. It takes time to listen and to learn from the neighbors who are already there. It takes time to learn each other’s stories and to build trusting relationships and authentic community. Over time, the community is able to celebrate, grieve, grow, and change together.
For our churches, one of the first questions we must ask is, “who is our neighbor?” We follow-up with questions like, “what kind of neighbor will we be in this community?” Over time, and with God’s grace, as the body of Christ takes shape in a community, we experience the privilege of suffering and celebrating together. Our churches are shaped by the community, and the community is shaped by the body of Christ.
And just like the whole world changed when the Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood, our prayer is our congregations and communities might also experience the transforming power of the gospel because the presence of Christ is welcomed among us.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for our new faith communities who seek to be good neighbors, as we co-create new places for new people to gather at the expansive communion table of Jesus Christ.
As always, thank you for your support.
To make a financial contribution for 2022, please visit us online, https://nccumc.org/new-faith-communities/.
Relational Discipleship
by Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett
Throughout the gospel of Luke, including our lectionary texts for this summer, Jesus challenges individuals and communities to reconsider how they engage in relationships with each other and with God. The story of the Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8) explores themes of fear of the other, and how one community fears authentic transformation in a person who is “not like them.” In another story (Luke 18), Jesus challenges preconceived notions of holiness and reminds his listeners that someone’s status, a Pharisee or a tax collector, does not automatically determine the authenticity of one’s relationship with God.
One of the central stories of Luke’s gospel is the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A lawyer stood up to test Jesus, asking him what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks him what the law says, and the lawyer replies, “Love the Lord your God … and love your neighbor as yourself.” When Jesus said the man had answered correctly, the man asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replies by sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story which challenges social, religious, and political stereotypes and invites those who are paying attention to live out their religious commitments by showing mercy to all of God’s children.
One of the primary emphases of our new faith communities is co-creating new places for new people to engage in relational discipleship. Discipleship is inherently a relational practice. It is in our relationship with God and our relationships with others inside and outside our communities of faith where we are challenged to grow as followers of Jesus.
For the Church at Spring Forest (featured in this newsletter), relational discipleship occurs in-person and virtually as the community pays attention to rhythms of prayer, work, table, and neighbor. For Hope Recovery Church, relationships happen when people are invited to consider that we all are recovering from something, and people from all walks of life gather to experience God’s promises of liberation together. For Six:Eight Church, relationships happen in barber shops, on college campuses, and by paying attention to the social dynamics which shape the community. For Storied Church, relationships happen when people share their lives in “tov communities” and focus on inviting all people into authentic friendships. Mosaic Church is exploring ways to create new places online as emerging technologies are helping people connect in more authentic ways in local communities and around the world.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of our new faith communities. By helping to co-create new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ, you are participating in personal and community transformation. May God’s kingdom come (Luke 11).
As always, thank you for your support. To make a financial contribution for 2022, please visit us online, https://nccumc.org/new-faith-communities/.
NFC October Common Learning Day
The New Room Society gathered for Common Learning Days on October 11th and 12th at Asbury UMC in Durham, where Iglesia La Semilla and The Six:Eight Church are also housed. Those gathered were invited to consider the Benedictine motto ‘ora et labora,’ or ‘pray and work.’ Joined by Debbie Wong, ThD Student at Duke Divinity School and worship leader at First UMC in Cary, planters learned about liturgical worship, with a particular focus on moving toward an invitational model of worship. Planters also partnered with Iglesia La Semilla in service by facilitating a food distribution event, which impacted nearly 750 people in Durham. The gathering culminated in a time of worship and communion before planters were sent back out to dream creatively about liturgical worship in their contexts.
“Every time we gather for Common Learning Days with our church planters, I leave encouraged by the shared creativity and innovation. I am so thankful for the gifts of each church planter and how those gifts are being used to invite new people into communion with Jesus Christ.”
— Tim Catlett, Executive Director of New Faith Communities
Hear how the Church at Spring Forest in Hillsborough is modeling and making disciples through prayer, work, table, and neighboring.
Apply to Serve at General Conference
Visit WelcomeToGC.org to apply to serve, discover places to stay, explore Charlotte highlights, & find local churches.
919-779-6115
800-849-4433 (Toll-Free)
NC Conference of
The United Methodist Church
700 Waterfield Ridge Place
Garner, NC 27529
Powered by WordPress