Hands of Christ

So, it’s my vacation time. I won’t be in the office for nearly 2 weeks. What will I do with all of this time? Travel? Nope, it’s not in the budget. Rest? You bet. It has been a crazy fall season of ministry. Bake? Yes, the remaining days leading to Christmas. And, of course, blog…

My CONNECT group participated in the adoption of families from Lititz/Warwick Community Chest. During the Christmas season, LWCC makes its lists of needy households available to those who want to reach out to the community. Shamefully, Grace Church has not participated substantially in this program in the past. It’s not that we didn’t care. It’s not that we didn’t know. It’s that it didn’t fit.

But CONNECT is the future of Grace Church and CONNECT is missional and incarnational. That means that, as time goes on, we will become more focused on being involved in a redemptive way in the world, starting with our own neighborhoods. We are going to enter into our neighbors’ sufferings. We will carry their burdens. We will communicate with words and deeds that they are loved.

This is not a “social gospel.” We don’t even believe that we can fix all of the problems of the world. In fact, we believe that things on a macro level will actually get worse. But we are called to be light in the darkness. And, we are demonstrating that ours is not a Platonic faith. Plato taught that the spiritual domain was better than the physical. A lot of Christians have substituted a Platonic worldview for a biblical view of things. We believe in a physical resurrection! Your body, your neighbor’s body, even the physical world are important. No, this isn’t a social gospel, but rather a full gospel.

Early next year, I am going to invite our group leaders to a meeting where we will discuss how God wants to use CONNECT and Grace Church in 2010 (and beyond). Since Pastor Scott has declared that 2010 will be a Year of Prayer for our church, the timing seems perfect. What is prayer if not connecting to the heart and mind of our Lord? And how else do you determine the direction for the next season of life? Because, on that Day, we all want to be found faithful to our Lord and true to our calling.

So, this is how we’ll roll…

in carne - In the Flesh

Not only is CONNECT about being Missional. CONNECT is about being Incarnational. While Missional is all about how we approach our faith, how we seek to live out faithfulness, Incarnational is how our words, our lives, and our relationships are to be.

The term Incarnational comes from the Latin, in carne, meaning “in the flesh.” This is a theological term used by the Church Fathers to describe the 2nd Person of the Trinity, the Eternal Son, becoming Jesus, the God-man. Look around you and you will see the impact that that moment in history has had upon the world. At this time of the year, two-thirds of the world is celebrating Advent (adventus – “coming”) of Jesus. Does two-thirds of the world recognize Him as God in flesh? Certainly not! But they realize that we have built a consumer-based holiday around this unique event in human history. While US retailers might be afraid to wish customers “Merry Christmas,” places like Tokyo, Japan are littered with references to the Incarnation, even if only to lure holiday shoppers to their goods.

So what’s the significance of the Incarnation? Scripture calls Him Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). Look at the proclamation of Gabriel to Mary:

Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end… The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35

Look at what John wrote about this event and its implication:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth. John 1:14

Now, look at how Jesus described it in this exchange with Philip:

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:8-9

It is clear that the reason for the Incarnation goes far beyond God taking on mortal flesh in order to die as a substitutionary atonement for humanity. The significance of Christmas is God giving Himself to us. Christmas is about God drawing near to us. We can know God because He walked among us. How important was the Incarnation to the early church? John wrote, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-- this we proclaim concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

OK, by now you’re saying, “That’s all fine and dandy. That’s Christ! But what about us?” Glad you asked! :o) Look at what Jesus prayed for us, His church just before He went to Gethsemane and His appointment with the cross:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

The mission which was given by the Father to the Son has been given to us, His church. And, the evidence of the Father in Jesus is to be found also in His church. Jesus wants the world to look upon us and know about the love of God. Paul would write later that we are to have the same attitude as Christ who stepped down out of Heaven and set His rights as Creator God aside for the sake of His mission, even to the point of letting Himself be tortured and killed. I was going to end on this description, but the Word is powerful and beautiful. I’ll leave you with Paul’s exhortation to the Church of Jesus the Christ:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

CONNECT is Incarnational.

Merry Christmas! S

Missional

As I mentioned last week, CONNECT is about moving Grace Church toward being “Missional” and “Incarnational.” This week, we’ll look at what I mean by Missional. Come back next week for the meaning of Incarnational.

For a long time in America, the church developed as an organization. What God intends for His church certainly has organizational structure. However, the church is primarily an organism. As we learned in Ephesians during Grace Matters, the church is a family and we are God’s adopted children (1:5), His possession (1:14). We are His people (2:19), in relationship with Him and with each other (2:15-16). And we are His holy temple, His presence in the world (2:21-22). We are called His body, with each of us being gifted in unique ways so that when we minister together we represent Him in and for the world (1:22-23, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:11-27). The church is meant to be organic. Look at how Paul puts it:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16

Unfortunately, what was intended to be a people actively living out every moment of their lives in the name of Christ and for His Kingdom has become an institution. For a lot of churches in America, our faith has become a show on Sunday morning and a list of rules of things you can’t do. If you want to know where that path leads, look at Europe. The cathedrals are beautiful but empty. And, while you might find some “religion,” you’ll be hard-pressed to find “faith” outside of small pockets. And faithfulness is scarcer still.

During Grace Matters, we read the letter from Christ to the Ephesian church of the second generation, those who had taken the good seed of Paul and began to implement “church” (Revelation2:1-7). While they did some things quite well, Jesus accused them of leaving the love they had from the beginning, their passion for Him and for His Gospel. As a result, He threatened to take away their lampstand. In essence, the warning to these Christians is that they need to return to the service for which they were called or else they would be denied the power of the Spirit. If they were going to follow their own desires for the church, God would remove the only power that can truly make a difference among them and in the world. Frankly, this is the last thing any church, especially Grace, would ever wish to hear from their Lord.

Wow, that was a lot of background to get to the point. Being missional means being fully-engaged in the mission of the church. And the mission of the church is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). But guess what? Making disciples is something that happens in the world more than it does in a building on Sunday morning. While solid biblical preaching is clearly a vital part of the ministry of the church, as is the gathering of God’s people for worship, teaching without implementation is useless. Therefore, what happens beyond the boundaries of the church building and Sunday morning is significantly more important than what many churches have become.

Becoming a “church of small groups” at Grace Church is about living in faithfulness to our calling as God’s people. Our understanding of the Gospel of Grace as we studied it during Grace Matters must compel us to be “on mission” for God every moment of our lives. And since our identity in Christ is more corporate than individual, we’re compelled to pursue divinely-created community. This is crystal clear from Scripture. God wants us to be Missional. Therefore, CONNECT is Missional.

Come back next week as I look at the term “Incarnational.”

