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Processes (MLC)

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Missional Church Learning Clusters

Today many churches rally around a particular style of ministry such as (1) contemporary worship; (2) purpose-driven; (3) Willow Creek Association; (4) traditional church; (5) emerging church. However, even the newest of approaches are in danger of becoming the next "neo-traditional" church when culture around them changes and their methodology is no longer culturally-appropriate. Using a specific methodology or approach to ministry as the basis of fellowship and learning is a poor substitute for a sound missiological (missionary) approach to reaching neotribal cultural groups (people groups) in specific kinds of social environments.

Instead, Missional Church Learning Clusters foster peer-to-peer learning among church leaders who are ministering within the same or similar social environments. Clusters form around one of six major social environments: upscale (affluent), mainstay (small-town established), working (blue-collar), country (rural), aspiring (young and/or postmodern), and urban (inner city). Every church regardless of current ministry methodology ministers in one or more of these social environments. Missional Church Learning Clusters provide networking opportunities among ministry leaders who are facing similar situations.

Sometimes these networks meet together face-to-face with a Missional Coach, in other cases they get together online as part of the Missional Corps. In each case however, ministry leaders have access to additional resources through the Missional Suite.

ONLINE Missional Learning Clusters Forming !!

There is limited space in our new online Missional Learning Clusters. To make application to participate in the one year process (meet online once per month), please register your interest by completing the MLC Application Form.


MLC: Upscale Communities

Upscale Communities reflect the wealthiest households in the nation. An upscale social environment is created by high household incomes, significant home values and top educational achievements. Concentrated in exclusive suburban neighborhoods, these households are predominantly white, college educated and filled with Baby Boom parents and their children living in the metropolitan sprawl. Most of the adults work as executives and white-collar professionals, and their upscale incomes provide them with large homes and comfortable lifestyles. They like to spend their leisure time getting exercise—jogging, biking and swimming are popular—or shopping for the latest in-fashion and high-tech electronics. They are active in community affairs as members of business clubs, environmental groups and arts associations.

Upscale Community Resources


MLC: Mainstay Communities

Mainstay Communities represent the established, median income households of small, low-density urban and second-city areas. Mainstay Communities consist of ethnically homogeneous enclaves of predominantly white, married and family-oriented, homeowner households and diverse enclaves of mixed marital status, ethnicity and age ranges. Commuting to careers in management, manufacturing, retail, sales and health care services provides them the means for a moderate to ample lifestyle. Those households who enjoy dual-median incomes are able to support the creature comforts they have come to expect and have worked hard to achieve.

Mainstay Community Resources


MLC: Working Communities

Working Communities represent predominantly blue-collar workers in a mix of manufacturing, construction, health services, retail, wholesale trades, and food service occupations. Mostly high-school educated with some college experience, these homeowner households appear in diverse neighborhoods in densely populated regions and small-town suburbs – often living on the edge of metropolitan areas. Ethnically diverse, less than half are currently married. Enjoying lower middle incomes, their incomes provide a stable foundation for their personal and family pursuits in conventional type lifestyles.

Working Community Resources


MLC: Country Communities

Representing agricultural and mining areas, Country Communities represent middle-aged, mostly white family households living in single-family homes and mobile homes or trailers on country tracts and in rural neighborhoods. They work hard to provide the tranquil life to which their family has become accustomed through farming, agriculture, education, mining and other service industries. Education levels are low and, consequently, income levels are moderately low, falling in the lower middle income range. Driving domestic pick-up trucks, traditional family sedans or compact cars, more than two-thirds of these households do not have children living at home.

Country Community Resources


MLC: Aspiring Communities

This resoundingly diverse ethnic group represents the up-and-coming of American society. Living within easy reach of or within major metropolitan areas, this group enjoys careers in information, sales, administration, education, health and other service professions. As many as 60% of Aspiring Contemporaries are renting singles, many are career builders enjoying a middle income lifestyle in midtier management positions. Many others live the unique lifestyles offered by military and university dorm life. However, this group is also four times more likely to be unemployed. Ethnicity is extremely diverse, and a majority fall within the ages of 18 to 34 years.

Aspiring Community Resources


MLC: Urban Communities

The Urban Community features a diverse range of residents who reside within major metropolitan cities and towns, often in what is sometimes called “inner city.” Predominantly African-American and Hispanic, many are single, younger adults (including some single parents). With below-average incomes and above-average household size, this group supports their lifestyles at employment within food and health services, education, retail, and arts and entertainment industries. At the same time, in many places, the Urban Community has double the national average for unemployment. Many single-parent households must balance priorities and budgets. The majority of this segment enjoys apartment living, and those who own vehicles opt for a diverse selection of economy, import, and domestic cars and light trucks.

Urban Community Resources


MOSAIC US Segmentation and the Missional Learning Clusters

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