Daniel Im

Pastor + Author

Mid-Size Communities

Mid-Size Communities Part 4: The Theological Rationale

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In part 3, I shared a FAQ list regarding mid-size communities (MSCs). You can get a good feeling as to what an MSC is by reading through the FAQs, or by looking at this infographic, but what’s the theological rationale for them anyway? Are MSCs just a repackaged version of Adult Bible Fellowship? Are they just the new hot thing? Or are they merely a different version of missional communities?

Well, let’s dig in. In order to look at the theological rationale for MSCs, we first need to ask more of a fundamental question: What is the church and what is her mission?

Is the Church, as Hans Kung suggests, the visible church building that people can belong to, as well as the invisible global Church composed of all true believers? Or is the Church better described, in a biblical way, as “God’s household” (Eph 2:19), “the body of Christ” (1 Cor 12:27), and a place where all of the biblical “one another’s” are lived out?

There is nothing wrong with describing the Church in those ways, but perhaps a better way to understand the Church is to begin with the end in mind? What if the Church was defined and understood through the lens of its mission? If it were, then the Church would not fall into the trap of being a loving community for its own sake or be mistaken as a rotary club. Although William Rush states that “the more the Church understands its own nature, the more it gets hold of its own vocation,” I actually believe the opposite is just as true. The more the Church understands its own mission or vocation, the more it will grab hold of its own nature.

So what is the mission that God has given the Church?

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Mid-Size Communities Part 3: FAQ

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The following is not an exhaustive FAQ list, nor does it contain all information regarding mid-size communities (MSC). It is merely a brief snapshot of MSCs. The upcoming posts will reveal more information regarding MSCs. What are Mid-Size Communities?

  • Mid-Size Communities are a new way to think about community. They are a group of 20-50 people who journey together to celebrate, to grow, and to be a blessing to those they live, work, and play with.
  • A community that is formed around a common affinity, geography, or societal need – and this gathering point becomes the mission focus of the group.
  • A community, not just a scheduled meeting. So typically, every other week, there is a large group gathering, but smaller groups for study and get togethers happen in the off weeks.
    • For example, I lead a Young Families MSC and we have formed around a common affinity – young families. This affinity then becomes our mission focus – so my MSC of young families exists to reach out to other young families in our city. So everything we do, from our every other week gathering to the things we do in the off weeks, all relate to young families and reaching other young families.
  • A group of people on mission with one another – they are the church.
  • A place where you belong before you believe.
  • A sign, instrument, and foretaste of the Kingdom of God.
  • Not a large small group nor a small weekend gathering.
  • Small enough to care, but large enough to dare.
  • Big enough that you won’t be the centre of attention when you’re new, but small enough that you’ll find someone you connect with.
  • An open, inclusive, and safe environment where friendships are formed and we can discover who we could potentially grow a “deeper” relationship with.

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Mid-Size Communities Part 2: An Infographic

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One of the best ways to describe a concept is through an infographic! So this infographic gives a good summary of what a mid-size community is.

Definition: Mid-Size Communities are a new way to think about community. They are a group of 20-50 people who journey together to celebrate, to grow, and to be a blessing to those they live, work, and play with.

In part 3, we will continue our exploration of mid-size communities by diving down and looking at some frequently asked questions regarding mid-size communities.

Here’s the infographic:

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Mid-Size Communities Part 1: An Introduction

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Over the next while, I’ll be revealing the research and work that I’ve done on mid-size communities. It’s been a two year journey and this weekend we are introducing the concept publicly at our services (www.beulah.ca).

Check out this in-house produced movie that will introduce some of the history around us engaging in this conversation.

This movie is part 1 of this series and the introduction to mid-size communities.

Check out part 2 for an infographic explaining mid-size communities.

A New Form of Community?

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In the 1960s, Edward T. Hall developed a theory based on the relationship between space, culture, community, and belonging. His research is becoming increasingly important for us as we discern how to better engage in community.

After all, the biblical mandate for us is to be in community, but what does that actually look like? The wineskins can change, can’t they?

  • Public Space (50+ people present) – Our weekend gathering or a sporting event is what the public space looks like. You belong, you are part of a community, you somewhat get to know those around you, but there is not much of an opportunity to really get to know others.
  • Social Space (20-50 people present) – This is a party-like environment where we are safe to decide who we would like to grow a deeper relationship with. It’s big enough that a newcomer won’t feel like they’re the centre of attention, yet it’s small enough that no one will fall through the cracks. It’s big enough that everyone will find someone to connect with, but it’s small enough that meaningful conversation can take place, without it being uncomfortable. You belong, you are part of a community, and it’s a safe place to take that next step.
  • Personal Space (8-12 people present) – This is the typical small group environment, where you intentionally are connecting with others to go deeper, share life together, pray with one another, and allow yourself to be known. Private information is shared, but this isn’t the place where you are completely vulnerable and baring your whole soul.
  • Intimate Space ( 1-3 people present) – This is an environment that you let only a few people into. It could be a spouse, a best friend, or an accountability group. This is an environment where nothing is held back and there is a lot of intentionality in sharpening one another, being accountable to one another, and being intentional in community.

In churches, we have been very intentional with the public and personal space, and sometimes with the intimate space, but not really with the social space.

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