Touched by Grace

A huge part of our move toward becoming a church of small groups is our effort to align the entire church with our mission statement, to Meet as many people as possible and to help Move them to where God wants them to be. You have to admit that it’s difficult for the average church member to do much Meeting & Moving when his involvement in the ministry of Grace Church is limited to 1-2 hours on Sunday morning.

CONNECT is all about taking the church (read “the saints”) beyond the boundaries of 501 W. Lincoln Avenue. Church isn’t an event that happens weekly. We are the church every moment of every day! It’s not enough to create a quality worship experience three times each Sunday morning. Each and every one of us has been sent out to engage in the work of the Kingdom of God. And, as we found out in the Grace Matters series, God intends us to go out together. He made us for divinely-empowered community, community which reflects the very nature of God Himself. Let me tell you what that looked like for one of our groups…

A bunch of neighbors decided to form a group in their housing development. They were fortunate that there were nearly a dozen Grace households in their immediate vicinity. When the Taste of Grace Food Ministry began, they decided to use it as an opportunity to practice loving someone outside the church. They selected a recently-divorced woman and her daughters. Each month they would buy her at least one box of food and take it to her – no strings attached. They said that they were doing something for her out of love that would help ease her pain. Months later and a few weeks into Grace Matters, this woman bumped into a group member at a local store. She asked about the gathering of neighbors on Sunday nights and was told that is a group of people from the church who get together to challenge each other to live gospel-centered lives. It was also explained that right now they were diving deeper into the sermons that Pastor Scott was preaching. Then came the first unexpected question: “Oh, is that Grace Matters?” Then came the second: “Can I be part of that group?”

You see, she was moved by the unconditional love of the group members who brought her gifts of food each month. So, she decided to check out the church on the Internet. She started watching the Grace Matters sermons online and decided that she wanted to be part of this group of people who were trying desperately to live out the truths they proclaimed. Now, this gal is regularly attending Grace Church worship services on Sunday morning and then participating in this neighborhood group on Sunday evening. She is even participating in an outreach that this group is doing to a near-homeless family this Christmas.

CONNECT is all about moving Grace Church toward being “Missional” and “Incarnational.” Those are contemporary buzzwords that are often over- and mis-used. Check in over the next 2 weeks and I’ll share what I mean by each of these terms. And see how this type of ministry will help us fulfill our mission and ultimately be found faithful on the day we meet our Lord.

Excited and Thankful

So, it’s a rainy November Tuesday, just 2 days before Thanksgiving. I’m home today. My normal day off is Friday, but, since Friday is a holiday this week, I’m taking today to be away from the office. The girls are busy with school and Shawna is writing a huge email to someone, so I’m sitting at the kitchen table, looking out across my yard at the Grace Church construction zone.

There’s a lot to be thankful for. The construction is moving right along. Despite the predictions of the wooly bear caterpillars and the acorns, winter has not yet arrived with a vengeance. This means that the construction continues and we hope to have the steel structure added to the foam/concrete walls so that a roof can go up soon. The lobby is coming together, as well as the Welcome Center and Conference Room. There are a lot of changes at Grace Church and they’re changes that will help us Meet & Move more people.

The changes go beyond those evident to visitors to 501 W. Lincoln. We have a redesigned website that is very cool – do people use that word around here? Not only is the new look very contemporary, but the site is strategically laid out to communicate who we are becoming as a local church. There’s still lots to be done, especially to the CONNECT page, but it’s exciting to experience the new look and feel. It is a much better reflection of our church and our mission.

But the changes that I’m most thankful for are happening in our church family. Grace Matters is behind us now. You probably noticed that it has been 2 months since my last post. That’s because our CONNECT Team has been working frantically during that period. During Grace Matters, we saw a 55% increase in our CONNECT groups, with 45-50% of our adult congregation involved. In addition to that, Grace Matters proved to be a church-wide campaign as our Youth and ABF classes also participated in the series. Together, as a church family, we took a fresh look at Ephesians and the grace of God for us, His church. From the stories I have been hearing, there is new or renewed enthusiasm for being actively engaged in the work of the Kingdom of God. We saw 20 people commit to living out the fullness of the Gospel of Grace here at Grace Church by being baptized on the 15th. And, our Communion service on the 22nd was amazing as nearly 400 people came out to rejoice in all that God has done for us in the past, His ongoing presence today, and our anticipation of a future celebration with Him in Heaven. I saw many of our groups sharing in the Bread & Cup together. What an incredible way to wrap up the fall season!

Though Grace Matters is finished, our commitment to living out God’s plan for us is kicking into high gear. With Christmas upon us, many of our groups are reaching out to struggling families in our community. The local food pantry sent us names of local families that need a Christmas dinner. Our groups have begun planning for providing those groceries, and a whole lot more. They are ready to reach out to our neighbors to minister to them physically, emotionally, socially, and of course spiritually. Look at the update I received from one of our leaders:

Just wanted to update you. Our group made contact with (the mother) and are going to provide her with a Taste of Grace Christmas Meal Box, as well as some small gifts for all four of her children. We were also able to pray with her on the phone and have a very nice first touch. One of the couples in our group has minimal plans on Thanksgiving Day, so is contacting her again to see if they can deliver a meal on Thanksgiving as well! We’re really looking forward to blessing this whole family. Praying that our connection will be more than just a “drop off”.

Do you see why I’m excited and incredibly thankful to be here, ministering alongside such a great bunch of people? I’m reminded of what Paul wrote back to the Thessalonian Christians:

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. 1 Thess. 1:4-5

This Thanksgiving Season, I’m thankful for what the Lord has done and thrilled about what He still has for us.

Grace and Peace to you all in Christ Jesus, our LORD

FAQ #4

Is this a good study for my friend who is not a Christian? Yes! The gospel will be clearly explained and your friend will have multiple opportunities to put his hope and trust in the Lord.

Do I have to stop going to my ABF? No. It is your choice. Every ABF leader has been invited to participate in the Grace Matters study. Ask your leader if your ABF will be participating in Grace Matters. Alternatively, you may be curious about small groups and this would be a wonderful time for you to take group life on a test drive.

What happens at the end of the 8 weeks? That’s up to you. You could choose to continue as a group. You might decide that you enjoyed group life and want to continue, but you’d like to be in a different group. You might decide that you liked group but need to take a break through the holiday season and then start again after New Years. You might even decide that you don’t want to be in group any longer. Whatever you decide is fine. Your commitment was for the 8 week series. When it’s finished, so is your commitment. However, if someone in the group decides that your group is not where they feel God has called them to grow in faithfulness, they should be free to leave without guilt.

FAQ #3

Do you have to attend Grace Church to participate in Grace Matters? No. However, you will need to participate in the weekend message, either here at Grace or online.

