We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we can understand why and how we came to be, who we are.

Sankofa
The Rule - Anchored in the Tree of Life

The word Rule comes from the Latin regula, meaning “pattern, model or example.” We live in a culture of individualism, materialism, and privacy. One of our deepest desires is for community. For us, a Christian is one who embraces the Rule in the spiritual life practiced in the Sankofa Community. Our rule relates to an order of life, prayer, study, silence, solitude, hospitality, and celebration. It is a life of spiritual liberty, rooted and anchored in the foundation, Jesus Christ, the tree of life. It is a life of solidarity with those on the margins versus a life of individualism, cultural materialism, and spiritual slavery.

The spiritual transformation we seek is rooted in scripture. In order that we may not be conformed to this world but transformed into the image of God by the renewal of minds, we believe we must attend to and grow in our understanding of our:

Mind
Matthew 17:20: Mustard seed faith;
Matthew 9:28: "Do you believe that I am able?"

Character
John 5:19: The Son does the Father's doing;
Philippians 2:5-8: Humility, obedience.

Relationships
John 13:34-35: Love as I have loved;
John 3:18: Love in deed and in truth.

Service
Matthew 5-7: Sermon on the Mount;
Mark 10:45: Not to be served, but to serve;
Mark 9:35: Servant of all.

Africa
Matthew 2:13-15: Joseph took the child and fled to Africa.
Our Savior came out of Africa.

The Practices
Practices: A pattern of common disciplines that are engaged by this community for spiritual formation. These practices are rooted in scripture such as Mark 9 where Jesus teaches about transformation, healing, prayer, and miracles.

Because we are a Christian covenant community, we will:

Set aside time for prayer, meditation, spiritual and scriptural reading, and practicing the presence of God in order to believe what Jesus believed.

Welcome the Holy Spirit, employing spiritual disciplines, exercising spiritual gifts, nurturing the fruit of the Spirit, so we become more like Jesus.

Be committed to a group of people we know and are known by, love and are loved by, serve and are served, celebrate and are celebrated by.

Continually seek to offer hospitality, respect and reconciliation to whomever God brings into our lives.

Seek to recognize God’s activity in the world, and are poised to join God to accomplish God's purposes and invite others to do the same.

By God’s grace, joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that we are, in all that we do, and in all that we say.

Reclaim and renew our connections to Africa and the journey of African-Americans on these shores.

We will do this because we want to:

1. Deepen our relationship with God through establishing structure, rhythm, discipline and accountability in our lives.

2. Strengthen our connection to the Power Source of our life and the agency of Spiritual Formation.

3. Live our lives in the give-and-take of Community, where God can develop trust, humility, submission, confession and character.

4. Be effective, sacrificial ambassadors of God to those both inside and outside the Church.

5. Eagerly own and assume our responsibilities as co-laborers with Christ and eager servants of God.

Leviticus 25; the year of Jubilee
Exodus: freedom

6. Intentionally present ourselves as points of light through whom the Reign of God’s can shine and touch all those in the world.

The Covenant
As disciples of Jesus, our Savior, Teacher, Lord and Friend, we covenant to learn how to believe, live, love, and minister in the way of Jesus. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek the sacred wisdom of Africa and African-American spirituality. We will pursue a deepening relationship with one another as we embrace this culture, heritage, and future that God is creating.