verse4today: "I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you" (Exodus 23:20).
Posted on 2012-02-10 via Twitter
I bought into it - hook, line and sinker. I am referring to the 7/24 model of church life which proposes that the church, like a gas station, be open for business seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. In this model, we measure congregational vitality by the number of cars that drive in and out of the church parking lot each week, and also by the number of volunteers corralled to sustain the ministries offered each day of that week. A great church, in this model, is one that publishes a menu of ministries serviced by a boatload of dedicated volunteers.
Looking back, I am wondering if, in embracing that model, I helped church my congregants right of the community. By that I mean, did we as a congregation provide so many programs on our campus that our members spent very little, if any time in their communities developing relationships with their neighbors (the very ones God called them to love). I can' t help but thinking that all our church programs created a social bubble by which we isolated ourselves from the world. And might that explain why so few individuals from the community turned to the Lord through our ministry? Or why we didn't witness much evidence of the grace of God in the lives of God's people? Or why so few dedicated church members were used by God to lead their neighbors and co-workers to the Lord?
These days I wonder what would happen if congregations gathered but once a week? If they met, for example, for but three hours or so on Sunday mornings? And then, from that gathering, went back, with God's blessing, to their homes, communities and work-places as the salt and light of the world? I realize that pattern typifies many Christians here and around the world, but it is not the model embraced by most self-described Evangelical congregations in America's suburbs. It is not the model I have been working with for the past three decades.
So, what would happen if we decided to shut down our Monday-Saturday religious programs for adults? First, many congregations would discover that they don't really need buildings much during the week, except for occasional weddings and funerals. And in their place, Christians would rediscover fellowship in one another's homes. Second, I am thinking that small groups would form naturally as friends in Christ, in need of encouragement, prayer and accountability, gather during the week. In other words, small groups would develop organically, out of the natural ebb and flow of life, rather than mechanically, as an appendage to life. Third, Christians would be free, during the week, to fulfill their callings as salt and light in the world. Theoretically, with less on their social calendars, they would be able to create room in their lives for interaction with their neighbors.
Of course, just closing the doors of our church facilities from Monday through Saturday does not inevitably lead to Christians building vital relationships in their communities. We need encouragement from one another and the prompting of the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus into the world. We need grace to be what Christ has called us to be. We need a holy desire, cultivated by the Word and Spirit, that longs to be used by God as instruments of His grace in the lives of our friends.
And this brings me, at last, to Ryan's reminder (comment to last blog) that Christ has called us to be salt and light in and to the world. Congregations like Living Hope Church may and should prioritize passionate worship, relevant teaching, and authentic community, but may we also pray that God uses us to accomplish His goals for His world. May we long for dynanic partnership with God. May we catch ourselves from spending too much time enjoying our fellowship with believers that we neglect our calling to follow Jesus into the world as prophets, priests and kings. And, perhaps most importantly, may we cultivate a sense an urgency for the Gospel to go forth in and through us to our friends who live without hope for their futures.
What a wonderful way of looking at this. I was struck by this idea when I was asked to join a Bible Study with some old college friends 2 weeks ago. Being new back in this area it meant a lot to me to be asked to join 3 other girls meeting once a week to support and encourage each other. I was taken aback because it is just 4 girls coming together not because some singles group planned it for us, but because we desire more for each other- we desire fellowship in an authentic way- very new testament.
I love how your small group formed - organically. I wonder, though, about those followers of Jesus who may not have Christian friends in the community. How do they enjoy authentic community during the week with brothers and sisters in Christ? Or, how does the Church encourage the formation of organic small groups without the whole process becoming a program managed by professionals? One way, it seems to me, is through pastors who actually shepherd their flocks and who, like Jesus, have their eyes on the one who is alone and who try to connect that one with others in the flock.
Small groups that come together naturally defintely have their benefits. I’ve got a few fellow seminarians who saw a need in our lives for community so we met at a certain time and place each week for food, talking about our weeks and prayer.
One struggle I’m having with church community is that I have found community is best developed in proximity - that’s nearness in geography and interests.
Going to a church 30 minutes away with members spread all over makes that a bit difficult, especially when it takes so long to even remember people’s names!
I think Pastor Sam had a good idea with those barbecue and pie nights at his house. (I’m still waiting on that raincheck for pie!) It’s an occassional event that builds relationships.
While a 24/7 church is a bit excessive, there is something to be said for having something available for those who are taking longer to connect.