You may have heard Tommy and Leo discuss emphasizing missional living more in the coming year. For more details go to our blog post.

We have come up with 2 values to focus on this year as a church. First, Service - we value showing up for each other in service with the time and resources available to us. Second, Community - we value connection with each other, walking alongside each other and taking part in the pain and growth of each other’s lives. Every week, we will communicate with each other an emphasis on one habit for missional living that reflects one or both of these values, whether it be sharing a meal with others, educating yourself on a particular justice topic, or reaching out to someone in your life who is suffering. We are often doing this work in the half circle/missional space quietly on the individual level. We want to bring comfort and encouragement to having this conversation as openly as we talk about the other "circles" - like house churches and Sunday gatherings.

January 2025 - Communicate encouragement and affirmation for the joys being experienced in the lives of those around you

Pursue a conversation with someone in your life each week this month, at least one who is outside your church community. Encourage and affirm their growth or successes. This practice seeks to cultivate a true inner joy for something good happening in the life of another, intentionally recognizing the temptation for comparison to our own lives or centering ourselves.

Here’s how we’re practicing it, but feel free to deviate:

Week 1 - family member

Week 2 - coworker/outside extracurricular environment

Week 3 - someone in church community

Week 4- friend

We’ll start the conversation about something we know they do well, or ask about any wins or excitement they have coming up for their new year ahead and celebrate with or encourage them.