For the sake of others. (It's not just about you)

Here’s a hard question for the mirror:

Is my spiritual formation organized primarily for my own comfort?

Why do I ask this? Glad you asked.

I ask it because over the last decade I’ve watched as missional Christianity has become marketed. I’ve watched spiritual formation become something that is mass produced as self-help with some verses. I’ve watched the Christian community become an option not integral part of the discipleship experience. And I’ve seen people dip a toe in living for the sake of others, to quickly pull it back out and retreat into the comfort of something aimed at meeting their needs- not God using them to meet the needs of others. When you get to choose your own journey, it’s amazing how often that journey becomes about me and my comfortable, controllable world.

And honestly, it’s because I know my own heart, and It is so easy to drift there without noticing.

• We want peace (good).

• We want wisdom (good).

• We want inner healing (good).

• We want to understand the way we are wired. (also good)

But if it ends with us — if the end goal is just a slightly more serene, slightly more organized, even slightly more spiritual version of ourselves, we’re missing the point. We’ve been invited to nothing less than participating in God’s new creation right now- and commissioned to invite others to do the same.

We are being formed by God, together, for the sake of others.

You see, the world doesn’t need followers of Jesus who are slightly better at managing their calendars, dinner parties, or church services.

The world needs people who leak hope.

People Who show up when it’s costly.

People Who love when it doesn’t make sense.

People Who carry the good news of Jesus into conversations, kitchens, and crises.

Formation is not just self-help with a Bible verse sprinkled on top. Togetherness isn’t just a more connected way to live.

Both of these are about the community of Jesus being shaped into the kind of people who can embody God’s heart in real places with real people who really need good news.

This is why we commit to the long, slow, frustrating, beautiful process.

Not so we can admire our own spiritual maturity in the mirror — but so that the city around us sees Jesus more clearly. Not so we can say we have some friends- but so that there’s a communal witness of the goodness of Jesus.

Don’t get me wrong, being formed by God, together is a beautiful thing in and of itself. Seeing the Spirit of the Living God heal is mind blowing. Experiencing life in community is fulfilling (and frustrating) but those things don’t end on themselves. They weave together with a third strand that we believe is needed to be the kind of community God has called us to be.

You are being formed by God, together, for the sake of others.

Let it be for your joy

Let it be for their good.

Let it be for His glory.

Questions To Process With Friends-

• How are we tempted to have our formation and community end on us?

• Who are the people God has already put in our lives that we can BLESS?

• Where do we see these three strands (formation, community, mission) in each act of the biblical story?

• What is our next step in being formed by God, Together, for the sake of others?

Together. (you can't grow in isolation)

If you hang around Missio for more than five minutes, you’ll hear it:

We are formed by God, together, for the sake of others.

The middle part — together — might be one of the the most neglected piece of discipleship in modern life. Does it sound too bold? I’m sticking by it

We love the idea of “personal growth.”

We love podcasts and personal development plans and solo retreats (and those aren’t bad).

We love to customize the experiences we give ourselves to.

We love enneagrams, personal assessments, and anything that tells us the story of us.

But here’s the truth:

You can’t be formed into the likeness of Jesus in isolation.

Let me say it again for those in the back, You can’t be formed into the likeness of Jesus in isolation.

The fruit the Spirit produces (Galatians 5) isn’t produced in a vacuum. And it definitely isn’t proven in isolation. It’s shown in the carpool line when you’re late and everyone’s cranky. It’s shown when someone overlooks you for a promotion. It’s shown when forgiveness isn’t a theory but a choice you have to make with real tears looking into real eyes of a real friend. It’s shown when the invitation to serve in a way you think is beneath you presents itself.

I think you get it.

Growth happens best with people. It’s how God designed it. Growth happens as we submit to the Spirit alongside a community of people. All through the biblical story God has been forming a community and it’s that community who, in shared life, are a public witness to the goodness of God and the beauty of his kingdom. Yep, the life of a disciple is spent with people.

Messy, beautiful, frustrating, hilarious people.

People who stretch you.

People who call out your blind spots.

People who offend you.

People who remind you that you are more loved than you dare to even believe.

People who point you back to Jesus and his incredible grace.

People who remind you the kingdom of God is here and keep you alert to what he is doing- even when you struggle to see it.

And if that sounds hard — that’s ok.

It’s going to be.

But it’s also good. And beautiful. And worth It

My encouragement is this…

Stick around.

Don’t opt out.

Lean into being formed by God- together.

Formation isn't Optional (even if we pretend it is.)

You are being formed.

Right now.

Whether you want to be or not.

Every conversation you have, every headline you skim, every podcast or show you half-listen to while folding laundry it’s shaping you. There are multi-billion dollar industries meant to form your sexuality with porn, to form your desires with consumerism, to form your families with their agendas, you get it…

The question isn’t if you’re being formed. The question is who or what is doing the forming.

