Practices

The following are themes that we in CA believe capture to a large extent the heart of the mission that we have been called to: 

1. Generous hospitality to others - Hospitality means, "welcoming the stranger." In CA we want to welcome strangers to Jesus by showing generous hospitality whenever possible. This means being inclusive of people who God brings into our midst, opening our lives and homes and using our resources to make friends for the kingdom. Throughout Scripture hospitality is emphasized:

  • Romans 12:13 – "Practice hospitality"
  • 1 Timothy 5:10 – widows are put on the relief list if they have showed hospitality
  • 1 Peter 4:9 – "offer hospitality to one another without grumbling"
  • 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8 – hospitality is a qualification to be an elder
  • Hebrews 13:2 – "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing, some people have entertained angels."

We want to open our lives and homes to people on a regular basis, inviting them into the community of grace, love, acceptance, forgiveness, and affirmation that God has made us a part of.
 

2. Lavish spreading of the Gospel - This means lifting Christ up in our conversations, bringing him into view for others.

  • John 12:32 - Jesus said if he would be lifted up he would draw all people to himself
  • John 3:12-13 - Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life
  • 1 Corinthians. 1:23-24 - But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14 - But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 – He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

We want to "re-Jesus" the cities of Europe and beyond. Church planting comes out of sowing the good news of Jesus. This happens most authentically by following the example of Jesus in His incarnation – embodying and living out the Gospel in our cities.  

3. Passionate devotion to Christ – This means looking to Christ and honoring him in all we do. It also includes worship when we gather together. 

  • 1 Peter 3:15 - In our hearts to "set apart Christ as Lord"
  • Hebrews 10:23-25 – Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
  • John 15:7 - As we "abide in" Christ and his words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish and it will be given to us—and we will bear much fruit.
  • Ephesians 3:16-19 – I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.

As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and live in its environment we are refreshed in the reality of God's existence. Passionate devotion to Christ also involves worship with other believers.  

4. Constant "as you go" disciple-making - The phrase "Christianity is more caught than taught" applies here. 

  • Matthew 28:19 - Jesus said, "As you go, make disciples..."

Involving people with us as we live our lives is the informal part of disciple making. Thus, we involve others with us as we live our lives and go about our business.  

5. Risky community, mission, and service - True community involves risk: risking hurt, misunderstanding, being overlooked or undervalued. Rather than run away from these, we lean into them (unless it is abusive).  

  • John 12:24-25 - I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man (or woman) who loves his (or her) life will lose it, while the man (or woman) who hates his (or her) life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
  • Matthew 10:39 – Whoever finds his (or her) life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:11 – For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is seen is eternal.