As a community of faith we are talking through the road to following Christ.  We are studying what Jesus said, then how the early church lived out that teaching & then asking ourselves are we on the same road?  Are we traveling the same direction?  Are we moving on the same path?

Last week, we talked about Covenant Gospel Partnership, we looked at the life of Jesus with his disciples in John 15:15-17 then we looked at Paul’s relationships in Phillipi in Phil 1 & with Timothy, Luke and John Mark in 2Tim 4.

After the service over 30 people joined the Avenue not as members but as Covenant partners.  It was a very exciting day!

Here’s why we do covenant partnership & not membership.

Membership sounds entitled, in our culture it denotes receiving benefits, as the American Express commercial says, membership “has its privileges.”  It leads people to say that’s my seat on Sunday, that’s my ministry to run, and don’t you dare disrupt my world!

Covenant has always defined relationship.  From Abraham to God, from Jonathan and David to every marriage I perform as a pastor, even now as we are in relationship with a covenant God.  Covenants define relationship!

First, we are people of Covenant. Covenant represents a commitment to do whatever it takes to see a relationship work. It represents a willingness to commit to responsibilities, duties, or obligations in exchange for specific relational connectedness. Covenant people are loyal people. Dedicated people. Responsible people.  As Christians, our covenant faithfulness is a reflection of the nature and character of God – the same faithful God who keeps covenant – in our lives!

Second, we are Partners. Partners with Christ in the cause of the Gospel; and, subsequently, partners with one another. Partnership implies active participation and involvement. Partnership means sharing together common goals, common challenges, common experiences, common resources and common achievements. Partnership reminds us of the significance of our “togetherness” with one another in a world that is dominated by individuality.

We believe the church is a FAMILY on MISSION together.

“The heart of true fellowship is self-sacrificing conformity to a shared vision.”

The way this fleshes out is this simple equation -

Common Mission + Shared Sacrifice + Gospel Partnership = Brotherhood (Community)

Alan Hirsch calls this COMMUNITAS.

He would say that we don’t find community in proximity, or in common interests or goals.  Community doesn’t just happen because we hang out together & watch football, listen to the same bands or like the same activities.

Community happens when we have……….

a common mission (for us that’s to be a Community living like Jesus, Changed by Him & Changing the city for His glory)

A shared sacrifice towards that mission – Sacrificing time, treasures & our hearts for the mission & for each other

A gospel partnership in the midst of that mission (living like a family is supposed to live) – Phil 1 – “I have you in my heart”

Are you involved in real gospel partnership?

Are you sharing in a common mission?

Are you sacrificing with others to make that mission happen?

If not why?  If not you are missing out on the most life giving relationships we can have on this earth!

If you are interested in any way in joining us on our mission & being a part of a covenant gospel partnership with us email us @ info@avechurch.com & we would love to grab coffee or lunch & talk through the specifics.  Also we will be having a partnership class on Jan 22nd following both services just comment below if you would like to come!