Communion
Our spiritual unity with God and with one another is reflected in the word Communion.
Communion is one of those words that tends to get lost in religiosity. Certainly it describes the taking of bread and wine in memory of Jesus’ sacrifice. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. We as a fellowship are beginning to understand more fully that to follow Jesus is not about laws and regulations nor even imitating Jesus as a role model. It is about genuine relationships: real fellowship with the Father through the Son in the communion of the Holy Spirit, and therefore, in Christ, real fellowship with one another.
Communion comes from the Greek word "koinonia" which has to do with partnership, working and participating together, communicating, fellowshipping and sharing. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one Being in perfect communion, and Jesus prayed that his disciples would share in that relationship and reflect it to the world (John 14:20; 17:23). “The triune God is in the business of creating community, in such a way that we are never more truly human, never more truly persons, than when we find our true being in communion” (James B. Torrance, Worship, Community and The Triune God of Grace, p. 74).
Romans 5:8-11 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s judgment. 10 For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God. (Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Rom 5:8-11). Wheaton: Tyndale House)
The purpose of God's grace is to lead us to communion with him. To live in loving, grace based, relationship and fellowship, to be partners in life with him, and with one another. So Grace Communion International focuses on the central activity of members participating in the life of God, together--congregations and individuals around the world, building genuine community in Christ in the bond of the Holy Spirit.
 |
Watch a short video on the life of communion God is building; One in Christ |
 |
One in Christ, God is building community – a life of communion with himself and with one another. That's what the gospel is about.(2.73 minutes) Watch Listen |
Goal: To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the message that God is reconciling the world to himself and offering forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ. This is a goal Christians everywhere share.
Mission:
"Living and Sharing the Gospel"
We are committed to living and sharing the good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ.
The church seeks to fulfill this mission by:
- Building healthy, Christ-centered congregations that are sanctuaries of worship, friendship, and nurturing pastoral care.
- Providing sound biblical teaching through congregations, media, and personal outreach in relevant, meaningful forms for people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
- Expressing the love of God to all through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
- Equipping people for Christian service so that the gospel can be known, understood, and experienced.
- Sharing in the work of the gospel with the broader Christian community, acknowledging that we can learn from one another and that Christ’s love goes beyond denominational boundaries.