At Missio, we talk a lot about being “formed by God.” A Formation that isn’t by accident, or coincidental, but with intentional.

I’m going to be honest, It’s slow work most of the time. Embarrassingly slow, for us Americans. It’s definitely not flashy. And it can’t be accomplished in 60 minutes on a Sunday. When we say it we are talking thousands of small, surrendered, Holy Spirit orchestrated moments stacked together over time.

Formation is more a process and less an event. It’s a journey, not just a destination. And we are all on it.

But here’s the thing:

You won’t do it alone.

Formation is always a community project.

God designed his church — the real, messy, stumbling-toward-Jesus-together kind of church — to be a people who help each other stay awake to what He’s doing in the world and in their lives. We each submit to the Spirit who is guiding all of us and joyfully take up the work of being formed in the likeness of Jesus.

• We remind each other who we are.

• We call each other back when we drift.

• We hold up the mirror when we can’t see ourselves clearly.

• We love fiercely.

• We live collectively.

• We remind each other of the True Story and our place in that unfolding drama.

You will be formed by something.

Let’s choose to be formed by Him.

Shared Life. Shared Witness.

Have you ever considered how the shared life you participate in is a witness to the gospel? One of the “dangers” of being formed in small, consistent ways over long periods of time is that everything… well… becomes normal.

The sacrifice….. it’s just what we do.

The weekly meals…. what else would I do for dinner on Wed?

The morning prayer…. of course I’d go, those are friends and we meet with God.

The financial generosity…. we are used to living on 90% of our income.

The helping others move…. it’s a joy to use my truck and time to help.

But each of those things can be responses to the gospel of Jesus- that in turn tell of dimensions of kingdom to all who see. I’d encourage you- watch this short video then think about ways that the life you are living tells about the good news of the kingdom OR confronts some of the old patterns you may have slipped back into!

Enjoy.

Remember This (about fasting)

Remember:

All through the Story God’s people have fasted. Well not all through the story. Interestingly enough the promise, redemption, and church acts are the only ones where fasts are described. I think this is because in the garden there wasn’t yet a competing allegiance, at the end there won’t be- but while we exist in this world of- we need these practices to anchor us in realities we will one day be confronted with.  We make ourselves aware of God’s presence and create the space free from food and filled with awareness of our humanity- to focus on God, his presence, his goodness, and discern his will.

In Jesus’ culture, fasting was also a normal ritual that set aside a period of time as sacred. We don’t have to fast to connect with God or hear from him. But fasting is a powerful way to surrender ourselves to God, trusting him to meet us in our neediness.

As you reflect on this practice what invitations are you sensing Jesus inviting you into? What would it look like to take a prolonged fast leading up to Easter? Not because we have to get God’s attention, but because we want to pay more attention to God….

Fasting and Feasting

Fasting and Feasting

This week Kevin framed the biblical practices of fasting and feasting around the idea of making space for God.

Lynne Baab writes,
“When we fast, we are affirming that life is best lived in rhythms. On feast days we embrace God’s abundant gifts and we rejoice in that abundance. On fast days we mourn and we long for the restoration of all things. Brokenness and abundance coexist in life… the rhythm of fasting and feasting calls us to embrace both sorrow and gladness in different times and seasons. The Bible is full of both emotions.” 

A brief word for each.

Fasting, Scot McKnight defines, is “a response to life’s sacred, grievous moments.” Rather than a ploy to manipulate God, Fasting aids us in participating in what God has already been up to. The mystery of our faith which we recite weekly, Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again, situates us in the middle of a story where God has already acted and will act again. Fasting is a way of living in the tension of this story and responding to it by making space with our very own body.

A Psalm, Prayer, and Meditation for Fasting:

Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” 

A Blessing to Begin a Fast: “Almighty God, bless and receive this fast as an offering of my whole self to you. Allow my hunger to be transformed into holy desire. Strengthen me to go without to make room for more of your Spirit. Jesus, bread of life, satisfy me as I feast on your unfailing love.”

Daily Bread, A Meditation on Matthew 6:11

Give us today our daily bread.

Give us today our daily.

Give us today our.

Give us today.

Give us.

Give…

The Table

The word Eucharist originates from the Greek word for thanksgiving, and refers to the practice of communion, Christ’s body and blood shared amongst the church in the bread and wine. While the Eucharist itself is often reserved as a sacred ritual, there is an element by which our entire being in Christ could be considered ‘eucharistic’ - a celebration of divine fellowship. To live ‘eucharistically’ is to embody life with God in the festivity and sanctity of everyday existence, extending the hospitality of Christ to all. Our ordinary feasting then can be a symbol of eucharistic life; As Christ welcomes us to his table, we welcome and celebrate with one another. Tish Warren Harrison writes, “The Eucharist- our gathered meal of thanksgiving for the life, death, and resurrection of Christ- transforms each humble meal into a moment to recall that we receive all of life, from soup to salvation, by grace.”

