Oakwood Hubs

What is an Oakwood HUB?

A HUB is a small to mid-sized community that is intended to be:

  1. an environment of individual and collective spiritual growth and transformation 
  2. a habitat in which we can grow closer together as a spiritual family 
  3. a place which takes up the missional call to a specific geographical area or ministry focus

 

Vision of Oakwood HUBS

Growing deeper as disciples. Growing closer as family. Growing outward in mission.

 

Who can belong to a HUB?

It is our hope that everyone who calls Oakwood Church their home, connects into a HUB. Each HUB should be reflection of the wider church - comprising mature Christians, newer Christians and even not-yet-Christians. Our desire is to see everyone in a HUB as that is where discipleship, family and mission take place.

 

The Nature of Oakwood HUBS

The culture, nature and purpose of HUBS centres around three key areas that drive the rhythm of each HUB’s activity:

 

1. Worship  -  UP  -  The Pursuit of Jesus

HUBS exist to encourage people in their pursuit of Jesus and grow in their love for God; to live our lives under the lordship of, and centred-about the person of, Jesus Christ. HUBS are to be places within which people can grow as disciples of Jesus into greater maturity of faith through the word of God, prayer and other spiritual rhythms. We recognise that true discipleship does not happen through completing a course but in the context of relationship, as we seek to share life together. 

(Romans 12:1, Colossians 1:10, 2 Peter 1:3-11)

Rhythms of WORSHIP include:

  • Reading and applying the Bible (e.g. SOAP). (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8).
  • Making regular time to pray and praise God. (Psalm 95:1-2)
  • Engaging in smaller discipleship ‘Huddles’. (2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 10:24-25)
  • Meet with God in communion and other expressions of worship. (Psalm 105:1-2)
  • Identifying and growing spiritual gifts and callings (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8)

 

2. Community  -  IN  -  The Pursuit of One Another

HUBS are places of ‘family’ where we learn to and grow in love one another more deeply. Where people develop stronger relationships with one another and know a greater sense of unity. HUBS are to be places of friendship, that embrace mutual accountability and responsibility, and prevent anyone experiencing disconnection within our church family. ‘Community’ within HUBS looks like sharing each other’s burdens, praying for one other, caring for, supporting and forgiving each other as Christ forgave us. New and not-yet Christians are drawn in as they experience the family of God living in light of the Gospel. (Acts 2:42- 47, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Rhythms of COMMUNITY include:

  • Practicing hospitality together in practical ways - meals, coffee, service, prayer etc.

(Mark 12:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 2:8)

  • Caring and looking out for one another (Philippians 2:4)
  • Encouraging each other and building fellowship together (Psalm 22:22, 1 John 1:1-3).
  • Engaging in discipleship ‘Huddles’. (2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 10:24-25)
  • Praying, praising and worshipping God together (Psalm 95:1-2, 105:1-2)
  • Connecting socially in a multitude of ways in order to grow relationships, grow as family, grow in community. 

 

3. Mission  -  OUT  -  The Pursuit of the Lost 

HUBS seek to inspire and release the whole church in missional responsibly and activity; to ensure that more mission is taking place in more places, more of the time. Each HUB has a clear and shared mission. A HUB’s mission-field would most often be to a geographical area or ministry focus. This might often be specific area of our town but could also be young families with children, single parents, the elderly, Care Homes, the lonely and isolated, students, the homeless community etc. In mission we are called to embrace God’s heart for those around us, to be driven by His love and the hope of the Gospel; to reach out, care, serve & engage people that we might be part of God’s redemptive work in their lives. 

(Matthew 5:14-16. 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20)

 

Rhythms of MISSION include:

  • Seeking for God to envision, empower and equip each HUB in mission. (Luke 10:1-24)
  • Discovering and discerning the needs and issues of our geographical area or ministry focus
  • Making stronger links into, and becoming increasingly part of, our geographical area and/or ministry focus. (Mark 2:13-17, John 10:22-30)
  • Serving, caring and supporting the geographical area or ministry focus, in a variety of practical ways. (Matthew 25:31-40, Mark 12:31, 1 Thessalonians 2:8)
  • Invite people to your HUB that the evidence of the Gospel may be seen and heard in community (John 13:35)

 

The possibilities of missional activity are limitless and below are some examples. However, more important than ‘good ideas’ is each HUB seeking for God’s leading as to how He would have us ‘reach out’. 

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