Go slow. . Any changes must be communicated clearly, demonstrated biblically and made slowly.
Be theological/scriptural. …missional is, above all, a theological movement. It is rooted in the Missio Dei (the “Mission of God”). God the Father sent the Son, the Father and Son Sent the Spirit and just as the Father sent the Son, so Jesus sends His people into the world (Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21, etc.). Any transition to missional must be rooted in Scripture rather than pragmatics.
Clearly define your terms. Missional communities are small groups but they are not simply small group bible studies. Missional Communities seek to develop transparent relationships of Gospel accountability but they are not simply accountability groups. Missional communities are focused on re-orienting our entire lives around living on mission, but they are not simply outreach groups. If we are not clear in defining missional communities in our churches, tradition will be more than happy to define them for us.
Lead by example. A leader’s most powerful tool in a shift towards missional community is example. Jesus led by serving (Mark 10:45, etc.) and so should His people. … Take people with you. Lead by example.
Don’t neglect community. It’s possible that we can become so focused on mission that we find ourselves neglecting community. … We have been created to exist (and to minister) in relationship. Seek to implement ways of living missionally that are community-centered.
Center each community around a tangible mission with the clear end-goal of making disciples. … each mission must be targeted at making disciples, they must include relationships with non-believers.
Celebrate successes/share stories. It’s important to continually share stories of success. Just as we need to be led by example in community, we need to be encouraged and challenged by those who have had breakthroughs. Continually have church members share their own stories of living on mission (not just the successes but also the failures, this is a hard calling and we need to not only see success but be reminded that we’re not alone in struggle). This will not only provide a picture of what living on mission might look like for some people, it will reinforce the community piece, reminding each one of us that we’re not in this alone.
Focus on Jesus. We must never forget that this is all about Jesus. We are not on mission to get people to join our church but to know Jesus.
Now that we’ve started an Engage Group at Grace, I want to start posting items that may be of benefit to the group and that can provide encouragement to start additional groups at church. To kick things off, here is a challenge from John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis about why churches need small groups and community
Do you believe the historic Scriptures to be the inerrant, inspired Word of God, the only infallible authority on Christian faith and practice?
Do you whole-heartedly affirm the historic Christian faith – the gospel, the church and God’s mission – as taught by the elders of this church and as lived out in the practices of this community; and if at any time you come to disagree with any of the fundamentals of the gospel, the church or God’s mission as your fellow elders hold firm, through the Scriptures, will you take initiative to make known your change in views to your fellow elders?
Do you affirm Sojourn’s constitution, her government and church discipline practices thoughtfully drawn from the general principles found in the Bible?
Do you promise a heart of peace and unity toward your brother elders and your church family?
Do you affirm that you have been driven, as best you know of your own heart, to desire the work of an elder in this church by your love of God and a sincere desire to see Jesus’ gospel transform everything?
Do you promise to be faithful and diligent in the exercise of all your duties as Christian men and elders in this church, as an individual and in community, privately and publicly; and to strive, by the grace of God, to put on Christ while putting off sin in your life and to walk above reproach before God’s church and a watching world?
Do you now willingly take leadership in this church, in response to God’s call on your life and your own desire; do you promise to faithfully discharge the duties of a pastor in this community to the best of your ability, and even beyond, by the grace of God in your life?
Elder Installation (asked of the congregation)
Do you, the members of Sojourn, profess your readiness to receive these men, as they answer the call to be your pastors?
Do you promise to receive the word of truth from these men with submission and love, following them as they follow Christ, and receive their encouragement and admonishment as they shepherd you in your Christian faith?
Do you promise to encourage these men and joyfully take part in all their work as they lead this church?
Do you promise to support them, with acts of service and generosity, with your time and talents and with your finances as Scripture calls you to do so; to supply them in their needs for the sake of their work for the gospel on your behalf, on the behalf of your city and on behalf of the nations?
Congregational Care by Elders
The elders are essential to congregational care and oversight. This should be obvious, because elders, by definition, ought to be caring for the sheep and exercising oversight. Our elders do this in a few different way.
First, we pray for people. We pray when called up. We seek to pray for people when they need help. And we pray for our people at our elders meetings and retreats.
Second, our elders oversee our growth groups. Ben is the point man, but most of our elders–a couple elders are excused because they are involved in our executive committee–are responsible for overseeing a few growth groups each. This does not mean they lead a group in their home, though they can if they want. Oversight means two things. One, it means that the elders come to the every other month growth group leaders training session and meet with the leaders under their care. This is a time to trouble shoot, hear how things are going, and pray. Two, oversight means that the members of the leaders growth group (see previous point) are in the elder’s district (see below).
Third, we divide the church into elder districts. The district is first of all assigned by growth groups. So if Larry oversees two leaders, Moe and Curly, then Larry has all the members of Moe and Curly’s growth groups in his district (man is that a rough district). The elder district also includes members not in a growth group and regular adherents of the church who, for whatever reason, have not joined. These names, non-growth group members and adherents, are assigned alphabetically. The elder is responsible to pray regularly for his district, and he must make contact with each person in the district at least once a year.