Three Questions For Feasting:

What might it look like to share a meal this week as an extension of God’s welcome in Christ?

Who might you want to share your table of thanksgiving with?

Where are the spaces you can extend hospitality as you feast?

By Ben Ide

It's not about climbing higher.

Jesus had every right to hold onto power. He could have demanded loyalty. He could have stayed in heaven.  But He didn’t.

Instead, He emptied Himself.

The Greek phrase “made himself nothing” (kenosis) literally means “emptied himself.”

I want to address something pretty important theologically here. There’s a notion floating around that Jesus wasn’t always God, or wasn’t equal to God, or that even became less than God as a human. That is NOT what Paul is saying. Paul is holding onto old school, Jewish mono theism, there is only one God, and Jesus is God- always was- and is redefining for the church what God is like. He wasn’t like Caesar, or Alexander the Great, Or Agustus who ruled with violent, degrading, and dehumanizing displays of power. 

He laid down His rights and used his power to serve. 

And if we are going to faithfully follow Jesus, we have to ask: 

What are we holding onto that He’s asking us to lay down?

• Maybe it’s our need to be right.

• Maybe it’s our comfort.

*       Maybe it’s our desire to only be in situations we can control. 

*       Maybe it’s a standard of living. 

• Maybe it’s our entitlement, the belief that we deserve certain things.

We have to ask this question because the way of Jesus isn’t about climbing higher—it’s about humility and very often lowly acts of service for the sake of other- and the glory of God.

For Reflection:

• What are subtle ways we cling to power, status, or recognition?

• How does Jesus challenge that?

Be Humble.

To follow Jesus means embracing a downward way of humility and sacrifice, where we lay down our rights, our pride, and our desire for control to take on the posture of Christ among the people and places Christ has called us. 

We all want to be great at something.  It might not bleed into everything , but there is something. And Missional Community life will absolutely expose us and invite us into something better.  

Some of us were raised to believe that life is about moving up—up in our careers, up in influence, up in respect. Whether it’s climbing a corporate ladder, growing a platform, or just making sure we get noticed, we are wired to think that greatness is about going higher, being better, always getting the win. 

And here’s the thing—we don’t just see it in the world out there. It’s in us. It’s in me. We want to win arguments. We want people to see our good work. We want to be somebody.

And then Jesus shows up.

And He says things like:

“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43)

Whoever wants to be great… must go lower.

I don’t know about you, but that messes with me.

Because everything in me wants to believe that life is about gaining, climbing, achieving. But Jesus flips the script. He says life—true life—is about emptying, humbling, serving. And there’s so much inside us that wants to resist that. The path to greatness is getting your servant identity on- is not very instagram worthy. But Jesus still calls us, over and over again, to follow him in simplicity and humility.

Kendrick Lamar simply tells us to be humble, but Tim Keller is a little more helpful on this one. He puts it this way:

“The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.”

This is what we see in Philippians 2—the downward way of Jesus.

And today, the invitation is simple: Are we willing to follow Him there?

Meditate on this passage all week: Philippians 2:5-11 It’s a good one and it starts like this…

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…”

Repentance and Renewal

Drifting? It’s Time to Come Home

I got lost in the desert once. that’s not metaphoriical< but physically, actually lost.

At first, I thought I could figure it out—just keep walking, follow the trail, no big deal. But the more I wandered, the more I realized: I wasn’t getting closer. I was making it worse. I had to stop, turn around, and get back on a path I knew to be the right one. I had drifted off the path and needed to get back.

That’s what happens to us spiritually, too. Usually we don’t wake up one day and decide to walk away from God, his community, or his mission. It’s more subtle than that. It’s small steps. Distractions creep in. Priorities shift. And before we know it, we’re far from where we’re meant to be. And the danger comes when that starts to become normal and not a reason for heart examination.

Lent is the invitation to stop, take a breath, and turn back. Like that moment in the desert to realize we are not actually helping the ache in our souls with our self-help methods, but need Jesus and his healing touch to restore what has been lost or neglected. Consider t

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart.” (Joel 2:12)

Repentance Isn’t Just About Guilt—It’s About Coming Home

For some, the word repentance sounds harsh, like a scolding. But in Scripture, it’s a call to return, to realign, to come home. It’s a invitation to turn from a pattern, thought process, or belief and see the world afresh like God sees it and align your life with his inbreaking kingdom. We were made for life under God’s good reign, so his invitation to return is just that, a call back to what we are longing for- whether we know it or not.

Repentance isn’t about punishment. It’s about finding life again.

When Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15)—He wasn’t just telling people to stop sinning and find personal forgiveness (as important as that is.). He was inviting them into something better, a new way of being. A way of living with him as king as part of his kingdom community. He was inviting a new way being in the world, a way of living life to it’s fullest !

