At our church (Church on Fire) the most important ministry happens outside of
the walls of the worship service. It is
in our small groups (which we call Missional Life Groups) that our people
receive the connection and discipleship that true Christian community offers. Not only that, but these communities foster
and display the kind of love and unity Jesus said would testify to the world
about Him. However, just hanging out
together or studying the Bible together does not necessarily result in an
experience of community. We must be purposeful to create an atmosphere of love,
acceptance, unity and freedom if we are to cultivate a transformational
community. We are still finding out what does and doesn’t work, but here are
some important lessons I’ve learned so far.
1. Diversity
creates rich community. Not only
diversity of gifts, culture and personality, but also diversity of activity
together. We worship, pray, and study
together; we also play, eat, serve, laugh, cry, exercise, rest and goof off
together. In this way we have become a
part of one another’s lives in a meaningful way.
2. My
relationship with my friend’s kids is important. I remember growing up with a few extra “aunts”
and “uncles” who not only loved my parents but who truly loved me. I now get to be that for the kids in our Life
Group. As the kids have connected with the
adults in our group we have seen them come out of their shells and truly begin
participating with community life.
3. People
get to connect at their own pace. In our western culture of isolation people
are often hungry for and suspicious of relationships at the same time. This is especially true if they have had a
hurtful experience in church. Giving
them time to observe how we love them and one another creates a safe place for
them to open their heart to us.
4. I
won’t play the numbers game. We all want
as many people as possible to experience the transformative power of Christian
community. However, we are only gathering a group of people faking community if
we don’t learn to love those who are in front of us well. Don’t sacrifice growing in love for numerical
growth.
5. I
can’t take being missional for granted.
The community isn’t just there for each other. We are there to show the world what the love
of God can do. I must constantly remind myself and the group of Jesus’ desire
for the world to see Him through our community.
Finally, I have noticed that it is not any one thing we do that
creates a sense of community. It is the
cumulative effect of life together that nurtures an atmosphere of
transformation and healing for those who join us. I have seen this atmosphere bring breakthrough
in a way that years of church programs and Christian counseling could not. It is my personal conviction that the
priority of ministry for me as a pastor is not in crafting a charismatic sermon
or worship service. It is to equip and encourage
leaders of small nurturing communities so that people can truly connect with
each other, grow as disciples of Jesus, and live out the mission of the Kingdom
in the world.
