Missional Resources

We're excited that you want to explore the ideas of "missional communities" with the leaders of CVC in this way.  We're very thankful to be part of a church community that not only empowers us as leaders to humbly lead when needed, but also desires to be active participants who want to also journey with us.  We understand that any exploration and experimentation are often important steps to growth no matter what the results are and are excited to listen to God's voice as he challenges us to be his people sent out with his love.  

Before you get started below, it might help to get a quick lay of the land.  The first section you'll see goes into the foundational thinking of what being missional is all about.  You'll see challenging thoughts from author and missional pioneer Alan Hirsh as well as two inspiring blog posts from fellow BIC pastor and relative to some at CVC - Keith Miller.  This section is something we can all embrace at CVC.

The next section explores specific structures where this missional life can effectively flow - missional communities. There's a lot of flexibility here but two things about these communities stand out: they prioritize sharing life as an extended family (community) and they have a common outward focus (mission).

There is a lot of good information to chew on and doing so will take some time.  To help, we have highlighted some of the key recommended resources with the  symbol.  

We pray that God will speak to you and us all as we spend time exploring these themes together!

The Elder Board at CVC   

 "The Missional DNA" - Alan Hirsh - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBtS5avnfJE&feature=related (only first 2 min 13 seconds of longer video)  

Articles:

»"What is Missional?" - http://missionalchurchnetwork.com/what-is-missional/ 
» "A Church That Walks" by Keith Miller  http://keithdanielmiller.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/a-church-that-walks/ 

» "I Give Up" by Keith Miller - http://keithdanielmiller.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/i-give-up/

 



So What Then Are "Missional Communities"?

» Missional Communities – The Basics – compiled by Jeff Miller (see in document list at bottom of page) 

Videos:

  - A Missional Community Profile - Soma Communities - http://vimeo.com/24802073 (14 mins) 

- Why a Missional Community is Not a Weekly Meeting - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR1P1Kzgn7Q (4 min)

- Why a Missional Community is Not a Bible Study - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuDM7xv4-jg (4 min) 

Articles:

 - Answers to some of the most frequent questions about Missional Communities by leading thinkers and practitioners. (Note, you’ll see that their answers vary as there is not “one way” to live this out in a church context)

» What do Missional Communities Do? 
 - Short Compiled Version - see in document list at bottom of page - 

» What is a Missional Community? 
- Short Compiled Version - see in document list at bottom of page
 - Long Version - http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/01/10/question-1-what-is-a-missional-community-article-re-cap/ 


» How is a Missional Community Different than a Bible Study? - 
- Long version - http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/02/27/question-2-recap/

» How do you Transition a Small Group to a Missional Community? 
- Short Compiled Version - see in document list at bottom of page
  - Long Version - http://www.vergenetwork.org/2011/03/10/question-4-recap/


OTHER

Videos:
 - The Missional Movement in Context - http://www.weare3dm.com/ (3 min) 

- "Creating Incarnational Community" by Hugh Halter – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3fWBwChzdg&feature=player_embedded#at=38  (13 min) 

Articles

 - "A History of Missional Communities" by Mike Breem - http://mikebreen.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/how-i-chose-movement-over-mega-the-story-of-sheffield/

 - "Why Missional Communities are Effective in Reaching the Lost" - http://www.missionaloutreachnetwork.com/profiles/blogs/why-missional-communities

 - "Why Throwing Parties is Missional" - https://www.vergenetwork.org/2012/02/10/why-throwing-parties-is-missional-jeff-vanderstelt/