As we come into the season of Community Teams (Christ Community’s small groups) I see challenge and sense anticipation.
First, challenge. Due to the nature of being a Community Team leader some find it difficult to continue year after year. Many have taken a break for a year to come back and do it again once their batteries are recharged. The ones I’ve seen last for consecutive years have been the ones who see it as their personal ministry and calling. This year is no different. The challenge of this and this year is that we have about 7 community teams for 100+ people. Those are big teams! The challenge is the need for repeat and new leadership each year for community teams.
In previous years I would fret a bit about this. But this year, with the IN OUR JOY teams, I sense some anticipation about a few teams wanting to continue as discipleship groups. This really excites me! I believe the burden and desire for discipleship at Christ Community has always been present. We’ve tried many ways to encourage it and it’s happened to a small degree. I know much more happens than what we see. But when we speak of discipleship (a few people committing to grow, help one another grow / have a fruitful ministry and build others to do the same) it hasn’t happened on a wide scale for sure. Maybe that is about to change.
In light of this challenge and anticipation I have a request. If you are in an IN OUR JOY team and your team feels like that is the best arena for your Christian growth and ministry then I want to ask that you consider continuing on as a discipleship group. This will continue to be on your own initiative but as we identify discipleship groups we’ll provide some training and helps as you go. Continuing on would help ease numbers for Community Teams and move our church in, what I believe, a healthy direction. I say healthy because, in my experience, I’ve seen greater growth happen in smaller groups than large ones. It would be wonderful to see Christ Community grow in our discipling mentality and see more discipleship groups come on the scene.
Bottom line is my aim, as I’ve said so many times before, that anyone who considers Christ Community their home be in a community team or community team type setting (Impact, discipleship group, ladies Bible study, etc.) Each year we’ve hit 98% or so of our members. I’m looking for that to continue and will work to ensure that as far as possible.
Over the next few weeks you’ll see more info about who’s leading a community team, location and how to get involved.
If you’re considering continuing on from an IN OUR JOY team to an ongoing discipleship group, then please discuss it with your team and reply to let me know so we can have you on our radar.
Please join me in praying about all these matters. Lord, be at work!