In pursuit of unity and our mission to live and love like Jesus, while leading others to do the same, we have adopted a set of Core Practices to incorporate into our lives. This is undertaken as a collective community, in the belief that we need help from one another to live the lives that God meant for us.

These Core Practices (also referred to as a “Rule of Life”) serve as an intentional plan and schedule of spiritual disciplines that keep us connected to Jesus. Like a trellis, it indexes our heart to be attentive to and intentional about growing in our love for Jesus and others, in every season of life. The goal is to walk daily in the ways of Jesus, in order to be transformed into His image, and unified as a community of Jesus followers.

We all have ingrained practices, habits, and routines that are forming us into the image of something. The question is, “What are we being formed into?” Monterey Church’s Core Practices are comprised of those spiritual disciplines that combat some of the most prevalent (and often deforming) forces in our current cultural context (individualism, careerism, materialism, etc.), by recalibrating our lives to the ways and presence of Jesus, to thereby be formed into His image.

A commitment to join our community in adopting this spiritual framework is an intention to observe seven Core Practices, and to explore other “Reach Practices” pursuant to God’s leading. While we ask all Leaders of Monterey Church (“MC”) to make this commitment, everyone is encouraged to make the decision to adopt the Core Practices described herein (even if you will be in our community for a relatively short period of time due to military/school/vocation).

1.  PRAY.  Adopting these specific Core Practices is an invitation (that all are encouraged to accept!). As you consider whether you are being called to be part of MC, and your personal needs for growth and discipline, is this an invitation to which God wants you to say yes? If no, what practices might God be calling you to adopt (or eliminate) as part of your Rule of Life?

2.  TRY IT.  Consider adopting the Core Practices on a trial basis for a month. At the end of that period, have a discussion with some of the people who know you best (and that make up your closest circle of accountability and discipleship), and consider whether you should make this spiritual framework an ongoing part of your discipleship.

3.  COMMIT.  If you decide to say yes, we invite you to confirm your commitment by completing a Commitment Card (just for your personal use), and to submit yourself to at least one other trusted person who can remind you of God’s grace when you fall short, who will lovingly encourage you to continue growing, and with whom you can review your progress on a quarterly or biannual basis.

THE “WHY.”  As we incorporate these Practices, we cannot lose sight of their purpose, which is to routinely put ourselves in a posture where we can connect with God, and be transformed by His Spirit. Although we cannot change our own hearts, we can be faithful to do what Jesus did, and to abide in Him (spend time with Jesus). The Holy Spirit does the hard part of changing us from within, in order to do what we can’t do without Jesus - live in obedience and abundance.  

PRAYER.  Prayer isn’t a separate Core Practice below, because prayer is in integral part of all of the Spiritual Practices. In other words, prayer is woven into the fabric of each Practice, and ensures that we are connecting with God and relying on His power instead of our own. While there are so many different ways and types of prayer (the ways we talk and listen to God), we have highlighted one style of prayer for each Practice that may assist you in connecting with Jesus.

MEASURING PROGRESS.  We measure progress in our spiritual transformation by evidence of growth of the Fruits of the Spirit* in our lives, with the most important of them being love. In other words, a good measure of our progress is to ask the question: “Am I growing in my love for God and others, especially those that are hard for me to love?”
*Galatians 5:22-23 - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

OTHER PRACTICES.  MC’s Core Practices are not meant to replace the ordinary practices of faithfulness to which all members of the Church are called (routinely attending the Sunday Gathering to worship together, celebrating communion, etc.), or other spiritual disciplines that you have adopted, but are not referenced herein.

PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT.  Making the commitment to adopt MC’s Core Practices doesn’t mandate perfection. In fact, there is a reason that Spiritual Practices are called “practices” - they are disciplines that we practice but never master! And while we strive to establish healthy habits and rhythms of connecting with God, there is grace when we fall off track but then seek God and other’s encouragement to keep growing in our commitments.