Explorations VI: Groups for L.I.F.E.

For six months now I have been talking to you about reflection groups.  Perhaps I have over-hyped it, because after all we are just talking about two meetings to explore where our church is and where it is going in regional groups.  You will have been contacted or soon you will be contacted by those who organize the groups in your area.  But I would like to offer the notion that there may be a deeper significance to these groups.  I see four things that are a potential side benefit to these groups. The first letter of each of those spells the word L.I.F.E.

First, there is a Leadership.  As you have a meeting of the minds, you may discover there are leaders among you who wish to take the church in a new direction.   With leadership there may come a new sense of ownership as a flip side, the realization that this is your church and that you will help take it into the future.

Second there is Identity.  There are a number of groups is this church: youth, men’s group, bookclub, PPW, Mariner’s , Jujikai, choir, golf club etc..  Some of these groups are thriving, others are semi-active, others less active. That’s okay, years ago we decided that groups should be active only if there is (spiritual) energy behind them. These regional groups could become groups in their own right.  I would even encourage you to give your group a meaningful or even funny name.

Third, there is Friendship/fellowship.  Research shows that congregations grow through small groups of different kinds.  It has been shown that new people will root themselves in a new congregation if they can make meaningful contact with seven people. A new configuration of people can bring a new dynamic that enlivens the church.

Fourth and finally, there is Energy/expansion.  As energy groups within a congregation have a lifecycle, eventually they have to be replaced by others.  I hope that you will find and help create new energy in your groups.  That energy in turn may lead to expansion of group membership and its activities.

I am excited to see where it all will lead. Wish I could be a fly on the wall!

May God bless our ministry.  Aart

P.S. if for some reason you are not on the list, make sure to give us an earful. Let me however, reiterate  that the oversight  is completely unintentional!