How do I get into a group? It’s simple. Fill out the form found in your bulletin on August 30 and September 6. If you no longer have it, pick one up at the office during the week or in the lobby on Sunday. The interest form can be placed in the offering tub, returned to the office, or given to the CONNECT representative at the table in the sunroom. If you were unable to attend one of the 2 Connection Events we held on Sunday, September 20, our leadership team will help you find a group. Email us at CONNECThelp@lgbc.org.

Can I lead a group? We are always looking for people who care about others and are willing to learn how to manage a meeting time. If you would like more information about helping us lead a group, please email CONNECThelp@lgbc.org.

Can I form my own group? You bet! But try to invite people who live near you and who have common interests rather than your good friends. It makes for a much healthier dynamic. Also, if you know someone who is new to Grace Church, make sure you help them get connected to a group, either yours or another.

FAQ #2

How much will the Grace Matters study cost? Much like your redemption, the cost has been paid by someone else. There is no cost to you. The Grace Matters study guide can be picked up at the church or emailed to you.

Do you use a curriculum or the Bible? During the Grace Matters campaign, we are following a study guide which guides us through chunks of Ephesians. The main teaching from Scripture is done on the weekend, but it’s best to bring your Bible to group so you can follow the discussion there. If you’re the type to write notes in your Bible, you’ll have opportunities in group as we mine deeper into key points. After the series, should you continue as a CONNECT group, you have freedom in the studies you choose. Some groups follow a guide while others just mine into the Word. A healthy balance is the key.

What's the difference between Grace Matters and CONNECT? CONNECT is the Small Groups Ministry of Grace Church, while Grace Matters is a church-wide alignment series where the preaching of the weekend is followed by group discussion in small groups. The Grace Matters series involves both the weekend ministry and small group ministry of the church. Also, while Grace Matters ends the week of November 15, CONNECT groups have no term and therefore do not end.

What if I don't know my Bible that well? Is that okay? Absolutely. In fact, you could know nothing about the Bible or God and you could participate in the Grace Matters series. You will need a Bible for the study. If you don’t have a Bible and have difficulty getting one for yourself, please email CONNECThelp@lgbc.org.

FAQ #1

When and where do groups meet? Groups decide for themselves when and where they will meet. Ideally, they will meet during the week in a group member’s home. Some groups decide to rotate the host home responsibility each week. Others will go to the house that can best accommodate them. During the Grace Matters series, groups will meet every week since each study discusses the sermon just preached. To get the most out of the biblical content, you really need to track with the weekend messages. Some groups like to have an additional meeting each or every other week according to gender. This is a time to build deeper fellowship bonds. Guys tend to like breakfast meetings while gals tend to be more flexible. Funny, huh?

How long is a meeting? Typically, a group meeting is about 1½ to 2 hours long. Some groups are having such a great time that they hang out together after the study is officially over. That’s great, but a clear end time should be established so people who need to leave are free to do so.

How many people are in a group? Jokingly, we say that 12 is the upper limit since even Jesus lost one when He went to 13. Seriously, the size of your group is determined by space and personality type. The rule is that there shouldn’t be so many people that someone doesn’t have time to actively engage in the discussion. If someone doesn’t share, your group may be too large. There should also be adequate space to comfortably accommodate everyone. Shoot for 8-10.

Are groups separated by age or are they mixed? A group can be set up any way you like. However, the best groups are ones that are not a bunch of friends who are the same age and life stage. Although those conditions make you feel comfortable more quickly, they tend to be closed to new people and poor discipleship incubators, two of the key reasons you should be in a group.

What does a typical evening look like? While not prescribed, the typical meeting will start with a snack or meal and social time with a brief discussion of reflections from the previous week. Then the group will follow the discussion guide which has an ice breaker, study content, and a time of commitment. Of course, your group time should begin and end with prayer.

Can I bring my kids? If you want to bring your kids to group, you need to make that known up front at the time your group if formed. People have different preferences when it comes to involvement of their children. Some find sitters, some like kids from the group being together under supervision, and still others try to involve kids in their study time at appropriate levels and opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

While hundreds of people have asked to be connected to a group for the Grace Matters series, many people are hesitant. They have questions that they'd like answered. What should I expect in group? When do groups meet? How much does this cost? What about my kids? The list is long. This week, I will address the most common questions we have heard from you. It is my hope in doing so that you will feel comfortable enough to take a step of faith and take group life for a test drive. While I can't tell you exactly what your group experience will be like, I can certainly tell you what we've planned and about our basic expectations. If, at the end of this week, you have additional questions, please email CONNECThelp@lgbc.org or to me directly at scburghart@lgbc.org. Thanks, S

What happens after 8 weeks?

So what happens at the end of the 8-week series? Well, that’s up to you and the people in your group. I’d be lying if I told you I don’t care. I’m hopeful that the experience will have been so impactful that you will truly see the value of group life and want to continue, either in this group or another. Of course, 8 weeks is not really sufficient time to develop deep communal bonds, but it’s a taste of what can be yours if you commit to allowing the gospel to do what it is intended to do, namely create gospel community. What is gospel community? It’s something every human desires because we were made for it, but it’s radically different than anything the world can offer. When the world sees it, they are both dumbfounded and drawn toward it, like a moth to a flame. It’s what Jesus prayed for before He went to the cross:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23

But the choice is yours. Your commitment is finished at the end of the series. You can take some time off to accommodate the holiday season, simply celebrating with your group rather than diving into another study, or you may decide not to be in group at all. It’s your call. If you do drop out, you may be contacted to see why. This would not be for the purpose of trying to change your mind or to guilt you in any way. Rather, it is to help us understand where we failed you and your group.

The fact is, we believe that the gospel creates community that engages in the spread of the gospel. That’s what being a devoted follower of Christ is all about. This fall, our church family will explore the gospel of grace and its implications for the children of God, those called according to His name. We’re excited for what God will do over those few weeks as we get into the Word and allow the Word to get into us. Our prayer is that this would be an incredible journey for our entire church family as we explore the depths of God’s amazing plan.

If you have any additional questions about Grace Matters or CONNECT groups, please come to the Q&A session that we have scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 10am in Fellowship Hall.

So, how does this work?

So what does the 8-week Grace Matters series look like? Our groups will start meeting the week of September 27. The first session is designed to be an ice breaker, social event. It is a time for food and light conversation. It’s an opportunity to get to know the people in your group better, to become more comfortable with them. There will be a guide to help you, if you need it. Face it. Some of us are more social creatures while others tend to be “cautious.” This first meeting is intended to help us all relax with one another. There will be time for sharing about who we are. Not, “Hi, I’m John. I’m married to Rebecca. I’m an accountant.” More like, “When I was a kid, I always thought I’d be an astronaut. The thought of going someplace no one has ever been before thrilled me. I didn’t become an astronaut though. I’m running our family’s chicken farm, but I sense God still wants me to do something crazy, like fly to the moon.” You get the idea. Something about you that you couldn’t know from a driver’s license or resume. This will help your subsequent times together flow more naturally. We’re all fascinating creatures with amazing stories!

