We see it all too often – from celebrities to athletes. People can get so caught up in what they are doing that they lose a sense of who they are. They lose their purpose and their vision. Unfortunately, the church is no different. Is Mt. View today the church that Jesus had in mind? Is our church the church we see in the New Testament?

In order to answer these hard and humbling questions, let’s examine the Scripture in this series and delve into the very fabric of the church – the DNA Christ created within her and let the Holy Spirit teach us.

Part 1: The Missional Church - Sent

Passage: Galatians 4:4

Date: July 11, 2010

Overview: “Missional” is a new buzzword. “Missional” is an important word because it doesn’t describe what we do as Christ followers; it describes who we are as Christ- followers. We – the church – get our mission from Jesus: to seek and save the lost. Jesus was sent by God for this purpose. So a fundamental part of the church’s DNA has to be that same kind of sending into the world for the sake of the kingdom.

Part 2: The Missional Church – the Body

Passage: John 1:14; 1 John 4:12

Date: July 18, 2010

Overview: One of the most miraculous and loving passages in all of Scripture is John 1:14 when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus perfectly lived out the Father’s mission for Him. Now that Jesus has resurrected and is seated on High at the right hand of the Father, He now puts on the body of His Church – us to continue His mission.

Part 3 & 4: The Connecting Church – Family

Passage: Ephesians 2:19-22

Date: August 1, 2010 AND August 8, 2010

Overview: How does the biblical metaphor of a family or household apply to us at Mt. View in 2010? To whom do we connect? Each other? Others? God? How about all of the above? In what environments do we truly connect with God? Each other? Others? Paul gives us great insight as the book of Ephesians builds on the concept of the “household of God” and all that implies.

Part 5: The Connecting Church – the Bride

Passage: Ephesians 5:21-33

Date: August 22, 2010

Overview: Ephesians 5 is often quoted to apply to our marriages. This passage is really about Christ and His Bride – the Church. This connection to Christ implies worship, service, love and devotion unmet in our lives. “Commitment” is an understatement.

Part 6: The Humble Church – the Flock

Passage: John 10

Date: August 29, 2010

Overview: How can any church continue to be God’s missional agency in the midst of such rapidly changing cultures and times? The key is humility. The American church’s failure to adapt to the changing culture is a tragic case study in the arena of pride. May we repent and follow our Great Shepherd.

Part 7: The Empowered Church - the Army

Passage: Ephesians 6:10-18

Date: September 5, 2010

Overview: In this final metaphor for the church, Paul uses the image of a soldier to show how God empowers and equips us to stand against the enemy and to go forth and conquer. The key is reliance upon God's Spirit and Word. We are so self-reliant when we should realize and live out of total dependence upon Him.