Where Have You Drifted?

Drifting is easy. So how do you know when it’s happening? Here’s some highlights from our conversation on Sunday. (There’s a lot more for the list I’m sure)

• Your missional focus blurs—comfort takes over.

• Your morality slides—you tolerate things you used to resist.

• Your time and attention dilute—Jesus moves to the background.

* Your heart and calendar become chaotic. There’s no pace and it’s all gas no brakes.

* Your community involvement decreases. Being with God’s people is no longer a source of joy and rest, but labor and cynicism.

The Way Back

Lent is another invitation to stop and return God. We know he is the Father in the story of the prodigal sons ready to welcome back those who have outright rebelled or those who have inwardly drifted, but externally stuck around.

This reorienting and realignment leads to renewal. In Joel it was a call for the renewal of a community and in Mark it was the renewal project of the kingdom. In both cases personal response to the good news of God that led to renewal.

What’s one step you can take this week?

* Make space. Be with Jesus and see where he takes this conversations with you. Maybe use our Lent journal in that process.

• Fast—create space physically by stopping something you know may be distracting you.

• Reconcile a relationship—let go of resentment and move towards forgiveness. .

• Step into mission—say yes to God’s call if you already know where he’s been calling you, but like Jonah, you are resisting.

Kingdom Culture

Kingdom Culture and Missio

Each of our Missio Communities looks a little different (the are diverse) but they all feel very familiar (they are part of the same body.) This is because as we are commissioned out into various spaces and place, we also committed into the same patterns and practices of life which emerge from a common understanding of the Story of God and his Kingdom. These shared beliefs, practices and rhythms being lived out by so many different kinds of people creates a beautiful kingdom culture!

In all of our MC’s you will experience the True Story as the IOs, you’ll practice BLESS rhythms, you’ll be formed by God together for the sake of others (aka you’ll learn to be a disciple) and be trained to make disciples of Jesus as well! The context will change, the gift mixes, the leadership styles, the neighborhoods, but the kingdom culture running through each of them should be the same.

So as we are sent out our little kingdom communities form a network of good news places in cities that can be very dark. The culture of a particular country or cities probably won’t honor Jesus, but as we are sent into neighborhoods, networks, and helping in areas of need, we bring a different way of being with us because we believe a different story. We act as a kingdom community within that city- an outpost of faith, hope, and love planting seeds of berauty, truth, and justice.

So Missio, Don’t lose heart in the work of being a kingdom presence in a dark space! (Jesus’ story of leaven and Mustard seeds is meant to remind us of that!) What you are doing in small and unseen ways is steadily presenting the good news of Jesus to people who desperately need Him.

Happy Friday, and may we faithfully continue to cultivate a kingdom culture across our Missio Communities.

The quote below shows that for good or bad, our cultures ultimately are expressions of our faith and hopes. Let us continue to live as citizens of Jesus’ kingdom in all of our diversity in expression and unity in intention!

““All elements of culture have their secret ties with the religious faith of the people as a whole.... Culture is religion made visible; it is religion actualized in the innumerable relations of daily life.””

— -JH Bavinck~

Embrace Comfort AND Challenge

Embrace Comfort and Challenge

People thrive in environments where they feel both safe and challenged. Safety gives us the courage to step into something new; stretching moves us toward growth. As leaders, we tend to lean one way or the other—maybe you’re great at creating comfort, or perhaps you naturally push people forward.

Neither is enough on its own.

Safety without stretching leads to stagnation, and stretching without safety tends to overwhelm. A full experience of both helps us grow.

But Remember: safety comes first. People won’t stretch (willingly) until they know the space is safe.

Questions For Reflection

• Each of our communities naturally migrate towards safety OR stretching. Which is your community most likely to gravitate towards?

• What have been the benefits of that focus? Where have you seen some potential needs for the other side of the equation?

• How could you purposefully architect your next quarter together to include elements of both safety and stretching?

Commit to Consistency

Commit to Consistency

This one doesn’t mean have every gathering look ezxactly the same. Far from it. We celebrate diversity and enjoy experimenting with new forms. So when I use consistent here I mean have the experience be consistent with what you described when you invited people to participate.

If you invite someone to a relaxed evening, don’t stress them out with rigid agendas and leading questions. If you’re hosting a training, make sure the purpose is clear, and get to the point. If you invited people to a workout, don’t serve donuts. Consistency matters. People need to trust that the invitation you’ve extended is genuine and one of the ways they subconsciously test if they can trust your message is is you’ve delivered reliably so far up to that moment. This isn’t perfection in every dimension of planning, but is a clear effort to deliver the sort of experience you invited them into.

Imagine showing up for what you thought was a casual hike, only to see the person who invited you has a full overnight backpack ready to go- I fear we sometimes do that to people with our invitations to a “chill night” that just so happens to be a DNA group with a group of strangers. Yeah, I’d rather go all night backpacking unprepared as well! 