We do not expect the elders to personally disciple the people in their districts or know everything going on in their lives. This is why we have growth groups. But the elder usually has a good feel for the major issues that have surfaced. Our elders meet twice a month. The second meeting of the month is our normal business meeting. At this meeting we always ask “who is in need of spiritual help and/or is not making faithful use of the means of grace?” Follow up calls are usually assigned based on the district someone is in. Three times a year we do a thorough review of our districts as an entire elder board.
In anticipation of being assessed as a church planter, I wonder how I will respond if my “grade” on the assessment indicates that church planting isn’t the most appropriate ministry for how God has made me. Maybe I’m better suited to pastor or replant an existing church. I don’t know, but I’m definitely praying about it. This post from Scott Thomas on the Acts 29 Network Blog provides helpful thoughts when Envisioning a Replant.
Envision what the worship gathering could be (Acts 2:42-47).
Attitude of body during worship
Music
Prayer
Teaching
Communion
Children
Exaltation of God
Incorporation of arts
Envision what the evangelism could be (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Who can you reach immediately?
What attitudes toward evangelism need to change?
Where or how could you boldly make an impact with the gospel?
What steps of faith need to be taken to reach the unchurched and the unsaved?
How could your youth evangelize?
How could households evangelize together?
What worldwide impact could you make as a body (i.e. foreign missions)?
How are you going to be an eternal value to your community?
Envision how education and discipleship could be effective (Acts 2:42).
How will it become a passionate pursuit of the body (“continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine,” Acts 2:42)?
What resources (people, qualities, gifts) do you have in place to launch greater disciple-making?
How will the fathers and heads of households (single moms, etc.) be trained to be the priest and spiritual head of their homes?
How will the older men and women teach and interact with the younger men and women? (Titus 2)
Will the age groups be segregated (children, youth, singles, college, married, etc.) or will they be integrated into the body?
What role will small groups play?
What training will be needed to help develop disciples who are passionately pursuing Christ?
Envision an Acts 2 commitment to fellowship (Acts 2:44-45).
In what ways will the body seek to meet the needs of one another (spiritual, social, financial, physical)?
What attitudes need to change to be sacrificially generous with time, money and resources for the encouragement and edification of the body?
How will the body serve one another actively and responsively in an unprompted way?
What will the membership requirements be? How will it communicate a covenantal commitment?
Envision an effective youth and children’s ministry.
Will they be integrated into the church ministry? If so, how?
How will families be strengthened through the student ministry?
How will the youth be encouraged and trained to evangelize their friends?
What role will the heads of households play in the student ministry?
Who (person or groups) will lead the youth and children’s ministry?
What facility changes are needed to communicate the value of children and youth?
What other positions of leadership need to be filled to be effective?
What leadership development with the students will be put into place?
What programs or customs need to be extracted from the youth and children’s ministry to avoid distractions from the ministry goals?
Envision an equipping staff (Eph. 4:11-13).
What changes need to be made with the staff (paid or volunteer) to meet the church’s goals?
Are the staff members doing the ministry or leading people to do the ministry? If they are doing the bulk of the ministering, how will they develop the body to do the work of the ministry?
Are you over-staffed or under-staffed to meet both financial obligations and the development of lay people (taking responsibility for ministry)?
Envision a body not reacting to finances to determine God’s call (Matt. 6:24).
How will faith in God calling a body to reach out to the community and world be weighed against financial responsibility and stewardship?
If mortgages or debts exist, how will they be paid off in a realistic way over a reasonable time period?
What attitudes or practices about money and finances need to be changed?
Is a budget in place? Is it a true reflection of the church’s giving and spending (balanced budget)?
What expenses can be cut immediately to be redirected toward the church’s mission?
Is the body (especially the leadership) making decisions based on finances or on God’s calling?
What creative ways can you generate more income without sacrificing resources, biblical principles, or expending paid personnel?
CITY GROUP LEADER – facilitates a community that is growing in Gospel, Community, and Mission.
MISSIONAL LEADER – We serve our neighborhoods together monthly. This leader takes the lead on all the details: the when, where, and how of the monthly service project.
PRAYER LEADER – This person records all the prayer requests and sends out a weekly update, reminding the community to pray for one another and the city.
HOST LEADER – This leader opens their home/apartment/dorm room to be an inviting place for the community to share meals, discuss life and truth, and to pray for one another and the city.
HOSPITALITY LEADER – We eat together. This leader coordinates the meal schedule and the “who is bringing what?”
This is an excellent model and one that is worthy of being copied by every church. Nate lists a few of the benefits
Fewer leaders will become casualties of burnout.
Five leaders gives your group more people, with more buy in, creating a stronger core.
New Christians can begin to serve right away. Last I checked, your theology doesn’t have to be nails to be in charge of the meal schedule. New Christians can become involved in leadership early on, and can grow along the way, instead of standing on the sidelines watching all the tired people lead.
Future City Group leaders emerge as they thrive in their roles leading MISSION and PRAYER, etc……
We avoid the “personality-driven” City Group. Gospel Community is center and forefront in our groups, rather than the talent, charisma, and drive of a leader.