The remaining sessions will focus on mining into a couple aspects of the passage that Pastor Scott has preached on that week. Actually, Pastor Tim will start our series on October 4. Then our groups will meet on the day they have selected to discuss aspects of that message. Haven’t you ever sat in a service and heard something from the pastor and wanted to either ask for clarification or about the implications? Has there ever been a time where you just wanted to “talk it over” with someone, even if just to help you process your thoughts? That is what you will get with the Grace Matters study guide. We will give you the opportunity to engage in discussion of key components of the weekend message. Our team has been intentional about the areas of the passage on which we will be focusing our discussion. They were chosen because they help us to come to a fuller understanding of the key message that Paul is trying to convey. Are there other diamonds to be mined in the passage? Of course, but we would like for you to stay with the guide through the series. While it is incredibly valuable to study and discuss eternal security, that is a rabbit trail which will pull your attention away from the point of the letter. If you want to mine into those other areas, jot notes in your guide and come back to them once the Grace Matters series is completed. Next, after your study, you will be challenged to make a commitment. When we engage the Word of God, we should be compelled to respond. so we have given you an appropriate commitment opportunity at the end of each session. Some are personal commitments, while others are corporate. Finally, each week we have provided you with something to do through the week until your next meeting.

Are you overwhelmed or confused yet? Don’t be. Here’s an example of the commitment (Engage) and homework (This week…) sections from the first study:

• Engage: You will be asked to commit in group to follow thru with your commitment to the 8-week (by this time you will only have 6 left) study.


• This week…: You will be asked to take time during the week to read through the entire letter which Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians. It should take about 20 minutes. Maybe you could do it more than once. Once each day would be awesome!

Obviously, the study starts simple but it builds in commitment as Paul’s message unfolds. Ephesians is an amazing letter and our hope is that you would come away from this series with a firm understanding of what God is up to in the your life, at Grace Church, and through history. The message contained in Ephesians was sufficient to lift Paul beyond the reality of his Roman imprisonment and potential execution. Can you praise God for who He is and what He is doing despite your immediate circumstances? If the answer is “No” (and if we were to be honest, that is the answer for all of us at times), then we don’t fully appreciate the message of the Bible. Come join our church family on this incredible journey through God’s story. You’re in it. Don’t you want to know your part?

Tomorrow I’ll discuss what happens after the Grace Matters series…

Gettin' Connect'd

So, you’re ready to take a group for a test drive. You have arranged your fall schedule so that you have a couple options for group night. You haven’t connected with anyone about being in group together, but you have received your invitation to our Connection Event. But what’s that? As the date approaches, your anxiety increases. “What kind of horror is this nut from California going to put me through next? Wasn’t it bad enough that I had to step WAY outside my comfort zone to agree to 8 small group meetings? What now? Will I be placed on an auction block and go to the highest bidder? This reminds me of when we were choosing teams for kickball when I was a kid. No one wants to be the last one picked! No one wants to be the kid nobody wants on their team!!! I just can’t handle this kind of pressure!”

OK. Relax. Breathe! You’ll be fine. When you arrive at the Connection Event, you will see snacks and people milling about getting to briefly meet each other. Eventually, we will ask everyone to be seated and you will be given a couple ice breaker exercises, what we affectionately call “forced fun.” You’ll have an opportunity to shuffle to another group if you feel that you might die if you have to continue being with the current group for 1 more minute. Then we’ll do another brief exercise. Finally, you’ll determine if you can function as a group for the 8-week series. If you can, you’ll add your name to a paper roster and be told how to move forward as a group. Very likely, you will meet your group coach at that time also. Anyone who feels they simply didn’t find a group that they could tolerate will be placed on another roster for placement elsewhere, probably in an existing group.

Any questions about this process? Any suggestions? Drop me and email at scburghart@lgbc.org.

I'm worried! I don't know how to do group!

So, you think you might want to take a CONNECT small group for an 8-week test drive, but you want to know that the track is safe. Well, the CONNECT ministry team is here to do what we can to help your experience be a good one.

Every new group will be invited to have a couple representatives from their group come to our New Group Orientation meeting. In this concise session, you will learn about small group dynamics and the desired outcomes of group time. You will learn how to help people feel welcome and safe in group. You’ll also get a brief look at the Master small group leader, Jesus. Think about it. In 3 short years, He took a ragtag bunch of incompatible misfits from an oppressed nation and created a movement that transformed the world. Do you think you might be able to learn something from Him? We’ll look at His methods, His message, and the outcomes He desired to see from His teaching. You’ll also get information on how to manage a meeting and how to use the study guide.

Finally, and probably most importantly, you will be told that you are not alone on your journey. Every group is given a coach. Your coach is a member of our leadership team, someone directly involved in the group that created this study series. Your coach is there to guide you through any difficulties you might encounter on the journey. Yes, there will be situations that create conflict of varying degrees; that’s what happens when sinners get in close proximity. But conflict is not bad if it resolved biblically. Whether the issue is theological, relational, or methodological, your coach is your ally. He’s not there to keep an eye on you. His job is to watch out for you. And you won’t have to worry about administrative duties for your group. Your coach will teach you how to use our groups database which emails you a simple form for submitting administrative information quickly electronically.

Frankly, if your group is new, the more people you can bring to the New Group Orientation meeting, the better the chances are that you will have a smooth ride through the Grace Matters series.

Tomorrow, we’ll look at the Connection events…

I'm Interested... I think

This week, I am going to explain how the fall season is going to work. This promises to be very boring (hopefully I can spice it up a little) but very informative and necessary. I’ve found in the year that I have been here that Lancaster (and Lebanon) County folks generally need to know every last detail before they are willing to commit to something. We will do our best to help you with any concerns or uncertainties you might have.

Yesterday, you found an Interest Form concerning the Grace Matters series. We have already received back dozens of these forms. Thanks for your eagerness to go deeper with the weekend message with a small group of others from your church family. For those who are still considering group, please try to get your completed forms back to us by next Sunday, September 6.

Everyone who submits an Interest Form will receive a letter in the mail. This letter will serve as confirmation of receipt of your form. Also, there will be instructions concerning the three options you will have for getting into a group. We wish to make this as accommodating to your lifestyle as possible. Briefly, those three options are:

• Use our GroupFinder Database to join an existing group,


• Give us a list of other people with whom you would like to be in group (Note: you should probably check with them before putting their name on a list.), or


• Come to one of the Connection Events we are planning for later in September. At a Connection Event, you will have the opportunity to mingle with others who are looking to participate in our group interaction and hopefully find people who feel like a match for you.

Soon, we will be posting an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) informational page. If you have questions now, please email them to CONNECThelp@lgbc.org. If general enough, they will be included in the FAQ. If more specific in nature, we will respond directly via email or phone.