When our environment aligns with our purposes, we tend to feel at at ease and able to get past survival mode a lot quicker. A relaxed night is more relaxing when you aren’t waiting for a bait and switch sales moment. A focused training is more productive when everyone has their phone off and came with pre-work done.

Different kinds of gatherings weave together to form a fabric of a community over time and our hope is that we consistently lead these gatherings in a way that reflects the heart of Jesus to be with people where they are and invite them into an increased experience of his love and kingdom life. 

Questions To Keep Processing

• Which sort of meetings do each of your team leaders lead with more consistency?

• Are there personal areas of growth that could lead to more consistentent execution of environments?

• What are some experiences over the last six months where you feel as a team you led others into a coherent and consistent environment? Any where you know you missed that opportunity?

• What is your current means of communicating what different environments for your community will be? Does it feel successful in setting expectations?

Create Your Own Customs

Rituals and traditions give structure and meaning to our time together. Whether it’s pausing to say grace together, sharing a toast, playing a silly game, or rehearsing the True Story, these shared acts remind us that our time together is marked and sacred. Shared and specific actions anchor us in a larger story and help us remember why we came together in the first place. Sometimes our customs are curated with precision and other times they develop over time and we hardly notice them- until new people join the community.

One of the customs we practice with our missional community (and family) is no phones at the table. People walk in and leave their phones in the “phone graveyard” a box we’ve got by the front door before heading to the table. This reminds the entire community that while our lives away from the table matter greatly, the people at this table are the ones we are paying attention to in this moment. The shared meal and the shared story that forms us is worth our attention and so we’ve developed a custom of simply leaving our phones by the door.

I’d encourage you to take an inventory with your leadership team and see what customs you have that are helpful and if there are any that need to be repented of!

Consider what small traditions you can incorporate into your gatherings.

• Throwing parties for meaningful moments in personal or communal life.

• Greet new people to the community first rather than last when you enter a room.

• Sending a text to yourself at the end of a training to remember what you want to take with you.

• Everyone brings an ingredient or dish for the meal.

• Lighting a candle to symbolize the Spirit’s presence.

• A shared prayer before meals that is consistent and communal.

  These acts don’t have to be elaborate; they just need to be intentional and explained to those in attendance. There’s few things more intimidating to a new person in a community than a shared action that everyone else is doing, but is not explained to them.

Questions to Keep Processing

• What customs have you intentionally or unintentionally developed as a community? What do they say about God and his kingdom?

• Are there any common practices you already have that need explaining to newer community members?

• Are there any gaps in your community that could be served by a purposeful custom your initiate and explain for everyone?

• Do our customs create unnecessary barriers for people who want to participate in our community?

Cultivate Connection

Cultivate Connection

True connection begins with genuine listening. (BLESS LISTEN) When we are in a space where we are heard, our walls come down, and the possibility for transformation grows. As leaders, we can help cultivate these moments by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging laughter, and creating an atmosphere where ideas and stories are freely exchanged in non anxious ways.

This sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. Our insecurities, agendas, and blind spots often keep us from this crucial first step of forming meaningful gatherings.

One simple ritual we practice at home is going around the table and having everyone answer the same question. It might be,

• What’s a moment you’re grateful for this week?

• What’s a dream you’ve been holding onto?

• Where do you call home?

• What did you learn this week that you wish you could share with your younger self?

  Each of these shared moments invite authenticity and often lead to deep and unexpected connections over shared stories. When the whole table knows that everyone is answering it helps to create a shared expectation that each of us is giving of ourselves and there is safety because everyone is equally involved in the process.

A mistake that many inexperienced or insecure leaders can make is to keep everything about their agenda and content they want to share- but this often prevents people from being able to fully enter into connecting because they feel like they are being downloaded information. That feels decidedly different from being part of a transformative process that involves our own thoughts, dreams, and desires being formed in conversation with God and his community. Slow down. Listen. And don’t be so driven to accomplish your purposes that you miss out on what God invited you all together for.

Questions To Keep Processing

• What moments do we already have where we see connections naturally forming?

• What are some new conversation starters we could try this season?

• What barriers have we experienced in cultivating connection?

• How do we as leaders model authentic and trusted sharing of stories with our community?

Your Gatherings Matter

In our world, where distractions abound and meaningful connections can feel rare, the way we gather matters. Whether it’s around our dinner table, in a living room, or at a training session, the spaces we help create add or detract from the experiences people have.

But here’s a confession: I’ve led a lot of bad gatherings. And while this blog series this isn’t necessarily about them, they have helped shape what I’m going to share. I’ve learned over the years of hosting gatherings, meals, trainings, and communal conversations on life changing topics that it’s not just the content but the sort of environment you cultivate that the Spirit uses. The hope is that you’ll learn from my less than ideal gatherings so that you can host less of them and more of the ones that cultivate kingdom curiosity, community, and unleash the creative potential in your MC or team!

