We, the Church, are one. In a great, global communion, we share one faith, one hope, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephes. 4:4-6). We come together in Koiné (coin-a). Koiné is the Greek word for “common” and is also the root word for community. It is same the word used in Acts 2:44, where it is said they “had all things in common”. That passage speaks of a shared life, with a shared purpose – the kingdom of God. Moreover, 1 Corinthians 12:7 explains that even our spiritual gifts are to be used for the “Koiné good” or “common good”. It is when we come together in common for the gospel that I believe “Church” takes place.
Now, imagine rich, concentrations of communities filled with passionate followers of Christ, whose mission is to reach their local neighborhood – the Lakewood neighborhood, SMU, downtown, M streets, or Uptown, and calling it theirs for the kingdom of God. This group would number between 30 and 50 individuals within each Area Church, living out the gospel of Christ in their own neighborhood through natural, relational methods. Everything they would need (men’s ministry, women’s ministry, youth ministry, discipleship, Biblical education, evangelism) would happen within the Area Church in natural, integrative ways lead by their pastor and other leaders. They would gather for a time of community and teaching on a weeknight. After a pastor led discussion on a given topic, smaller, core groups would be formed to allow more intimate dialogue and sharing. Everyone would stay in their given core group from week to week.
All of these Area Churches would come together in Koiné (common) to worship God for what He has done through the work of the Area Church and, and to be encouraged by the shared stories from the various Area Churches. The Koiné organization will support the Area Churches through the tithes and other forms of support. The Koiné organization will also provides a time of worship and inspiration during the Sunday morning gatherings.
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