You will often hear us use the word ‘Ekklesia’ when we talk about the work and activities that we do through Inspire Community, this is because when Jesus spoke to his disciples in Matthew 16:18 saying… “I will build my church…”, the original word Jesus used was ‘ekklesia’, so in his instructions to them he actually said…”I will build my ekklesia…”
Why is this different or important? Well, the words mean different things, with ‘church’ meaning assembly or gathering, whilst ‘ekklesia’ means a group of people specifically sent out to make one place look like another, and in their context Jesus was referencing the Roman Ekklesia present in the land of Israel who had been sent out to make it look like Rome.
Jesus was therefore letting his disciples know that at the core of his mission he too was sending them, as Kingdom Ekklesia, out into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, and to demonstrate its presence through their lives, to be a positive influence on society so it looks and feels like the Kingdom of Heaven is close by, rather than asking them to merely gather together in groups or congregations.
This ‘sending out’ way of working forms one of the main foundations for how we have chosen to operate. We are called to be a city on hill, and to be salt and light in dark places, protecting and preserving, and giving refuge and hope living amongst people rather than separate from them.
In the sections below we have sought to explain a bit more about what this means, exploring its original biblical roots, and then considering how it affects and influences the way that we want to meet together, encourage one another, build one another up, and share our faith.
Other menu options in this section
Ekklesia – an introduction by Ed Silvoso
In this short video Ed shares three intriguing questions that led him on a journey of discovery and to prayerfully search the scriptures before writing his latest book, “Ekklesia.”
This introductory session explains how the Ekklesia was first established, and how understanding what Jesus originally intended will informs us about how we should live today, which will impart hope for you and your destiny! From these insights we can see how our own journey of faith might be shaped as we seek to share the kingdom of God in our own times.
Ekklesia – meeting together in homes by Steve Uppall
We have started a relationship with the All Nations Movement as they have a similar desire to our own to follow after the Lord as He leads His followers into a ‘new wineskin’, and the ‘new wine’ that God has been speaking about to His body.
In this short video Steve shares about the journey they have been on which has led them to moving towards a home church format for their gatherings. From these insights we can see echo’s of how God has been leading us on our own journey of faith, so we are excited about sharing this helpful explanation that reflects some of the steps we are exploring too.
The Underground Network – mission through the microchurch
As we have been journeying with the vision for Inspire Community, and writing down what we believe we have heard God speak to us, we have discovered that we are not alone, and that God has already been saying the same thing to other people with a like minded passion.
We have come across the Underground Network, with their passion to see every-day believers respond to their calling to be church (ekklesia) which they work out through microchurches, places that have a missional calling to serve and support the communities where they are based or called. Everything that they do is aimed at unlocking the potential to create empowering missional culture, to send and serve modern day community based missionaries.
They have produced a documentary, see below, which helps tell their story.
So, we were truly amazed, and greatly encouraged to see that the vision of the Underground, expressed in this documentary, resonates very closely with what we believe God has called us to build here in this area. We have loved watching it, and it help you to visualise what it means to be modern day ekklesia; apostolic kingdom communities serving, supporting, and making disciples just like Jesus commanded us to do all those years ago.
THE UNDERGROUND – OUR STORY
For over a decade, we have uncovered how to interface missional theory with organizational practice. This unique paradigm generates an ecosystem where both high missional creativity and relationship thrive. The environment is uncontrolled yet balanced, wildly creative but connected and serves every missional person in our city. Check out our story to learn more.