Our Approach
We approach spiritual
community in a unique way…
Centered Set | Confidently Small, Networked Communities | Creative and Contextual
1. Centered Set
Our faith and community life is defined by growing toward a shared center rather than conforming to one particular set of beliefs and lifestyle.
There are two primary ways to organize faith communities, bounded set and centered set. In a bounded set, there are a fixed number of things that define a space and you must operate within them to belong (i.e. you must believe certain creeds or behave a certain way). In a centered set, there is a defined center that we are in relationship to, though people can be coming from very different directions and distances. However, we’re all moving, growing, and committed to a shared journey. In this structure, you belong simply because you’re there and there’s freedom to disagree and hold different perspectives. We operate out of a centered set model because we believe that it’s essential for healthy, open-minded community and that it brings new life and dynamism to our relationship with God. For our network, we’ve placed Inward, Outward, and Together as embodied by Jesus at the center.
2. Confidently Small,
Networked Communities
We choose to organize in intentionally small, networked communities in order to better create space for meaningful relationships, attentiveness to the inner journey, and active outward expressions of our faith.
We’ve discovered that intentionally small communities often foster a deeper environment of intimacy, healing, and growth. When we’re small (and not trying to get big), we can innovate and adjust quickly in response to needs from within our group as well as to the larger community around us. However, operating in a small community can sometimes feel isolating which is why we choose to be networked with one another. Communities are connected as a network through a hub which serves through coaching, leadership development, resources, and collective encouragement. We feel connected to the larger whole through shared rhythms of learning as well as through all network gatherings and events.
3. Creative and
Contextual
We empower groups to create rhythms, practices, and shared conversations that best serve the unique needs and particularities of their community.
While standardization has its place, we instead aim for highly contextual groups that embody the characteristics and needs of the people within it and the communities they serve. This means that not every micro-community within our network looks the same. We believe that transformation happens when communities are able to attend to the particularities that are emerging for them in their context, and that groups and individuals may be in different places and stages in their spiritual journey. So while we as a network have certain values and rhythms, each community, with the support of the hub, has the freedom to adapt them and live them out in a way that contributes to thriving.
