Many of us think of participating in a church community as optional in being a Christian. Some people think that we can grow and follow Jesus on our own, without actively participating in community. This, however, could not be further from the gospel. Community is at the heart of the gospel.

The gospel is the good news that Jesus came, died for us, and is coming back. Each leg of this tripod of the gospel shows us that community is at the heart of the gospel. First, Jesus came to inaugurate a new community of God, which he called the Kingdom of God. Second, he died for us, not only to reconcile us to God, but also to one another, so that we can become a new community. Third, he is coming back to complete this new community into perfection. The focus of the gospel is not just the individual’s redemption; it is a creation of a new community of God. So, the vision is to become a radically giving, caring, counter- cultural, inclusive, and honest community that loves one another and loves our neighbors. This is at the heart of our call as a church.