community paradox
Disclaimer: I’m not sure I’m going to use “paradox” in the right context, but it sure sounds intelligent.
We’re in the process at C3 of launching our fall community groups. As we’ve transitioned, we developed a time table of ministries and programs that would receive our attention and focus, and community groups is next. We’re using the fall to identify and develop leaders, and we’ll do a churchwide launch in Jan/Feb 2009. As we’ve discussed our philosophy and how community groups will fit in the C3 culture, we’ve stumbled upon an important truth – coined by yours truly as the community paradox.
Community simply defined is a group linked by a common characteristic. Maybe it’s location, interest, culture, etc. In the context of the church, community groups are intended to focus a group of people on living out the life of Jesus. One of the “selling points” we hear and see in so many churches is that “group is a great place to have your needs met, and meet the needs of others.” However, there’s a tendency for the group’s charity to be focused on each other. At C3, we’ve concluded this is a very good thing, but IT CANNOT BE THE MISSION.
We’ve discovered that the best way for a person to have their needs met (both spiritually and physically) is to focus their efforts OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY! Yes, community is most healthy when the community is pooling resources and talents not to help themselves, but to help others. It’s amazing how God will supernaturally meet your personal needs when we take seriously the command to love our neighbors.
Therefore, Darrell (C3s Community Group Czar) has challenged all of our groups to find a place of service this fall. This is just the first step in structuring a culture of community that looks outside so we can be most effective inside. (The community paradox)
Tags: c3, church, community groups, leadership
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September 23, 2008 at 1:52 am
Love it. We do a similar thing in our student ministries Fuel Cells (small groups). I’ve always been struck by how the church has used the description of the early church in Acts 2 as an example of small groups, yet we never once mentioned that phrase “they gave to ANYONE as they had need”. Not just “church” people, or those in their “Particular group”. And guess what, they enjoyed the “favor of ALL the people” and there were alot coming to know Christ because of that…
September 24, 2008 at 3:45 am
two in a row… i need oxygen! seriously, bro, great post.
September 24, 2008 at 8:17 pm
dk – thanks for the insight. It’s definitely a challenge to keep the focus on “others.”
Byron – it’s what they call in the biz as being “en fuego.” Just trying to keep up with your 3 posts a day.