Leveraging Your Home For The Gospel
by Nick Cooper
It was almost 3 years ago when I first came to New City Church. Prior experiences with church ranged from small Southern Baptist congregations with weekly programs—all the way to a megachurch with large events for youth and Sunday worship experiences for the Body of Believers.
I still remember walking through the doors of New City and being greeted by the Connect team. From the moment I walked in, I knew that there was something different about this place. It wasn’t until I ventured out to my first Missional Community that I realized what was different—it was the intentionality and hospitality of the people. Never had I felt so at home and connected with a church as I was at New City.
But what is a Missional Community? Why is it important?
At New City we believe that life and ministry, the “One Anothers” of scripture are to be lived out in Missional Communities (MC’s). MC’s meet within the homes of individuals at New City, and they serve as a place where the gospel is both proclaimed and displayed to believers and non-believers.
I had never been involved in anything like this growing up. Small groups were a thing, Bible studies happened on Wednesday nights and Sundays—but the idea of meeting in someone’s house, sharing a meal and doing life with other believers was totally new to me. We see this very thing happening in scripture though. Read Acts 2:42-47 and you will see where the early church was worshiping together: breaking bread together, praising God together, and opening their homes and lives to one another.
Maybe you’re like me and you have never experienced anything like this before; this whole idea of opening your life and home may seem a little strange. It has taken me three years of living out my life in community to realize just how incredible the Church is. The early disciples and believers had the right idea—doing life TOGETHER.
From my personal experience with MC’s, I can tell you that had it not been for people loving me well, inviting me into their home, and showing me love and hospitality—I probably wouldn’t be at New City or in Macon, GA today. In the past I’ve identified with Willis’ and Clements’ description of busyness in The Simplest Way to Change the World, “We run through life at a frantic pace and then finally get home, lock the dead bolt, and isolate ourselves, hoping to gain the strength we need to face the next day (34-35).” But my whole view of my life has changed—my view of ministry and mission has changed. I now realize that I am being called to so much more, I am being called to community.
I am thankful for my MC, who has shown me the love and grace of the gospel. I am thankful for a family that has spoken truth with me (Ephesians 4:15), served me (Galatians 5:13), loved me (John 13:34), and showed hospitality to me (1 Peter 4:9-11).
During this strange time that we are in, when we are physically separated from our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can still live out our identities as a Family of Missionary Servants through our MC’s. If you are not yet a part of one, I would encourage you to visit our website, https://www.newcitychurches.org/missional-communities. We’d love to help you get connected to a virtual gathering!
As things will eventually get back to normal, there will be many people in our neighborhoods, our schools, and even our places of business that will be looking to gather in community once again. Willis and Clements remind us, “In a culture that is growing away from a fondness and familiarity with Christianity, hospitality gives us a unique avenue to exhibit the gospel and provides a way forward for us in a changing culture” (55). Pray that the Lord will help us remember that, because this will be our opportunity to step up and lead by leveraging our homes for the gospel.
We have an opportunity to change the world from our living rooms. By opening our homes and leveraging them for the Mission of God, we can and will begin to see lives changed and hearts transformed by the Gospel.
Willis, D. & Clements, B. (2017). The Simplest Way to Change the World. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.