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A family of churches on mission together

Relational Mission: A way of life

“It is less the title of an organisation, more of a desire for a way of life: Relationship and Mission must combine together in order for us to come anywhere near replicating the dynamic of New Testament life. But it must be a combination of both. This combination needs to be in individual disciples, churches and families of churches.”

- Mike Betts -

 

Pause for a moment and consider: what would your church be like if…

…everyone prayed together?

…each person regularly shared the gospel?

…everyone had deep, genuine friendships with one another?

…each person equipped the next generation to start new churches?

…everyone worked with other churches in partnership?

…everyone was committed to living out New Testament values?

A Way of Life

Our vision directs us. Our way of life defines how we want to live along the way: these seven aspirations help to shape us as we grow together into full maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

 

A Real Family

We’re not building an organisation. We’re building a family. We want our churches to be characterised by authentic friendship and fellowship. So success isn’t so much about numbers as it is spiritual formation—people becoming more like Jesus, and communities being transformed by the gospel. Our life together must carry the smell of the New Testament: dear friends, together on a mission.

Everyone a Witness

Mission is for all of us. We want everyone to be a confident witness, sharing the gospel in every place and with every person. We keep the Great Commission central, believing that thousands will come to faith as believers pray to, live for and speak about Jesus.

The Prayers of Many

We’re convinced by the power and necessity of corporate prayer. While we champion private devotion, we eagerly desire to see fresh expressions of united intercession among our churches. When the body of Christ gathers regularly to pray, faith rises, and we learn to listen and respond together to the Holy Spirit. These moments are so often the engine room for mission and gospel breakthrough in towns, cities and nations.

Starting New Families

We’re committed to church planting as a normal part of family life. We want to be a people open to being sent and willing to send others to the ends of the earth. Starting new churches isn’t a niche ministry. Like the Great Commission, church planting is another element of the New Testament model of expansion that involves every believer. Our aim is to be globally fruitful, planting churches with a biblical foundation and equipping them to reach their communities and multiply.

Raising Sons and Daughters

A family grows by releasing the next generation. We want to disciple and empower spiritual sons and daughters so that the God-given vision for Relational Mission doesn’t end with its founders, but continues to evolve and multiply through those who come after us. This is leadership as spiritual parenting: investing in people who will carry the mission forward.

A Church for a Broken World

We’re committed to discipleship and building healthy churches, which will always involve caring for the world God loves. We’re called to be the hands and feet of Christ, serving our communities in love and blessing those who labour for the common good. We believe the gospel should be seen as well as heard—expressed in words, works and wonders—with a particular heart to serve the poor and pursue justice in this present age. Part of our mission is to encourage and equip disciples to serve across the major domains of society, including water and agriculture, business and economics, science and technology, arts and media, politics and governance, education and healthcare, so the gospel is embodied in every sphere.

A Compass but No Map

A compass without a map means shared values expressed through a variety of styles. We hold tightly to our doctrinal convictions: grace, the authority of Scripture, the gifts of the Spirit, the importance of the local church, mission and care for the poor. Those foundations won’t change. We don’t, however, export a single model with the expectation that one size fits all. How we gather, train, lead, plant and serve will vary by culture and the uniqueness of each mission field. Our churches are shaped by their locales, but their spiritual DNA remains the same. We prioritise listening to the Holy Spirit for fresh wisdom and guidance, welcoming prophetic leading and apostolic insight to discern the right pathways, and we trust God for lasting fruit wherever He calls us to go.

Explore Further

Our seven aspirations are a manifesto for world-changing churches

Read the book or listen to the podcast to dive deeper into key building blocks for churches that will foster increasing spiritual maturity, deep and genuine relationships, and lasting fruit. Begin to dream with us about churches where:

  • everyone is committed to pray together, and everyone is committed to share the gospel together;

  • everyone knows deep, genuine and lasting friendships, and everyone fosters a love for a broken world;

  • everyone equips the next generation and gives themselves to starting more churches;

  • no one stands apart from others, but everyone works in partnership with other churches for the sake of the mission;

  • there is a diligent, ongoing attempt to build on New Testament values, combining word and Spirit, relationship and mission.

Way of Life Podcast

If you’d like to explore these Aspirations further, listen to the Relational Mission – A Way of Life podcast.  

Each episode unpacks what it means to be a family of churches on mission together, with a vision to be globally fruitful by reaching the nations, making disciples and planting locally led churches.

Listen to the podcast

A Way of Life - the book

These values were at the heart of Mike Betts’ vision for a worldwide church that would change the world. Mike, together with a team of other contributors, shaped this vision to form the content of a book that would dig deep into the foundations and values they wanted churches to build upon.

Whilst the roots of the book stem from the Relational Mission / Newfrontiers family of churches, the story that unfolds in the book is a challenge and provocation to everyone in the Christian community. Were the wider church to pursue and embrace these values, we truly believe the world would be transformed.

A fantastic book for individuals and groups, both members of local churches and their leaders, as well as those looking in on the Relational Mission family of churches.

Get your copy

Get your copy of the book

“In this book Mike Betts sets out a manifesto for the 21st century church. Whether you want to know more about the Relational Mission network, or you are seeking to understand how to see the church grow into a movement in our generation, this book is invaluable.

It is packed full of hard-won and profound wisdom and principles of secure, godly, visionary leadership that will lead to multiplication and growth. Highly recommended.”
— Rev Paul Maconichie (USA National Team Leader of 3D Movements)
 

Where to buy it

The book is available in both paperback and e-reader formats (eg Kindle) via Amazon and other book outlets. Click on the links below to buy now in the available language.

English

Dutch

French

Bulk orders

If you are looking to purchase in excess of 10 books then please get in touch with us to organise an order.

FAQ

  • A key ethos behind producing this book has been not only to explain more about Relational Mission, but also to help resource and support those who are in pioneering church planting situations around the globe. Therefore, once the costs of production are covered, all remaining revenue generated will be used to produce further resources to help those pioneering for Christ in the nations.

    So when you purchase the book, not only will you get an excellent resource to read, but you will be supporting those pioneering and church planting at the same time! 

  • We are investigating the translation of the book into more languages, including German and Swedish. If you could help, get in touch.

  • Send an email to Alison and we will do our best to answer

“Here’s a book packed with warmth and wisdom from a leader who has put in the hard years of service. Mike’s love for Christ and His church resonate through these pages. Read and be encouraged, provoked and challenged.”
— Dr Krish Kandiah, President of London School of Theology and Founder and Director of Home for Good