our “rule”
Missio Dei is committed to Jesus’ way of peace, simplicity, prayer, and hospitality.
Missio Dei lives to embody Jesus’ presence—particularly on the West Bank. The West Bank is a diverse neighborhood of immigrants and punks and artists and homeless people and students and professionals.
This is our rule of life (the word “rule” is an ancient term that basically means “way”):
Living our life with God, in the way of Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, and in affirmation of the Nicene Creed (381AD) and Apostle’s Creed, we are committed to the following:
We will center our lives on Jesus Christ.
+ We will devote ourselves to a careful reading of the Gospel, going from Gospel to life and life to Gospel.
+ We will actively seek to encounter the living and active person of Jesus Christ through the reading of Scripture and through prayer, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
+ We will pursue a rhythm of morning and evening prayers.
+ We will strive to live life with the people on the edges of society—the poor, the forsaken, the oppressed, and the disgraced.
+ As Christ chose for himself a humble life, we will seek to live simply in our affluent culture of over-consumption.
+ We will strive to purify our hearts from the desire for possession and power.
+ Forsaking violence in all of its forms, we will seek and promote peaceful ways of resolving conflict.
We will be present to the West Bank.
+ We will spend time understanding the cultures of the West Bank.
+ We will try to get in the way of injustice—particularly on the West Bank.
+ We will intentionally build friendships with people on the West Bank.
+ We will remember the people of the West Bank in our daily prayers.
+ We will extend hospitality to our neighbors, sharing what we have with those in need—whether it is a simple meal, clothing, a place to sleep for the night, or our friendship.
We will share our lives with one another.
+ We will seek to encounter the living and active person of Jesus Christ in our brothers and sisters.
+ We will regularly attend Missio Dei’s gatherings.
+ We will regularly fellowship and pray with members of Missio Dei outside of regular gatherings.
+ We will share resources with those within Missio Dei who demonstrate greater need.
+ We will seek to intercede daily for the other members of Missio Dei.
+ We will pursue reconciliation in our relationships with one another, in our own lives and in the lives of other brothers and sisters in our community.
+ We will discern God’s desires for our community communally—seeking God together in prayer, with open hearts.
+ + + + + + + + + + +
Membership into Missio Dei is gradually attained through a time of orientation, a period of formation of at least nine months, and profession of this way of life. The entire community is engaged in this process of growth and formation. The orientation process will be determined by existing members and can be waived for potential members by the consensus of existing members.
