Life Outside the Walls

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.