Over the next four posts I am going to explore some helpful dynamics to keep your eye on that I’ve discovered as I’ve shared at campfires, in living rooms, over meals, on jobsites, and in trainings with so many of you. My hope is that your leadership team will read this and then keep them in mind while planning purposes filled gatherings that will lead your MC to do the same. These are catered to our Missio Communities (MC’s), but the same principles can be transferred to your family, coaching, classroom, or anywhere you host gatherings with very little extra work.

We want people to experience God’s presence and believe that often happens in a community who are seeking Jesus and his kingdom together.  The next few posts are a few things that can help you as disciple makers cultivate healthy and inviting environments for others in this next season. I really do pray this is helpful for you as you continue being formed by God, together, for the sake of others.

Love is a golden thread woven throughout the Story.

As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we are invited into an ongoing story woven through  and through with the golden thread of God’s love—a love that is steadfast, transformative, unrelenting and utterly surprising. It’s a love that whispers through the prophet Micah, resounds in Mary’s Magnificat, takes on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and continues in the Spirit animated life of the church.

Micah speaks of Bethlehem, a small, insignificant village, where God’s ruler will arise.

This ruler is not the kind of king the world expects. He is a shepherd-king, whose reign is marked not by domination but by care, tenderness, and peace. It is love—God’s enduring, covenantal love—that calls forth this ruler to gather, guide, and protect His people. This is the heart of God’s kingdom: a love that casts out fear, lifts up the lowly, and restores the broken.

We see this love so vividly in Mary.

When we turn to Luke’s Gospel We find her carrying the Messiah in her womb, not as a queen in a palace but as a humble young woman, overshadowed by God’s Spirit and full of God’s words. Her response to God’s astonishing plan is not self-centered ambition but a song of love, trust, and wonder. The Magnificat is a declaration of how love works in God’s economy: it scatters the proud, exalts the humble, fills the hungry, and remembers the forgotten. This is no abstract love; it is active, justice-bringing, world-transforming, hope-filled love. This is the love we so desperately long for and the kind of love that arrives in Jesus.

But how did God accomplish this? Hebrews 10 helps give shape to that answer.

Jesus enters the world not merely to make more sacrifices but to, in love, offer the final sacrifice of himself. His redemptive mission is not about appeasement but about reconciliation and peace—bringing humanity and creation into harmony with God. The love of God is not a distant ideal; it is enfleshed in Jesus, who comes to do God’s will. His sacrifice is the ultimate act of love, offered to heal, restore, and make all things new.

And then there is the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth in Luke 1.

It is a scene overflowing with love and joy. Elizabeth’s child leaps in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice, a beautiful testament to the way God’s love stirs the hearts of all who encounter it. Mary and Elizabeth’s embrace is more than a familial greeting; it is a celebration of God’s loving purposes unfolding before their eyes. Their joy is born out of love—love for God, for one another, and for the promises that are now being fulfilled.

So what does this mean for us today?

It means that God’s love, which called forth a ruler from Bethlehem, still works through the small, humble, and unexpected. It means that God’s love, which filled Mary’s heart with joy and Elizabeth’s home with laughter, is still filling the world with signs of hope and renewal. And it means that the God whose love sent His Son to dwell among us calls us to embody that same love in our own lives.

Advent is a season of waiting, yes, but not passive waiting. It is active, hope full, love-filled anticipation. Like Mary, we are called to say, “Let it be to me according to your word,” trusting in God’s love to carry us forward. Like Elizabeth, we are called to rejoice in God’s unfolding plan, letting love shape our response. And like the shepherd-king foretold by Micah, we are called to bring peace to a world that desperately needs the love of Christ.

This Advent, may we embrace the joy of God’s love, the humility of Bethlehem’s king, and the hope of God’s promises fulfilled. And may we go forth to live out this love, bringing light and peace to a weary world.

Missio and friends, May we walk away from this space full assured of God’s love for us and by the power of the Spirit offer the undaunted hope,  ultimate peace, glorious joy, and unrelenting love of God. .

Questions for Reflection

• Reflection on God’s Love: God’s love is called the golden thread which weaves his redemptive mission together.

  • How does the idea of God’s love being “steadfast, transformative, unrelenting, and utterly surprising” challenge or expand your understanding of love in your own life?

  • How have you experienced his love in 2024?

  • What are practical ways that you can demonstrate that love to those in your immediate community? (Family, MC, Neighbors, etc..)

• Humility: Mary and Bethlehem are highlighted as humble vessels through which God’s love and plan unfold.

  • What role does humility play in allowing God’s work to show up in and through us today?

  • What does it look like when an MC, or disciple of Jesus struggles with humility?

  • What have you learned in Matthew about humility of Jesus and how can that shape your life over the next few weeks?