Come back tomorrow to find out what the CONNECT Leadership Team will do to help your group experience be the best it can be.

"Teach Me, Father"

Most people would agree that one of the greatest ways to grow in any endeavor is by having a committed mentor. But let’s deal with reality. Very few people are so committed to discipling others that they are willing to enter into a mentoring relationship. Frankly, most people don’t have the time. Yet, the number one regret I hear from younger people, especially men, is that no one from the more-seasoned generation is willing to mentor them.

Most people partly fill this need through friendships, i.e., peer relationship. Group provides the structure required to take something that every one of us knows we desperately need and make it more intentional. Furthermore, I want to drop a plug in here for multi-generational groups. When the generations mix, it’s a beautiful thing! The more mature generation lends wisdom and prudence to the younger generation. They represent the “fathers” of the faith, people who have traveled the road of faithfulness and know the hazards along the path. What a blessing they are to the next generation. But the fathers also have something to gain from intergenerational relationships. They get to be fully-engaged in the battle with the powers of darkness. You see, a few decades earlier, they were on the front lines of the battle for the Kingdom of God. But now, they often feel as though the church has “outgrown” them and it’s not their church anymore. However, when they find a place where they can fill the God-designated role for them in His church, they once again feel as though they are contributing vitally to God’s work of redemption in the world.

Don’t have time to mentor? Get in a multi-generational group where you can pour into the life of the next generation. Need a mentor? Need peer relationships? Get into a multi-generational group where you will be exposed to both those who have incredible wisdom to share with the next generation and those alongside of whom you will be battling the forces of the evil one.

Doing Church or Being the Church

This post has a bit of overlap with a previous post, but I feel so strongly about this that it merits its own entry. Group life is the best way I know to help Christians to begin being the church rather than to fall into the trap of doing church. There’s something I heard from Greg Laurie years back that has stuck with me: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than hanging out at McDonalds makes you a hamburger!” OK, so the analogy breaks down a bit, but you have to love the core of the message, namely that you can spend your entire life in a church and never really get it. How many times have you listened to an excellent sermon, one which exposed the truth of the Word very clearly, and heard the applications, even challenges, offered by the preacher, and nodded in agreement, yet failed to follow through?

It is a very difficult thing to be in a group, agree on an item of action, and then flake out. It’s called peer pressure, or better yet, peer accountability. All of us know of the sway that others can have on behavior. Unfortunately, most of the time we recognize the negative potential from peer influence rather than seizing the good that God actually designed into us as social creatures. In community, we have every opportunity to actually put feet to our faith and live out our calling. And others will be there to help you "get 'er done." But, be forewarned: You can still flake out, but you’re going to have a much harder time explaining it away.

Read this blog post: http://ricksthoughtsandramblings.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-bike-ride-and-great-small-group.html

Integrity

I was told a few days ago that one family (likely, only one) was very excited to have me come to Grace Church because I hadn’t been a pastor all of my life – like Scott, Tim, and Whitey came from the womb thumping a Bible. Frankly, what this dear saint was trying to say was that pastors ask “common Christians” to do too much, that we don’t understand the demands of life.

Frankly, I would say that the American church has become something that you do in a certain place (for us, a building on a plot of land at 501 W. Lincoln in Lititz) at certain times. Those times in the American Christian culture are Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. It’s what’s expected. Some churches expect you to be there “whenever the doors are open and the lights are on.” And a tremendous amount of energy is exerted trying to guilt you into serving the multitude of programs that the church offers to attract more people into our fellowship. This puts tremendous stress on the lives of the few people who accept this modus operandi, this way of doing “church.”

One huge reason I am an advocate of small groups is that groups shatter these views of faithfulness and church. We are not called to a spiritual or sacred life that lives in opposition to our “real” life in the “secular world.” We are called to allow the truths of the gospel message to transform us in the midst of a rebellious world. We are called to “be” the church, not to “do” church. And as far as a compelling, attractive message… How about transformed lives and peace in the midst of turmoil, even tribulation? I love group life because it forces us to live out our faith and to do it in the regular routine of life. It becomes incredibly difficult to live a life caught in the tension of compartmentalization when you have others in your life, preferably daily, who are invested in you and even relying on you.

Are you worried that you might be living a life of lies, the life of a hypocrite? Get into a healthy group. You think it will take more of your time away. It will actually help you to organize, prioritize, and integrate your life. Christ asks us to live in community, and He claimed, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 NLT). Do you believe Him? Do you trust Him?

Breaking Free of Culture

There are a lot of obstacles to growing in the Christian faith. Many of them are within us, patterns and routines we follow, things that we hold as essential truths. These are things that we learn as we grow, some from family, some from formal education, and most from the culture. I blogged a couple weeks back about one of those patterns that we are taught by the educational culture, namely that summer is a time to disengage. Today, I’d like to blog about another.

Being an American means that you value freedom. Especially in this area of the country, the birthplace of the American Revolution, we learn that freedom is a HUGE issue. And, in case you needed a little more help learning that, look around town, at the end of your block, or maybe in your own backyard, and see the ancient grave markers, constant reminders that freedom is worth fighting for, even worth dying for. However, what was fought for and achieved a couple hundred years ago was something radically different than what we call “freedom” today. We have enculturated “individualism,” and in the extreme “libertinism,” as our highest values. The values of our Forefathers have been corrupted, and we no longer have a place for “We the people” and “the common good.”

These definitions of “freedom” are decidedly foreign to the Bible and pure Christian faith. We certainly make personal confessions of faith, but we are expected to live out the implications of our commitment in community. At its core, the Christian life is one modeled after Christ, and His life was characterized as one that gave up personal freedoms and poured out life for the sake of others. This is something that you gradually learn how to do when you commit to living intimately in Christian community. You learn how to live and love like Christ.

Train Your Children Well

For any of us who are parents, we have concerns over whether we are raising our kids rightly, if they will turn out OK. For Christian parents, the concern is that they would also become Christians. However, we all have different approaches toward reaching those goals. Some see their primary responsibility as bringing their kids to church where they will be exposed to the Christian message and culture. Others take a more hands-on approach, teaching their children through devotions, Bible studies, and the like. Maybe they’ll put their kids into Christian school trying to immerse them in Christian culture.

Can I suggest something that has been perhaps more significant in our life than all of those wonderful things? It’s small group. Now I can hear most of you thinking, “Sure he’ll say that – He’s the Groups guy!” But hear me out. You have to admit that most of what your kids truly learn and adopt is caught, not taught. They look to parents, grandparents, peers, and cultural icons to determine how they will live their lives. And we have found, and seen in the lives of countless others, that when we live out the implications of the gospel which we profess, when our kids see us seeking to live faithful lives in the community which God has prepared for us, it has a profound impact on their spiritual development. Our kids have seen us shuffle our schedule, even say “no” to some neat opportunities, because our fellowship community was a priority for us. Our daughters learned how to love people, even difficult people, through our group experiences. They learned how to serve and how to encourage others. They have learned to look for spiritual gifts in others and point out those they see. Most importantly, they understand what it means to belong and how the worst experience of life is not physical pain, but the pain of loneliness and separation, from God and from His people.

