Mission Shaped Communities FAQ's

Frequently Asked questions 

1. Can I join 2 MSC’s?

The simple answer to that is of course ‘Yes’. However, very practically an MSC’s aim is to build real Community, Deepen your discipleship, and consistently go into a missional context. So our recommendation would be to join 1 MSC and give it your best shot in every way, getting completely stuck in to the relationships, the spiritual disciplines with those people, and the vision for mission! We are not sure you could do this effectively in 2 MSC’s!

2. What about husbands and wives? Supposing our vision takes us in two different directions and into 2 separate MSC’s?

That is always hard, and the reality is that you know your own heart and circumstances better than we do, so there is no straightforward answer. I guess we would recommend spending and serving together as much a possible in one MSC, making one focus a priority. But you would have to decide based on time available, and focus of ministry and motivation. Talk to us for further advice.

3. What about giving, do I now give to my MSC?

The local Church is the primary place of Mission and Ministry – it is God’s vehicle for the bringing in of His kingdom! All New Testament teaching on giving is set in the context of the local Church, and Tithes, offerings and regular giving are God’s way of supporting the ministry of the local Church. These tithes and offerings are for the support of Christian Leaders, Widows and the poor, and the ministry of the local church to the world. So very simply giving continues to be into TCF. No MSC should be setting up their own Bank Accounts or financial administration, other than for simple ‘one off’ collections for events or needs you agree to share together e.g. a gift to someone in need in the group, or paying for meals together etc. These ‘one off’ gifts can of course be as often as you desire over and above your regular giving to the local church – there is no ceiling on generous giving!

4. What does an MSC achieve that is not already being achieved by our congregation?

An MSC will Build Community, and so will replace Cell Groups. The reality is that Cells are not entirely effective in each congregation, and many people are not actually attending one at all. So MSC’s will build us into a stronger community of believers.

An MSC will Deepen Discipleship. Discipleship does not take place effectively in a congregational setting of 50+ people, it happens best in small & mid sized groups, where we build authentic relationship and spend more time together than we would in a local congregational meeting.

An MSC will Grow through Mission – It will consistently serve into a specific area of mission in our local community. This is possibly the greatest gain, freeing up time and giving a real focus on reaching out to people consistently week in, week out. Our congregations (although doing some great things!) often only engage in specific mission activity occasionally, and usually on the basis of inviting people to ‘come to us’. 

So in short an MSC should enable us to Build Stronger Community, Deepen Discipleship, and Grow through Mission.

 
5. What happens to the Cell Group that I am in?

There are a number of options if you are in a Cell Group. (We have to realise the reality, however, that many people in TCF are not presently in a Cell Group). The group could, after consulting with us as leaders, agree to disband. The group could together agree to join a specific MSC. The group could continue to meet for a time in order to transition effectively into an MSC at a (not too) later date.

Children’s and Youth Cells will continue, as these are mostly very effective, and be included into the Youth and Children MSC’s.

 
6. When will MSC’s meet?

We will encourage MSC’s to meet each week in some way. This may be in small groups, as a whole community, or whilst engaging in specific missional activity. Some of them may meet on a Sunday, instead of meeting with the whole of TCF. It really will be down to when is best for the members of each MSC to meet, after consultation with us as leaders.

MSC’s will not meet on the weekend of the First Sunday celebrations.

 
7. I am not sure which MSC I should join, what do I do?

Firstly, don’t worry. Secondly, I know you are not the only one thinking this. We’d suggest coming along and hearing the vision for specific MSC’s being shared over the next 7 weeks, pray and ask God to share his heart with you, and then see what happens. If at the end of this you are still not sure, maybe chat with one of us as leaders – I am sure we’d be able to help you.