People of the Way

I love that the first followers of Jesus were identified by the person they followed - JESUS!  Today, it is easy to define the new churches starting throughout North America organizationally or by where they meet (building, home , etc.), instead of, the WHO of our movement.

We start new churches not as the end goal.  We start new churches to capture the curiosity of those 'looking on' in the neighborhood so that they may say of us, "those people follow Jesus and they love this neighborhood/community" = people of the Way.   We start new churches in order to help facilitate the work of God's Kingdom into the lives of those who are not yet convinced how much Jesus loves them.  We start new churches to help followers participate in the Kingdom of God - the way, the truth and the life.  Church starting shouldn't be the goal.  Jesus Kingdom is the goal.  New churches should help Jesus followers do life together as part of the Kingdom, for the Kingdom. 

Jesus' Kingdom come and His will be done should be our goal.

As you think about your neighborhood, how will people know you follow Jesus?  How will they know your faith community follows Jesus?  What will make your neighbors say, "they are people of the way"?