What are Sent Communities all about?

I have written a brief note in response to those who are asking and wondering what Sent Communities will look like. Sent Communities are a piece of the pie that forms Sent Church.

I hope this gives you a little more insight into the vision of Sent Church. You can find out more on our website - www.mysentchurch.com

Please join us for our Next Steps vision night for more info on Sent Church and how you can "Live Sent" with us. It will be in San Angelo, TX at Glen Meadows Baptist Church on Thursday, May 2nd. We will meet in the fellowship hall at 7 pm.

Sent Church is all about "Seeing Jesus renew the world through believers who Live Sent together." 

Live Sent defined: Live in the new life Jesus has given us, Sent on mission of making disciples.

Below is a look into what we are calling Sent Communities. They are communities of 15 to 30 people who Live Sent together around the concept of In, Out, and Up. We will gather these Sent Communities regularly for corporate worship. 

In - Care for each other. Leading, training, making disciples.

Out - Moving forward with the vision of initiating love to a specific people group through service, evangelism, and friendship. An SC's people group could be a network of people or a neighborhood. An example of a network might be families with special needs children. An example of a neighborhood could be the one in which you currently live. 

Up - Toward God. Growing in our understanding of God through His word. Worshiping Him in spirit and truth. 

1. Vision - Led Communities - Leaders lead their community with a vision for a specific people group. The leader calls others to join Him/Her. Sent Communities multiply when a leader has the DNA of Sent Church, a vision for a different people group, and people who will "live sent" with them. 
2. Balanced Community - In, Out, Up
3. Adventure - Sent Communities will grow best when people are joined or bonded together in a common mission that is beyond themselves. 
4. Community Core Values - Sent Communities will share some common values with the whole church(Sent Church), but they will also have some unique values that shape each their identities more specifically. They Could be things like creativity, inter-generational involvement, care for the least of these, etc. It's your kingdom vision. It's our job to pour fuel on your fire. 
5. Freedom in style and structure - Every group is different. A culture of high accountability and low control is the way in which Sent Church will develop and empower it's leaders. This will help us to continue to reproduce without having to constantly run into unnecessary walls that designating style and structure tend to build. 
6. Making disciples and raising up leaders - We expect people to grow in relationship with God, and one another. We desire to empower and equip people to grow in their gifts, disciplines, skills, abilities, and leadership. Isn't that the role of church leadership? (Eph 4:12) 
7. Open community and Kingdom Expectation - Belief that God wants to extend His kingdom through your Sent Community. Communities are hospitable, open, and welcoming to everyone. We expect God to move and do amazing things through the people in your Sent Community. (God forgives, restores, and redeems everyone!)

This is a taste of what Sent Church and Sent Communities will look like. 

Have I wet your appetite?

Come "Live Sent" with us!

Josh

P.S. - I am thankful for men like Jason Dukes and Mike Breen who have gone before us and blazed the trail for "Living Sent", and missional communities. I recently spent time with Jason, and he has become a true friend and mentor.