Do you want your kids to grow spiritually? I suggest that you consider how you can start living out your faith in ways that are intentional. A great way is to get involved in a group. Make the hard decisions that carve out time for community. And take your kids along on the journey. They’re watching you to see what you really believe – our behaviors betray the innermost desires of our hearts.

The Summer Riddle?

So, what is it about summer? We should have the very most available time. Kids aren't in school. Most of their extracurricular activities are on hold. Days are significantly longer. But we have less time. It's like being a kid at Disney, a million things to do and experience collide with the physical realities of time, space, and energy. So we either run ourselves to death, like that kid, because we want it all and we must have it now, or we make some things priorities and say "No" to the rest.

Which are you? How do you choose which things to do, assuming you do? To set priorities, you must have a standard against which you test everything. This is your worldview; it's how you attribute value. So, what's your standard?

Prayer Request

I need to ask all of you to pray for me this week. I know that I set this blog up to be about the CONNECT Ministry and said that it wouldn’t be about me, but there are times when you feel totally overwhelmed. You cry out to God for deliverance and it doesn’t come. In the silence you seem to hear Him say, “My grace is sufficient.” You wonder if this isn’t another season of testing, where God asks you to demonstrate your true faith, not the phony stuff you show everyone else on Sunday morning, but the true depth of your commitment to and reliance upon Him. And it’s especially at times like that they you find you desperately need the community of faith, fellow Christ followers who will cover you in prayer and speak into your misery the encouragement that will help you stand strong. “You can make it. Persevere. We are here to walk this road alongside you.”

Tomorrow, three teenage girls will be flying in from California to spend a week with their friend, my daughter, Courtney. DON’T LAUGH! THIS IS SERIOUS! You see, I am the only male person in this household. I have a wonderful wife and two precious, teenage daughters. I bought a male dog, but they even conspired against his manhood. I now call him “Unique,” but he’s more of a eunuch. So, to three females and an emasculated dog we add three more teenage females! And here’s the worst part: we have only two bathrooms!!

So, pray for me as only loyal brothers and sisters in Christ can. And I’d love to hear your suggestions for coping with these unbearable circumstances. Perhaps I should find a pool hall to hang out at. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo. Or… I’ve always wanted an excuse to buy a Harley.

What Does God Want Now?

A passion of mine is listening to the preaching of the Word of God. If you were to borrow my iPod, you’d be disappointed if you were hoping for music. It’s filled with Sunday sermons and leadership messages. A mentor of mine taught me that I don’t have to work so hard if I continually sharpen my axe. That’s what I do when I have time alone (driving, mowing, etc,).

But not all preaching is wonderful. Sadly, I have listened to many pastors present the gospel as purely a sin problem in the present. “You’re a sinner…You deserve punishment…You can’t save yourself…Jesus, who is God, paid the price Himself…If you put your trust in Him, He will save you from your punishment…[maybe something in here about repentance, depending on the ‘flavor’ of the church]…Now you can look forward to a wonderful future place with God.” Don’t misunderstand. I believe this all to be true. However, is that the fullness of the message of the Bible? That’s a rhetorical question. The answer to anyone who has seriously considered God’s Word is a resounding “No!”

The sad thing is that, although we do a great job of distilling the message of salvation down to “Four Spiritual Laws” or a few verses in Romans, that is not God’s entire plan, and we generally do a pathetic job of communicating the full message of the Word. What’s worse, we call that “the gospel.” Well, the term we translate as “gospel” (euangelion) literally means “good news.” Now, news that helps you deal with your sin problem is good indeed. However, the term was used to identify a message concerning victory in war or the birth or enthronement of a king. When Jesus spoke of the gospel, it was usually concerning the Kingdom of God. Also, in the New Testament epistles, the gospel is much broader than the solution to the sin problem of individuals. Even in Romans, Paul’s presentation of the gospel goes well beyond our familiar Romans Road version.

If Christ is King, what is expected of His subjects? Did God save you because He simply couldn’t imagine spending eternity without you? [Again, a rhetorical question… “No!”] If the gospel message is about God’s Kingdom being established and the powers of darkness being defeated, if Christ has redeemed you from enslavement and established you among His people with a place in His Kingdom, are there any expectations that naturally flow from those truths? Our salvation is not the equivalent of a “Get out of jail free” card. So, what does God want from you now?

God Moving His Mighty Hand

When is the last time you read the book called Judges in the Old Testament? I’ll confess that this is one of the most difficult for me to read. It’s not because it is filled with the Law, like Leviticus, or because it has never ending lists (Numbers) or genealogies (1 Chronicles). It’s because I see myself in the description of God’s people during the days of the judges. The plot is rather simple. God shows up and blesses Israel and they praise Him for His provision. Then, they basically say, “We’ve got it from here, Lord,” and they proceed to ignore Him and His commands and to pursue after other gods, “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals” (Judges 2:10-11). Time and time again, they would forget the Lord and wander. And time and time again, the Lord would allow their enemies to oppress them. Then they would cry out again and the Lord would answer by sending a deliverer. And the cycle starts all over again.

In the times of my greatest failures, I realized that I was doing what seemed right in my own mind and not abiding in the Lord. It’s not that I was doing “bad” things; it’s that I was working out my plans under my power. They were times when I essentially said, “I have it from here, Lord. You can go help someone else who really needs it.” How arrogant! How foolish!

A mentor of mine taught me godly leadership this way, “Remember the sons of Issachar. They are commended in Scripture for their wisdom in this way, ‘men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do’” (1 Chronicles 12:32). He impressed upon me that the job of the leader is to discern where God is moving His mighty hand and to get right there and “ride the wave,” to use my Southern California lingo. And my experience has been that, when you do that, it’s like riding a tsunami!

We are in the midst of perhaps the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Everyone is affected, even if they still have a steady income. I trust that God’s people are calling out to Him to rescue us, to rescue this nation. Both inside and outside of the church, people are looking for deliverance. Many hope that our new president is the one whom God has sent. I won’t speak to that. I will tell you where I see God moving His hand. It’s right here at Grace Church.

We just launched our new food ministry, Taste of Grace. We had dozens of people in the church indicate that they wanted to be involved in this benevolence-based outreach. Their hearts were for hurting families, both inside and outside of our congregation. They brought diverse passions. Some wanted to see mommies take excellent care of their children. Some wanted to see our church demonstrate its compassion in a tangible way. Some wanted to reach out into our communities and meet people at a basic need in order to begin the process of helping them move to where God wants them to be. In a mere six weeks, we formed a leadership committee which carried this ministry from concept to reality. And it was clear that God was moving among the people at Grace since we generated orders for 166 boxes with very little promotion.

