Life Group of the Week

We're starting something new at Northeast Christian Church this week: Life Group of the Week. The idea came out of a brainstorm by our Life Group Ministry Team, and we've been working up to this week for several months. 

We promote the group of the week in our worship guide, on the side screens at the beginning of the weekend service, in our NECCWired email blast to all members, and on our web site. The group makes a poster and handouts, and hangs out at our booth after each weekend service to meet people. Some groups are planning to make brownies or cookies to offer some hospitality (and entice people over) as well. I also share about their group in our weekly "LifeLines" newsletter that goes to all Life Group Leaders.

The groups who have signed up to be the Group of the Week so far are enthusiastic about it. It's not only an opportunity for their groups to be recognized, but also to promote their groups and share with other groups what's working. I visit each group a couple weeks before, and as these groups plan for their week, it forces them to rethink why their group exists and how they can invite and welcome new people. Best of all, they're having fun!

Every Day Christianity

I read Acts 2 again today in my quiet time. Of course, this is a very familiar passage, one to which people like me give our lives. Today, this passage struck me a little differently than it has before.

"And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had" (Acts 2:44, NLT). 

I'm struck by how devoted these believers were to one another on a daily basis. This is so different from the way the church normally operates today. They met and worshiped together daily (v. 46). They served one another daily (Acts 6:1). They studied the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). They encouraged one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). And the Lord added to their number daily those being saved (v. 47).

As Warren Wiersbe says, "Their Christian faith was a day-to-day reality, not a once-a-week routine. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality to them, and His resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit."

Small groups surely nudge us a little closer in the right direction toward being a day-to-day kingdom community, but it can unfortunately just move us from a once-a-week routine to a twice-a-week routine ... unless the culture somehow changes.

We can't make this happen. Only the Holy Spirit being active in people's lives can transform a culture. It doesn't happen by developing or changing a program in the church. It happens when the Holy Spirit works in such a way that there is a deep sense of awe among the people, when people's hearts are changed from individualism, isolationism, and consumerism to looking first to the interests of others, sharing everything we have.

When that happens, the church will once again be powerful and effective and will enjoy the goodwill of all the people. When that happens--and I believe not until that happens--God will add to our number daily those who are being saved. When that happens, God will turn this world upside-down ... again. We are God's best marketing strategy!

I'll stay committed to this and to praying that the Holy Spirit will move in such a way at our church and in his kingdom to transform people's hearts to live like this.

How can we move from a once- or twice-a-week routine back to a day-to-day community reality?


What needs to change in your small group? Your church? The Church? The culture?

Chutzpah

Today I came across perhaps the most profound statement ever spoken: "'I have loved you deeply,' says the Lord" (Malachi 1:2). God's chosen people did not deserve it. Neither do I.

The people's response is unbelievable: "Really? How have you loved us?" What an increidble amount of chutzpah these people had to question God's love for them! He had shown his love countless times throughout their history. How could they possibly doubt that he loved them?

The greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbor, but God loved us first, and our love is impossible without his (1 John 4:7, 10, 16, 19). He loved us so much that he sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him. He loved us so much that he would sacrifice himself for us. "We love because he first loves us" (1 John 4:19). Thank God for loving us!

"I have loved you deeply." I can't get past that statement. I do not question it outright with my words, but do I question it in my attitudes or actions? Do I show a disbelief for his love by what I do or do not do? Do I question it by how I treat others? Do I question it by not acting in faith to his calling?

Even still ... even though ... even now -- God says gently, "I have loved you deeply ... and I always will."

What Larry the Cable Guy, Nike, Frank Sinatra, and Burger King Have in Common

Two opposing world-views. Two ways of living life. Two patterns for how to operate. Which will you choose? The culture this world teaches one thing and the Word of God teaches the opposite:

“Get ‘er done!” – Larry the Cable Guy 

“The Son  . . . can do only what he sees his Father doing.” – Jesus (John 5:19) 

“Just do it.” - Nike 

“I do nothing without consulting the Father.” – Jesus (John 5:30) 

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” – Jesus (John 15:5) 

“I did it my way.” – Frank Sinatra 

“For I have kept the ways of the Lord.” – David (Psalm 18:21) 

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.” – David (Psalm 128:1) 

“Have it your way.” – Burger King 

“Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and revering him.” – Moses (Deuteronomy 8:6) 

Can you think of others you'd add to this list?

Top 20 Favorite Blog Posts of 2010

Here are my favorite 20 posts by some of my favorite bloggers last year.

1. Tattoo Man, Brian Jones
2. Enchi-fricken-ladas, Alan Danielson
3. Burritos, John Eldridge
4. Thou Shalt Offend Pharisees, Mark Batterson
5. Form Without Presence, Scott Boren
6. Potential = Purity, Mark Batterson
7. Great Leaders Challenge "The King," Scott Williams
8. Christian Schwarz Got It Right, Randall Neighbour
9. The Most Overrated Church Comment, Alan Danielson
10. John Ortberg and Spiritual Growth, Ben Reed
11. The Ten Reasons Small Groups Are the Primary Way to Change the World in a Post Post-Modern Era, Rick Howerton (The Gypsy Road)
12. Reasons People Think Their Small Group Failed, Ben Reed
13. Why Groups Fail, Ben Reed
14. The Agent of Mission, Scott Boren
15. Community Is Messy, Part 2: Sweat, Heather Zempel
16. First Small Group Gathering Ever, Alan Danielson
17. Healing the Past, John Eldridge
18. What No One Told Me, Heather Zempel
19. The Moment of Conception, Mark Batterson
20. Matt Carter: Transitioning "small group" to "missional community", Ben Reed