• Active Waiting: Advent is a time of active, hopeful, love-filled anticipation.

  • What practical steps can you take during this season to embody God’s love and bring peace and joy to those around you as you await his return?

  • Maybe more specifically, As you look into 2025, what does active waiting look like this year? (BLESS Rhythms)

Scripture Readings: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 (or Psalm 80:1-7); Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

A Confession For Week 1 of Advent

Leader:

O God, we confess that we are a people in waiting.

Like Israel in exile, we long for your presence to be made known among us.

We have wandered in darkness, grasping for hope in things that cannot save.

All:

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom your people.

Forgive us for the ways we have sought comfort over calling,

and security over sacrificial love.

Leader:

You have called us to join in your mission of redemption,

to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted,

and proclaim freedom for the captives.

All:

Yet we confess that we have been slow to respond.

We have not loved as you love.

We have not given as you give.

We have not gone where you have sent us.

Leader:

But you are faithful, O God.

In your mercy, you draw near to us, even in our failure.

You free us from sin and invite us to follow you anew.

All:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to us!

Forgive us, transform us, and send us out with courage and joy.

May we carry your light into the world,

living as witnesses to your kingdom that is here and still to come.

Leader:

Come, Lord Jesus.

Renew us as your people,

that we may glorify you and bring hope to all nations.

All:

Amen. Come, Emmanuel.

Sabbatical Funding: A One Time Request

In August at our Missio Mesa Sending Sunday gathering, we discussed one way we plan to love and empower leaders at Missio Dei Communities is with the gift of rest, by arranging sabbaticals every 7 years for full time ministers within Missio Dei Communities. We announced that we’d be starting by providing one for Kevin in 2025, and would get you more information if you’d like to help us raise the funds for that time away from regular rhythms of work..

If you want to take part in funding this gift for the Platts, you can access that via the giving portal on our Church center web page or app. On the giving page, when selecting the congregation dropdown, please click “Mesa Sabbaticals”.  (Or Just Click Here)

We plan to keep the giving platform open for the Platt’s sabbatical through the middle of December. That way they know what funds they will have to work with and can plan accordingly. 

Thank you for your generosity to the Missio family and all networks of people that we have been sent to. 

Missio Mesa, you are loved!

Mike Zins

(on behalf of Missio’s Leadership Teams)

Some More Details:

Kevin and the Platt family will be having their first sabbatical from May - July 2025. 

He will still receive a salary from Missio Mesa during this time, but in order to retreat, rest, reflect, renew before re-engaging back with the Missio family, there are additional expenses that will be incurred by their family in order to do this well. Instead of having this be a burden, we are asking people to consider being a part of this gift of rest by donating to the Platts for the Sabbatical. In the future Missio Dei Communities will be allocating a small portion of their budget for future sabbatical needs. 

Our hope and prayer is this also serves as a reminder to us all - our identity is not based on our performance, what we do, but it is based on Jesus and what He has done on our behalf. May we continue to rest in confidence in that, and then continue being formed by God, together, for the sake of others out of the rest and love He has given us and by the power of His Spirit! 

BLESS Rhythms: Listening to Others

It’s as we listen to God, that we find ourselves with the margin and capacity to extend that same grace to others. When we listen to our extended spiritual family and neighbors, we learn their joys, their struggles, and their dreams. We hear what is making them sad, frustrated, and hopeful. We start to understand where God might already be at work in their lives. And we can affirm that alongside them. If we slow down, share space, and pay attention, we will continue to grow together as a network of disciples.

Remember: Listening isn’t just about waiting for a chance to share the gospel—it’s about seeing people the way Jesus sees them and giving them space to be seen and heard- a space to be human.

I’m going to encourage us to listen with two things- neither of which is the obvious- your ears. 

1)  Listen with Curiosity. If you don’t care about the answer, don’t ask the question. 

2) Listen with Empathy.  The cynicism and critique of our culture has seeped not only into our hearts, but our ears. Highly recommend you connect with Brittany Johnson for some best practices to actively listen with empathy!

I can’t encourage you enough, to be curious, empathetic, and genuine. In listening to others you are not a grand inquisitor or interrogator.  You are a friend. A fellow pilgrim and listening to others on the is an incredible way to show love to others on the path.

When we started Missio in Mesa we started with Listening.

We learned the first posture of the church is prayer and prayer necessarily involves listening to God which led us to want to be more mindful of how we listened to our neighbors. 

• Some friends started listening in downtown Mesa. 

• Some of us started listening to marginalized neighbors at paz.

• Others listened to the voices of homeless friends. 

• Some listened to elected officials

• Some listened to small business owners.

• Others listened to voices in their neighborhoods. 

• Others listened to the voices of those in downtown Mesa. 

What we get to experience today as a church is partly the result of people doing really good listening. What we will experience over the next 10 years will be a result of us doing the same today!

