Learning from the Church at Antioch

The presupposition of this second session is that thriving institutions embody an ongoing commitment to core beliefs and identity while at the same time demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. Dying institutions tend to do one or the other but not both. We look at the New Testament church at Antioch (Acts 11:22-26; 13:1-3) as an exemplary model of a congregation moving through adaptive challenge. The church in Antioch is characterized by 1) Spirit-inspired grace and discernment; 2) contagious relationships; and 3) a missional orientation. One can argue that it is at Antioch that the early church transitions from being a religious sect to a far-reaching movement.