Intimate Community-- A small, safe, and transparent environment is key for hearing the gospel and growing as a disciple. We strive to create a loving, open atmosphere where others are comfortable to both share personally and to be held accountable. (John 17:20-23) Commissioned expects those in attendance to participate because by hearing one’s own voice amongst the fellowship of others, everyone feels included from the start, rather than just spectating.  We create this environment by exercising the ordinances found in scripture; baptism and the Lord’s supper, as well as ministering to one another in corporate prayer.
 

Unity in Christian Community-- The world is to recognize Christ by our unity and the way we love each other (John 13:34-35).  Therefore, we need to be fiercely committed to extending truth and grace to each other through healthy confrontation, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  The way we treat each other in the church is the first thing many lost people look at.  True community will recognize the possibility of being multi-cultural and intergenerational, both within the body and on the leadership level.
 

Relational and Incarnational Disciple Making-- Events don’t effectively change lives, truth flowing through relationship does (1 Thess. 2:8).  It is impossible to effectively teach obedience (Matt. 28:20) from a distance or in a crowd; it requires a trusting relationship.  A healthy church needs individuals that are pouring their lives into those that are less mature for the sake of their spiritual growth. Jesus came to us (Luke 19:10), as one of us, but was without sin.  He then sent us as the Father sent him (John 20:21).  Like Jesus, the church needs to be a “friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19), serving those around us, and establishing meaningful relationships through which we can share Christ.  This means serving the lost, not just preaching at them.
 

Plurality of Leadership-- Jesus is the only “senior pastor” specifically mentioned in Scripture (1 Peter 5:4). Therefore, we practice a leadership structure of equally authoritative shepherds who both keep each other accountable and share church responsibilities.   Church planting, ministry, and leadership are all best done in a team of people who are functioning primarily within their gifts and passions. If you want to see community in the congregation it is necessary to have community within leadership
 

Self-sufficiency and Inter-dependency-- Mature local churches should be meeting their own financial and spiritual needs while supporting their own leadership (1 Timothy 5:17-18). By practicing intimate community and using homes as places of worship we are unhindered by the financial constraints to fully implement The Great Commission. There should be a healthy desire to help generate support for others; however, this should only be applicable once self-sufficiency has been achieved and inter-dependency is understood. If values 1-4 are in healthy operation over an extended period self-sufficiency should be the result.