One might think of a missional community (such as GCU) as a path with a series of steppingstones. Ideally, each person joining the community will eventually step on each of the stones mentioned below. However, not everyone will. A missional community understands this and accepts it. For example, some may only step on the first two stones and go no further. For whatever reason, these individuals have decided not to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior at this point in their life. Even with this rejection, a missional community understands that they have still been able to welcome and love that person. They also understand that God may not be done with him or her yet.
Here are the steppingstones:
- Stone #1 - Welcome: We welcome everyone into the community. "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" (Romans 15:7, ESV).
- Stone #2 - Love: We show Christ’s love to all. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).
- Stone #3 - Believe: We encourage and pray that everyone will accept God’s gracious gift of salvation through Jesus. "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21).
- Stone #4 - Grow Into Maturity: We disciple and equip all believers so they can train others also. "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:2).
- Stone #5 – Flourish: We help each other to seek God’s will, be faithful, and grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord and others. "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:3-4).
May you go forth and be missional. Who knows…? You might be the one person God uses to help a tired, hungry soul find Happy Valley.
1 The only exception to this is students in the College of Theology. Since these students are preparing for Christian ministry, all are required to sign a statement of faith. For the reasons just mentioned, the College of Theology is a covenantal community.
2 The 80% percentage comes from GCU’s most recent Integration of Faith, Learning and Work Survey (2021 data).
Approved by Faculty for the College of Theology on Sept. 12, 2022.