Introductory Guide and Resources 1 Session 1 Overview

Introductory Guide and Resources 1

Session 1: Overview and Opportunities Before Us 2

Where do we start? 3

Doctrine and Covenants 163: 1. “Community of Christ, ” your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go. ” 4

Doctrine and Covenants 165: 1 c. “Lovingly invite others to experience the good news of new life in community with Christ. Opportunities abound in your daily lives if you choose to see them. “ 5

From Community of Christ President Veazey’s 6 -22 -16 Conference Challenge: “God sees Community of Christ regularly celebrating baptisms and confirmations of new disciples eagerly involved in the church’s fellowship and mission. Can you see that occurring in your congregation? The first step is to prayerfully picture it. “ 6

What is at stake is much more than congregational life but the possibility of new communities of invitation, love, reconciliation, and unity in diversity where all are welcome and discover God’s unfolding future!! 7

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Session 2: Opportunities and Challenges 9

Reflection Moment: “Where do you see your greatest opportunities and challenges with respect to our mission? 10

Session 3: Continuing Revelation in Christ and Essential Questions 11

Doctrine and Covenants 162: 2 e Again you are reminded that this community was divinely called into being. The spirit of the Restoration is not locked in one moment of time, but is instead the call to every generation to witness to essential truths in its own language and form. Let the Spirit breathe. 12

Two Essential Questions 1. What does it mean to me/us to be in relationship with the Living Christ? 2. How do I/we make room in our individual lives, congregations, or small groups to be totally shaped and sent by the Spirit? 13

Missio Dei. How has the Word been made flesh to you? What might this suggest about our approach to mission? 14

How has the Word been made flesh to you? What might this suggest about our approach to mission? 15

Encountering the living Word in Worship Simplify and Deepen Worship on page 17 Share in Practices of Spiritual Formation and Mission on page 13 Page 19 – Worship Outline Using Dwelling in the Word Spiritual formation is the foundation for everything we do. It continues to shape us as disciples and helps us see what we could not see before. 16

Dwelling in the Word Worship Outline Open with Sharing of Joys, Concern, and Prayer Gathering Song: Community of Christ Sings 96, “Now in this Moment” (consider having someone read the words before the congregation sings the words. Or ask someone to share a testimony or thoughts on how this hymn calls him or her into mission) A Disciple’s Generous Response Dwelling in the Word scripture and group sharing (see Twelve Months of Dwelling in the Word behind “Practices” in the Resources section of this guide. Read the scripture aloud, provide a few moments for reflection, and then ask the congregation to get into groups of three or four to share. ) Brief Challenge or Reflection (based on Dwelling in the Word. This can be as simple as a statement that is prepared in advance, a poem, or the words of a hymn or song that leads us into mission. ) Prayer of Sending Forth (Consider reciting the Lord’s Prayer or Mission Prayer together) 17

• This is more than just providing an alternative worship experience for those who currently gather! • This is about being thoughtful and intentional about the many how have walked away from traditional organized religion. How do we engage them in the process of exploration and being formed by the sacred story of scripture? • Dwelling in the Word is a powerful tool where everyone has a voice and can speak to how the scripture speaks to them. 18

Further Exploration 19

Let’s look at the Companion Study Guide on page 13 – Risk New Encounters with Others. 20

Our invitation creates receptive and relational space where the Spirit can reveal what is deep within waiting to find tangible expression. It is in this most vulnerable and Holy space where invitation “to something not fully explainable but utterly transforming” becomes incredibly real. It is in this space where God, as fountain of generous and sending love, overwhelms us with glimpses of what could be. All this is from God. We simply help open the relational space for the Spirit to do its transformative work. Receive, Embody and Share Christ’s Peace, page 7 21

Essential Questions for Disciples, Priesthood, and Congregations Sample from page 9 1. How have you encountered “something not fully explainable but utterly transforming” and how is it disrupting your daily life experience? 2. How is the Spirit inviting you to move beyond your fears of spiritual and relational transformation? www. missionalleaders. org 22

Session 4: Sharing in Practices of Spiritual Formation and Mission 23

Page 13 – Exploration 1. How do we discover and respond to what God is up to all around us? 2. What are missional practices? 24

Why do Practices matter? The practices invite us to live into an alternative vision for our world – a vision where strangers become friends and all are invited to the table of love, reconciliation, and abundance. 25

Open Your Eyes How did the mission prayer result in changed behavior? 26

Exploring Missional Practices – Page 13 Choose one Practice: • • Mission Prayer Sharing in the Round Dwelling in the Word Walking the Neighborhood 1. Describe the Practice in Your Own Words 2. How could this practice be integrated into congregational life or even reshape what we do in our congregation when we come together? 27

Session 5: Meeting as a Pastor Leadership Team 28

MEETING AS A PASTOR LEADERSHIP TEAM Essential Question: • How are we learning/modeling to care for one another, discern, develop consensus, and lead mission? Let’s look at four basic steps on page 15. 29

Four Basic Steps on page 15. 1. Build relationships as a team 2. Share in 20 to 30 minutes of Dwelling in the Word or another practice that centers you in God’s presence and vision. 3. Establish a clear agenda, including essential questions that the team discerns are important to the future of the congregation’s mission. 4. Share in conversation together, make decisions together, and determine next steps together. 30

Session 6: What would be most helpful to you in utilizing these resources? 31

What would be most helpful to you in utilizing these resources? 32

Session 7: Potential Next Steps and Approaches to Support Self-directed Pastor Leadership Team Approach 33

Self-directed Approach: Work through the 9 Sessions as Pastor Leadership Team – Page 5 • Assign a different member of the team to review the material for the session and prepare a summary. • Ask all members of the team to reach the section so they are prepared for discussion. 34

• Be sure to engage in a time of sharing and Dwelling in the Word on page 5. • Don’t rush through this but dwell in the passage together. • You may decide to use some scriptures from the resource section in the back of the book. 35

• Consider the two questions at the bottom of page 5 for each session. If you identify an idea or action you would like to take be sure to identify a project owner and timeline. • Additional Possibilities: Invite an evangelist to journey with you. Ask the evangelist to lead you through your time of sharing joys and concerns, prayer, and Dwelling in the Word. 36

Other Approaches: • Support from Mission Center • Congregational Partners • Mission Center Retreat • Follow up retreats could be scheduled to go deeper and explore specific challenges identified by congregations. 37

Specific Entry Points • Depending on specific needs or interests a congregation may choose to begin to utilize a specific section of the Initial Steps resource. • For example, there may be interest in exploring ways to simplify and deepen worship. This could be an entry point to begin utilizing the resource. • Make it your own and have fun with it. 38

Our Loving Challenge Doctrine and Covenants 163 10 a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. 39

For more information please contact: Ron Harmon rharmon@cofchrist. org Or Rob Borkowski rborkowski@cofchrist. org 40