How can the historical church - ekklesia -translate to who we are called to be as church today? Stories of Jesus and the early “church” show us how we can be a true community of faith, across racial, socioeconomic and other boundaries that so frequently divide us. Engage in interactive conversation and activities that explore what it means to be a faith community today.

1. WELCOME!
The Practice Discipleship Initiative
November 3, 2015

2. Introducing…
Dawn Trautman
Dawntrautman.com

3. Practice Discipleship Initiative
Leadership Development for the sake of Faith Formation

4. “STORY”
1. “Living in Stories”
2. “Story of Scripture”
3. “Story of Place and Displacement”
4. “Story of Adolescence”
5. “Story of Self and Others”
6. “Story of Service”
7. “Story of Faith Community”

5. Introducing…
John Cummings
Grace in Action
Story of Faith Commuinty

6. Story of Faith Community
“Does Church Really Matter?”

7. Learning Outcomes
Participants will…
Have honest conversation that allows them to thoughtfully
consider if our current way of being church is or is not
fulfilling our Gospel calling
Leave with a clear understanding of how the historical
church or ‘ekklesia’ community functioned.
Create a clear vision of what a faith community based on
the historical 'ekklesia' could be and be given clear tools to
enact these visions in their own context.

8. Opening Film
Featuring individuals who don't consider
themselves Christian being asked,
“Does church really matter?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=j8WR0LGN4Ws

9. Film Reflection Questions:
What feelings or reactions came up for you when you saw
this?
What pieces could you relate to? What parts made you feel
nervous?
Would these people be welcome in your church as it is?
Do you think they would feel a sense of connection to God
in your church as it is?
Do the people in the video inspire you to change in your
own church context? If so, how?

10. Bible Study
Acts 2:43-47
43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were
being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and
had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions
and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had
need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the
temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad
and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of
all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number
those who were being saved.

11. What does “church” really mean?
When you hear the word “church”
what other words immediately
come to mind?

12. Ekklesia
Is the word we translate as “church” from
the bible
Definitions - “those called out”, those called
together”, or “the assembly”.
Literal definition - “democratic assembly”
In ancient Greece, it was the assembly of
citizens who came together to make political
decisions for their local town or village

13. Ekklesia in Jesus' Day
Rome took away the power of the ekklesia
when it conquered Greece
Rome concentrated decision making
powers in the hands of wealthy elites and
Roman authorities
Ordinary citizens had no political power

14. Jesus' Ekklesia and the “Nation of God”
“The kingdom of God” would be like saying “nation of
God” or “governance of God” today
Jesus establish a new “democractic assembly” for the
coming “governance of God”
His ekklesia gathered in homes over a meal
They practiced the values that this new “governance
of God” would embody
Saw themselves as for-runners, preparing the way for
the coming of God's rule that would replace Roman
rule

15. In Summary
In short, the early Ekklesia, or church, was in
actuality a radical religious movement with overt
political motives, that intended to replace the
oppressive and unjust order of the Roman
Empire with an order based on Jesus' teachings
and God's covenant with the Jewish people:
one in which justice, humanity,and love of one's
neighbor were at the very center of all decisions
and the structure of society.

16. Bible Study Reflection Questions
After hearing this reading and learning about the
historical meaning of the Ekklesia, what words or
phrases come to your mind?
What does this text and the early church
understanding of the Ekklesia have to say about who
has access to resources and political power and who
does not?
How do you think this historical version of the church
in the beginning compares with what church is today?
What’s the same? What’s different?

17. Ideas for applying the concept of “ekklesia” to the
faith community that you are a part of:
One-to-ones are a great tool to engage people
outside the walls of your church. Set up meetings with
people in your neighborhood or city.
Exploring peoples own interests and creating projects
based on what people care about and not only around
what you and/or your congregation care about.
Create a culture of ongoing relationships and
accountability through practice of one-to-ones within
your congregation

18. Closing Film
Watch a second video, this time featuring the
question:
“where have you found meaningful faith
community?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zAHqxp5gCpw

19. Closing Film Reflection
After seeing both videos, have any of your
assumptions about church been challenged or
changed?
Where do you find yourself authentically involved
in faith community inside OR outside of your
church?

20. QUESTION TIME
What questions do you have about this
presentation and/or how to put the
content we've talked about into
practice?

21. Closing Meditation:
My Commitment to Building the Ekklesia
Think of a commitment of one thing you will
do to build the Ekklesia -
the church as a movement of liberation and
justice

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February 2016
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26. Thanks for joining us!