Here are some comments that have come in to the Taste of Grace email account (tasteofgrace@lgbc.org):

I just learned of this extraordinary opportunity regarding, "Food for All". I see that I missed the cutoff to apply for July. Is there any possible way to place an order for July? I have two children, ages six and eight and was laid off the end of May. I could really use the help. If not, is there a cancellation list in case someone does not show up to pick up their order? My phone number is . I live right down the street from Grace so it would not be a problem if it were last minute. I would be more than happy to come if someone cancels......Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I will be there by noon on July 11th. I am so excited and grateful that the girls and I may be able to purchase groceries inexpensively. It's been difficult and brings tears to my eyes that you provide such help:) What a blessing to learn about your program. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful benefit. When I start working again, I will be happy to help contribute donations and provide help with distribution to give back!

Good morning – one of your church members told me about the Taste of Grace food ministry you are operating. My husband and I are interested in participating. I searched your website for details but couldn't find answers to some of our questions. What's the scoop? How can we be involved? I'll check back when the August menu is posted. This is an awesome ministry! Thanks

Good Morning Pastor Steve, I hope this finds you healthy & well. I saw you in the lobby yesterday prior to the 10 am service and wanted to talk to you about The Taste of Grace Ministry. Sunday mornings are a busy time and you were chatting with several people and I thought it best to catch you today via email. I’ve been attending Lititz Grace for the past 2 years. I actually met you last fall at a CONNECT meeting. I’ve been praying for quite some time as to how I could serve God and utilize my passion for healthy & wellness at LGBC. When Pastor Scott announced Taste of Grace, I got very excited. I’m an Oncology Nutritionist and in the past I have taught nutrition classes as a ministry to people within the church body, to help them learn about good stewardship of the body God has blessed us all with. As a dietitian, I know that we need nutritious food to give us strength and energy and those principles are also found within God’s Word. As a part of Taste of Grace are you interested in providing any nutrition teaching in handouts or other forms to participants? I would love to provide any service I can in this area.

Hi. My wife and I were wondering if you need things like loose leaf lettuce and spinach to give to people? Let us know.

It’s clear to me that God has prepared Grace Church to reach out through the Taste of Grace ministry. He has allowed the times. He has provided the workers and prepared the hearts. And He is drawing the people. My hope and prayer for the people of Grace Church is that they would be faithful. The leadership of Taste of Grace is doing all that they know to do. We have a marketing team that is distributing brochures to places where people in need gravitate (schools, social services, fire, police, etc.). But the most effective method of getting the word out will continue to be a grassroots movement. Take literature to those you know, especially those who don’t know the Lord, those who are looking for a cause, or those who can benefit from affordable groceries. Buy boxes and take them to the desperate, widows, the fatherless. Do you have other ideas? Comment on this post or email Taste of Grace (tasteofgrace@lgbc.org).

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Get yourself into position where God is moving His hand and enjoy the ride of your life!

Man Creates His "Ideal" Group Experience

A lot of what I’ve done over the past 9 months is to talk with people at Grace Church about group life and our vision for the CONNECT Ministry. Many think that groups are simply about feeling connected to Grace Church. Certainly, that is part of our desire, helping the hundreds of people who have come to Grace in the last few years become well-integrated into our church family. Of course, being a “Church of Small Groups” means so much more than that, and I will blog more fully on that in the weeks to come.

I want to talk a little about the reactions I have received, one in particular. Most people at Grace had never experienced anything like what we are currently creating in the CONNECT Ministry. And with anything new, there’s a degree of fear. Perhaps that’s too strong a word… let’s say “uncertainty.” “Who will be in my group?” “What if I don’t like them?” “Will they expect me to share the deepest hidden things in my life, the things that even make me hate myself?” “What if I’m not accepted?” The comment I get is usually, “I’m looking for a group of people who are (like me).” The “like me” is defined in a lot of different ways. Maybe it’s young couples with preschool kids. Maybe it’s 20-something singles. Maybe it’s 50-something empty nester professionals in Manheim Township who like golf and hunting and their wives make the best venison sausage you’ve ever imagined! You get the point. They want to minimize diversity in the hope that they’ll fit in. This isn’t wrong, and it is understandable.

However, it’s not God’s design for His church. Our community is intended to be profoundly diverse. God intends the world to look at our community and say, “What’s up over there? Those people shouldn’t even be talking to one another and look at the love and commitment they have among them!” It’s something that everyone desires deep in their heart, community where they can be accepted, even celebrated for who they really are, who God created them to be. No more masks. No more pretending. No more rejection. Frankly, when we think that real community can only happen when everyone is “just like me,” it demonstrates that we don’t fully appreciate that authentic Christian community is not something that we create; it is a work of God Himself.

There’s nothing wrong with getting into a group that looks a lot like you. It’s a great place to start if you’re unsure about group life and want to “test the water.” My hope is that you wouldn’t settle there for years. God’s people are not like the yacht club. They are like the Coast Guard. There are ships being tossed about mercilessly on tumultuous seas and the Coast Guard is on a rescue mission. Age, skin color, life stage, social status, language, even citizenship aren’t taken into consideration. They are people worth saving. The incredible thing about God’s people is that no one is the “right” demographic. We’ve all been adopted into this family by a gracious Father.

Take a look at this video of a man who created his “ideal” group experience. Perhaps not perfect, but perfectly safe. Enjoy...

What To Do With the Talker…

When a group first starts out, it usually takes a bit of time to get the conversation freely flowing. People need to get to know one another and become comfortable with the environment before they open up and share. How long this takes is dependent upon a number of variables and the leader of the group is generally the one who helps or hinders this process. People tend to share best when the leader models transparency, even vulnerability, for the group.

But sometimes, group members are ready to unload. Especially in our culture, people carry tremendous burdens for fear of rejection or judgment for sharing areas of their life that they are struggling with. Whether it’s a persistent temptation or a deep wound from the past, people struggle with their desire to find support and guidance in community and their anxiety over the reaction of those trusted. Group members who share quickly have determined that the benefit of sharing outweighs the risk involved. Sometimes, the disclosure is overwhelming; sometimes it’s even inappropriate.

Groups need to be aware of the struggle that the talker is dealing with and respond in an appropriate manner. Some will want to respond with God’s truth and others with His love. Both are needed! Love without truth leads to co-dependency. Truth without love usually tends to wound rather than to promote healing. These are Meeting and Moving opportunities and we need to minister like Christ to the person sharing such issues. Remember that the Lord’s harshest words were reserved for the self-righteous, not for the broken.