THIS WEEK

• what are some ways we can intentionally listen to our neighbors or coworkers this week?

• How can we practice listening as an act of love?"

• As you sit with someone in your MC, your spouse, your bf/gf, or even a neighbor this week try this, just ask them how you are as a listener. It’s a trusted relationship and your curiosity will open a door to help you grow.

• Practitioner Tip: Jesus was a master listener, but also asked good questions. So as you ask good questions in conversations, you got to listen not just think about your next question.

• Anoother great recommendation is to not ask questions that you wouldn’t answer. Meaning, if they say “how about you” and you’d shut down, don’t ask them that question. 

BLESS Rhythms: Listening To God

Listening to God

If we want to follow Jesus, we have to listen to him. You heard that right- I don’t know any way to be a disciple of Jesus (or fully alive human) without hearing God’s voice and doing what he says.

If we want to be good listeners to others, we need to start by listening to God. You can’t pour out what you don’t have, right? And listening to God isn’t just about reading the Bible or praying with our requests—it’s about sitting in silence, being attentive to what God might be saying to us."

In the Gospel of Matthew, we’ve seen Jesus often retreat to quiet places to pray and listen to the Father. One of the most powerful examples is in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). Right before His arrest, Jesus didn’t rush into action—He withdrew, spent time in prayer, and listened to the Father’s will. Even while knowing the storm that lie ahead, Jesus chose to stay present in the moment, listening, even though the answer He received was difficult. His willingness to listen shaped His actions and ultimately brought rescue to a groaning creation. We see him listening for the Fathers voice in the quiet, and in the storms, and we would do well to do the same.

When we carve out time to listen to God, it’s like tuning our hearts to the right frequency.

But how do we do that? What does listening to God actually look like in our daily lives? We want to give five different ways we can listen to God each tuning our hearts, minds, and bodies to continue in the kingdom current. We hope these are helpful for you as you continue to discern God’s voice and lead others to do the same.

• Scripture: "The Bible is the most direct way we hear from God. It’s His written Word, available to us anytime. When we read Scripture, we’re not just gaining knowledge; we’re opening ourselves to be shaped by God’s voice. Tom Ashbrook says, ‘Scripture is a doorway into the presence of God.’ It invites us into a conversation with Him. Think about Matthew 4:4, when Jesus says, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ The words we hear from God sustain us, just like food sustains our bodies." Remember, hearing God’s voice includes doing what it says… just look at that parable of the Sower.

• Prayer: Listening to God in prayer is more than just bringing a list of requests. It’s also about creating space for silence and stillness. Sometimes, we need to stop talking and simply sit in God’s presence. As Tom Ashbrook puts it, ‘Prayer is not just about asking; it’s about being.’ In Matthew 6:6, Jesus instructs us to 'go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.' In the quiet, we give God room to speak to our hearts. It’s not about being hidden, but it’s about nurturing a private life where God speaks and we listen. And we speak and God listens. It’s not about show, pagentry, and likes- it’s about being with Jesus and hearing what he has to say.

• Community: God often speaks through others. Think of Matthew 18:20, where Jesus says, ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’ Yes, this verse is in context about church discipline, but it’s also about discernment. There’s a unique dimension to the people of God gathering and speaking into shared issues and concerns as they together listen to the Spirit. When we listen to trusted brothers and sisters in Christ, we’re often hearing God’s wisdom, encouragement, or even correction through their words. Ruth Haley Barton reminds us that ‘community helps us discern God’s voice together.’ This is why being part of a community matters—it helps us sharpen our listening skills- and is part of us reflecting the image of God back to our friends.

• Creation: We can listen to God through His creation. The Psalms are full of these references, but for our series we are sticking primarily with Matthew and as Matthew 6:26 reminds us, ‘Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.’ In the beauty and order of the natural world, we see God’s care and provision, and we’re reminded that He is speaking through everything He has made. Sometimes, a quiet walk in nature can help us hear what our busy minds are blocking out. One author says “Creation itself is a symphony of God’s voice, inviting us to listen and reflect.’ Slow down. “Touch Grass” as the kids say. Be in God’s creation as you listen to God’s voice.

• Missionally: Finally, we listen missionally—seeking to hear where God is already at work in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. It’s about tuning our ears to the cries and needs around us and asking, ‘God, where are You moving? How can I join You in this work?’ This can open doors to conversations that lead to deeper relationships and opportunities to share the gospel and life. 

Next Steps

• Take fifteen minutes today and ask God “Where are you at work, and How can I join you in that?”

• Use your examen and reflect on God’s voice throughout your day. What have you noticed him saying? When were you distracted from hearing his voice? Be curious about that.

• Which of the five ways of listening to God comes more naturally to you? Which takes some work? Have this conversation within your DNA group, marriage, or MC.

• Trace “Listen” through the True Story. See how the act of hearing God’s voice and doing what he says shapes the ENTIRE Bible!