Community
At The Painted Door, we’re not just interested in holding events but want very much for people to connect in authentic community.
We believe that all people are made in God’s image, and because God is a community of Father, Son, and Spirit, we all have something in us that longs for that same kind of communal connection. It’s our hope and prayer that everyone who calls The Painted Door home will find such community.
How can I get connected in community at The Painted Door?
The best way to meet people and build real friendships at The Painted Door is to join up with a Gospel Community. These are groups of people that attend church together, share meals together, pray together, study the Bible together, go to movies together, etc. Our Gospel Communities use a social networking website called The City to stay connected and share their lives. To sign up for The City or to simply request more information on Gospel Communities, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Why are the groups called Gospel Communities?
We call our groups Gospel Communities because that’s what they are. They are communities of people united around the gospel and committed to living out the implications of the gospel in their lives. That means, primarily, that these are communities defined by grace, grace from God and grace for each other. They are safe places, where it’s OK to have struggles, doubts or questions. They are places where very different people can find common ground as fellow children of God. In a Gospel Community, everyone is equally valued and loved, and no energy is wasted comparing ourselves or trying to pretend that we’re impressive. We are free to just be real.
What should I expect at a Gospel Community gathering?
Every Gospel Community looks different, because it’s made up of different people with different interests, schedules, and passions. Some communities might share a meal together one night a week. Others might volunteer time at various charities or get together to study the Bible. But no matter the specifics, every Gospel Community at The Painted Door aims to live out four basic rhythms:
- Fellowship: We pray for each other, study God’s word, share meals, and just enjoy hanging out.
- Hospitality: We look to bless those outside our community with invitations to join us for meals or parties or whatever else they might enjoy.
- Compassion: We volunteer our time and give away our money to serve hurting and marginalized people.
- Participation: We join in with what our neighborhoods are doing and are active in the life of our city.