Sometimes, you’ll have the person who just loves to talk. Maybe it’s deep. Maybe it’s for attention. Again, the group, especially the leader, needs to allow time and space for this person to be heard, but also limit his/her time so that everyone has a chance to engage in group discussion. Often, one-on-one time outside group is necessary to explain to the over-talker that they need to be respectful of everyone’s need to be heard. When your group gets to the point of comfort and health, you can all begin to rejoice in the talker. Remember, it’s the talker who will usually help your group to reach out to others – after all, that means more people to hear him/her talk. :o)

Enjoy this clip. Often, they are just born talkers (no comments on gender!)…

Taste of Grace

Those of us who have put our faith and hope in Jesus, understand and value the grace of God in our lives. We know that the grace He has given to us is not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. Our God is a giver. He gave us His own Son. This is the reason that we are generous people – we are being made in the likeness of our Savior and He is a self-sacrificial giver.

But these are difficult economic times, both within the church and in our communities. People have lost savings, retirements, even jobs. Face it, we have experienced times of plenty in the past, but these are lean years for most and desperate times for many. And these are the times that the Lord has ordained and His message to His people remains unchanging…

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

So, what should be the response of the people of God to the tribulation in the world? We are to be like Jesus. How was/is Jesus? He loved people so much that He sacrificed everything to meet them right where they were, in their blindness, in their debility, in their poverty, in their depravity. And what did He do? He offered them a taste of the grace of God. So that is what we are going to do.

Taste of Grace is a food ministry that is beginning here at Grace Church this month. Through this program, we want to help people meet their need for nutritious food. This is an opportunity for us to put feet to our faith. For those in our church who are struggling, this ministry will help them feed their family. For those who have enough or even much, Taste of Grace provides opportunities to be better stewards of the blessings God has given. And for those who have no relationship with Grace Church, we have another way to show that we care because we are devoted to a God who cares.

Let me tell you about one CONNECT group that is already using this ministry opportunity. Our Lancaster group is having a Bake/Yard Sale this weekend. All of the proceeds are going toward buying food boxes for sharing in their area. Additionally, they are distributing fliers on the ministry to everyone who visits their event. They see Taste of Grace as a God-given opportunity to reach out with the Gospel of Grace to a hurting, desperate world.

Is this just about food? Of course not! It’s about rightly understanding that every person is made in the image of God, precious in His sight, and deserving of dignity. It’s about building relational bridges over which the gospel can be shared. It’s about meeting people wherever they are and using all that God has given us to help move them to where He wants them to be. It’s about Christ being formed in us. It’s about faithfulness.

For more information, visit the Taste of Grace web page (www.lgbc.org/TastofGrace.htm) or email to tasteofgrace@lgbc.org.

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him! Psalm 34:8

Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group (part four)

Today, we wrap up our look at Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group. Here are the Reasons #7 & #8:

7. You will deepen your understanding of worship.
Many believers mistakenly believe that worship can only happen on Sunday morning in a large group with a sermon, a choir, and an offering plate! Worship happens any time we focus on God. Sometimes that happens best in a smaller group by praying or singing together. Perhaps the most special time in a CONNECT group setting is when the members come together to share in the bread and the cup of Communion. Group helps you to become a full-time worshipper of God.

I shared earlier this week about the group that breaks out in song during their study time. I also know that our culture is very uncomfortable with that and I don't want to communicate that every group should worship this way. However, there are many ways to respond to God and any that acknowledge Him for who He has revealed Himself to be in Scrpture is considered an act of worship. So, where does worship happen in your life? Might you worship "better" if you have others in your life who encourage you to do that? You were made to worship God.

8. You will be a New Testament Christian!
The book of Acts is very clear about how God intends for His people to grow and have their needs met in the church. The responsibility of meeting the needs of the members of the church belongs to the church, not the hired staff. That is God’s design for His people. The role of the pastor is to equip the church for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12).

Consider these verses:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Every day they continued to meet together... they broke bread in their homes and ate together... and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:42

“Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Rom. 16:5

“Aquilla and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord and so does the church that meets at their house.” 1 Cor. 16: 19

“Give my greetings...to Nympha and the church in her house.” Col. 4: 15

Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group (part three)

We're continuing to look at Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group. Here are the Reasons #5 & #6:

5. You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, neighbors, relatives, and work associates.
It may be that some of your friends who don’t know the Lord wouldn’t be caught dead in a church. They have preconceived ideas and just the thought of church makes them defensive. But those same people may be open to an invitation to a casual Bible discussion in a home. In a CONNECT group, your unbelieving friend can ask questions and express honest doubts without feeling put on the spot. When your friend sees the love and warmth and honesty within your group, it will make him more receptive to the Good News.

One group had a block party. I realize that doesn't sound like evangelism, but it's considered a "Level 1" event for evangelism. What happens at a Level 1 event? Well, you build relationships! This group decided that the gospel compels them to reach out to others. They also realized that the sense of community that had been lacking from their own lives was certainly shared by their neighbors. Within the group, God had placed "party planners," individuals who know how to host a great party. The group divided up the preparation and invitation responsibilities, prayed for the event and all of the neighbors who had been invited, and then partied! Was part of the plan to share the 4 Spiritual Laws with each person at the party? NO! Were they ready to look for opportunities to "turn" a conversation in a spiritual direction? YES! Were they going to force conversation that way? Certainly not. The purpose was to begin building relational bridges over which the gospel can be shared at another time. And they pulled this off because it was done as a group, dividing cost and responsibilities and encouraging one another to be faithful to the leading of the Lord. By the way, they experienced a tremendous turnout and the afternoon party didn't break up until nearly 10pm. When they were asked for the reason for the party, they simply explained that they were involved together in a small group and figured that they were lacking meaningful connection so they assumed that everyone else shared that condition. They were right. And now they can work toward meeting these families wherever they are and helping move them into a right relationship with God and others.

6. You will develop leadership skills you never knew you had!
The Bible teaches that every believer is given at least one spiritual gift to benefit others in the family of God. Unfortunately, most Christians remain Sunday morning spectators all their lives because large group meetings are primarily “sit and listen” situations. As you share and participate in a healthy CONNECT group environment, you’ll be exposed to opportunities to discover and to understand the gifts God has given to you. You’ll grow closer to one another and to God as you trade “doing church” for “being the church.” You’ll begin to live a life of significance.

Six months ago, if you had asked "Jim" if he was a leader, he would have said "No way!" In fact, that's exactly what he told me. But with training, encouragement, and coaching, he is a very successful CONNECT group leader today. His group has a great time together, experiencing meaningful study and discussion time, fantastic fellowship time (you can't go wrong when the group meets at Rita's!), and involvement in outreach in the community. And all of this in less than six months and from a guy who thought God couldn't use him to shepherd a small flock. Does that excite or frighten you?

Tomorrow, we wrap up the Eight Reasons to Join a CONNECT Group