The following post is by CBF Fellow Claire Kermitz. At the 2013 CBF General Assembly in Greensboro, N.C., Claire attended the workshop of the Church Starts and Faith Sharing mission community.

Different generations, ages and backgrounds represented the Church Starts and Faith Sharing mission community breakout session panel.

Even with their diversity one thing rang true, community.

While difficult discussion was raised with starting churches amongst statistics that show that church life is in decline, the three panelists, Andy Hale, Joshua Hearne and Linda Jones, discussed that while there are stories of decline, there are also stories of transformation and energy. This is an exciting time to be in ministry, where ever that is.

Andy Hale, the pastor at Mosaic Church in Clayton N.C., describes his church as a community of broken people made whole through the love of Christ.

Linda Jones from Via Faith Community made a point that she works with artists who have been disengaged from church, but by just being present in their neighborhood, community has been formed.

Joshua Hearne who partners with Grace and Main stated that church is where community is, where ever relationships are being formed, and we walk alongside the least of these is where church is.

They did not shy away from the fact that church starting and faith sharing is hard work. They shared their struggles, whether those struggles are financial or discernment, for the next step. Even among those struggles, the familiar stories of community were shared. The stories of success and transformation overshadowed hardships.

These communities are living examples of the Gospel.

Surely the Gospel is ringing true where people are becoming whole through the love of God.