Rhythm of Life
A communal rhythm of life for an urban abiding
A Rhythm of Life is how we pursue the Good, Beautiful, and True Way of Jesus, together.
A Rhythm of Life, sometimes called a Rule of Life, is not a checklist for spiritual achievement, nor a rigid program for self improvement. It is a shared way of arranging our lives so that love of God and love of neighbor are not left to chance. It is a trellis, not the vine. A structure that supports growth, not something that produces it.
At Uncommon City, our Rhythm of Life names the practices we return to again and again, especially when the world around us is loud, fragmented, and hurried. These rhythms are not about doing more, but about becoming more attentive. They help us resist formation by distraction, fear, and exhaustion, and instead be shaped by the life and way of Jesus over time.
This Rhythm is shared, not because everyone practices it perfectly, but because we believe formation happens best in community. We learn these rhythms together, practice them imperfectly, and trust that God meets us faithfully in the ordinary repetition of prayer, rest, generosity, and presence.
Our Shared Rhythms
We are forming as a church family around a shared Rhythm of Life. For us, there are nine spiritual practices we believe are essential to apprenticing ourselves to Jesus in our place and time. These practices are not isolated disciplines, but interconnected rhythms that work together to form a trellis for our life together. They support our community as we seek to live faithfully, attentively, and rooted in the way of Christ. These are our shared, sacred rhythms.
Alongside these rhythms, we are building a growing library of resources for each practice. These resources are designed to meet you where you are, offering guidance and encouragement as you begin to weave these sacred rhythms into your own Rhythm of Life, at a pace shaped by grace rather than pressure.
A community of communion with God in a culture of distraction and escapism through the practice of Prayer.
A community of courageous fidelity to orthodoxy in a culture of ideological compromise through the practice of Scripture.
A community of peace and quiet in a culture of anxiety and noise through the practice of Solitude.
A community of holiness in a culture of indulgence and immorality through the practice of Fasting.
A community of rest and celebration in a culture of hurry and exhaustion through the practice of Sabbath.
A community of contentment in a culture of consumerism through the practice of Generosity (coming Fall 2026).
A community of love and depth in a culture of individualism and superficiality through the practice of Community.
A community of justice, mercy, and reconciliation in a culture of injustice and division through the practice of Service.
A community of hospitality in a culture of hostility through the practice of Witness (coming Summer 2026).
These are the shared ways of being that shape how we show up—with God, ourselves, and one another. Rooted in grace and accountability, our Community Agreements help us become a people of presence, honesty, and love in a city that rarely slows down.
Our Community Agreements
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Love Above All
We commit to embodying love as the highest calling of our faith. This means treating everyone with dignity, respect, and care, reflecting the love of Jesus in our words, actions, and attitudes.
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Belong Before Belief
We welcome everyone to belong, whether or not they share our beliefs. This is a space for the doubter, the seeker, and the believer to journey together.
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Practice Presence
We commit to being fully present with one another. This includes listening well, practicing compassion, and resisting distractions during gatherings and conversations.
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Cultivate Diversity
We celebrate and honor the diversity of God’s creation. We will strive to reflect the beautiful tapestry of our community in race, culture, gender, and background, making space for every voice to be heard.
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Seek the Good, Beautiful, and True
Our aim is to pursue what is good, beautiful, and true in all things. We will thoughtfully consider how our worship, community rhythms, and creative expressions reflect these qualities.
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Practice Radical Hospitality
We commit to creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and valued. Whether in gatherings, conversations, or acts of service, we will strive to extend the radical welcome of Jesus.
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Embrace Rest and Renewal
We commit to rhythms of rest, reflection, and renewal, recognizing that this is vital for spiritual and communal health.
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Walk Humbly Together
We recognize that no one has “arrived.” Together, we are pilgrims on the journey, seeking Jesus and encouraging one another along the way.
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Emphatically Build Trust
We commit to moving at the speed of trust, fostering relationships built on grace, patience, and accountability as we humbly grow together.