A couple years ago, I share the following characteristics of gospel communities. Living on mission is not a maverick endeavor. It happens in the context of community, but not just any community, a gospel community. Here are 11 marks I have discovered to be distinctives of healthy gospel communities.
- Believers practice confession instead of trying to make an impression.
- People are defined by a lifestyle of repenting rather than pretending.
- You embrace truth at all costs, not agreeing for each others approval.
- Light exposes & wounds and love covers & heals – both/and not either/or.
- People are happy to be holy not content to be comfortable.
- You own your mess because of His mercy instead of hiding them because of your shame.
- Functional saviors & heart idolatry are lovingly confronted & challenged by Christ’s reign & rule.
- Unbelieving sinners & believing sinners together look away from themselves & look to Jesus.
- The pleasure of God in Christ to save you liberates you to passionately serve others.
- Hospitality is given to those on the margins & those not like you are welcome in your world.
- Individual preferences take a back seat to community purposes of loving God and neighbor.