Thanks to all of you for a great conversation today! I enjoyed today more than any other meeting (except maybe for the one when I almost got excommunicated for not wanting to pray). I really believe that Vicki & New Hope are onto something good with their idea about helping people to connect based on their common passions. From my perspective, this is a next, great step toward helping Christ-followers see themselves as God's representative ("missionaries" if you will) EVERYWHERE they go. I believe that attitude or mindset is vital to developing healthy disciples of Jesus. Over the last several decades, the Church has taken the mindset that says "only special people are 'called' to special assignments like 'pastor' or 'missionary.'" Truth is ALL followers of Jesus are called to be on a mission - representing Him in our individual spheres of influence. I don't believe I am any more important to the Body of Christ than any other member just because an organized church happens to pay me. I believe the Church will reach her greatest effectiveness as salt & light as each member learns to see herself or himself as "on a mission." This perspective makes me believe that what Vicki's church is doing will help individual accomplish that ideal. My highest ideal for small groups would be that they are places where we don't focus on our own needs, but where I share how it is going in my relationship with the top 2 or 3 on my "Most Want to See in The Kingdom" list, then every other members does the same. This suddenly makes our Scripture time focused on how our unconvinced friends need or might see the Truth. And, it focuses our prayer time, not on our own needs, but on the needs of our "Most Wanted's". Even our social time will be affected, and, while serving together will always be valuable, we will also see that our individual service - as God's representatives - is equally or more valuable. Make sense? Thanks for reading. Hey, I also see that we can post pictures, so I'm going to put one of me on here... just so you remember who I am.
2 comments:
This is probably one of the most profound posts I've read.
I also really enjoyed our Small Talk time last week. I began to think how we could utilize some of the ideas we discussed here at NewPointe to move our small groups into a more intentional service midset. Good stuff. Thanks everyone, I learn something every time I am around you.
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