Nate closes with the following line
More Leaders; Less Work. Share Leadership; Grow in Community. Strengthen Mission; Advance the Gospel.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s encouraging to see churches rethinking leadership as they seek to equip more believers and reach more people with the Gospel.
Lots of people can talk, not many are skilled at listening. If people are listening well, the following indicators will come much more naturally.
Do you find yourself easily distracted, thinking about other things, or pondering what you are going to say next?
SPIRITUAL INQUIRY
Put simply, this is following up, digging in, and inquiring into how people are doing spiritually.
Does the way that you respond to people draw them out and encourage deeper conversation?
ENCOURAGEMENT
If you see that someone handled a situation in a spiritually mature way, make note of that by encouraging him or her. If you see that someone is taking a step of faith in a new area of their life, encourage them with words of affirmation.
Do people feel encouraged by you during a Missional Community discussion?
PRAYER
One of the ways to model the Gospel to Christians and non-Christians is by revealing your dependence upon God and the unique relationship you have with God as your heavenly dad.
Do you stop in the middle of your MC discussion to pray for what is being shared?
CHALLENGE/REBUKE
Speaking truth in love while confronting others with a spirit of humility, calling them to turn from sin and trust in the finished work of Christ.
Is your Missional Community tolerating unrepentant sin?
STUDY SCRIPTURE
2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
Do you talk about the Bible naturally in the context of conversation?
GOSPELIZE
Helping each other apply the good news of Jesus and the work that was accomplished on the cross. The Gospel is for Christians and non-Christians alike and is a message that you will never outgrow or mature out of.
When someone asks for insight or counsel, do you respond with good advice or good news?
Great post from Jonathan McIntosh about the need for church leaders to take steps to be part of groups as an outsider to gain insight into barriers that may exist at your church. Julie and I have experienced this feeling a lot as we looked for a new church last year and our search has greatly influenced what I believe the local church is called to do and be.
When the people in our churches only become a nuisance to us, we’ve lost touch and lost compassion for those that we are called to love and shepherd.
We forget easily how daunting it can be for people to try and join a new group.
If you are new to church, frankly it can be scary:
to take the time and effort to attend a worship service with hundreds (or even thousands) of people you don’t know.
To email the leader of a church.
to try to join a small group.
to reach out for help.
to try to belong to something.
What can you do as a church leader who is naturally an insider, to regain the perspective of what it’s like to be an outsider?
Attend an event by yourself.
There are plenty of churches that have services on off-times (like Saturday and Sunday night) so that you could easily attend another church one weekend. If you simply can’t get away to another church, attend a mayor’s breakfast event or large civic function in your city. Go by yourself. Don’t tell people who you are. If you’re an extrovert, don’t talk to people – try to imagine the experience from an introvert’s perspective. What does it feel like to go somewhere new and not know the protocol, not know where to park, where to sit or even where the bathrooms are? How does it feel to be ignored while large groups of people talk amongst themselves? Try showing up late – how does it feel to walk in with all eyes on you?
Try to join a group.
I know, you’ve got so much free time on your hands. But trying to join a local group like the Rotary Club or the Chamber of Commerce will do more than put you in contact with other key leaders in your area – it will remind you just how daunting it is to try to join a group as an outsider. As pastors or ministry leaders, we are at the very center of our church social circles. When was the last time that you were actually an outsider, and felt the insecurity that comes with that? You’ll get better at crafting pathways for new people to connect when you know again what it’s like to try to belong somewhere as an outsider.
Email someone you admire.
This sounds weird, but pick someone you respect who is not likely to respond to you personally. Take some time and actually craft an email introducing yourself and thanking this person for their work or impact. If they reply to you, great. But if they don’t, it’s good for you to feel what it’s like not to get a response, or worse yet, to get a canned response to something you took time to write. Every time someone new to your church or organization takes time to write, call or email – it’s a big deal to them. Is it a big deal to you?
With everything on our plates, it is so easy for us to forget the big steps we often ask & expect people to take in attending church for maybe the first time in a long time, signing up for a new group, and trying to get answers to key questions from us or our staff. And ultimately we forget that the Ultimate Insider became the Ultimate Outsider – for us.
Moving from irritation to appreciation takes more than mere observation. It takes actually sitting in the seat of another.
Some small-group leaders unintentionally transfer authority from the Bible to group members by instructing them to look inward for meaning rather than investigating the text.
Poor question: What does verse 11 mean to you? Better question: How does verse 11 show God the Father’s sensitivity to the Son?
Long-winded questions
Questions get long when a group leader attempts to stuff several facts into a question so that group members will give the appropriate answer. But that kind of information is more easily assimilated by group members when it is put in the form of introductory statements.
Poor question: Looking at how the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness, what specific qualities and strategies of spiritual warfare does he demonstrate that could also be used against us? Better question: The tactics Satan used against Jesus will also be used against us. What strategies did Satan demonstrate in this episode?
Leading questions
Rather than inciting curiosity, these questions may insult the intelligence of your group members. A leading question sags under the weight of your own opinion or predetermined notion, and the way you ask such a question actually reveals the answer that you want to hear. They usually call for a yes or no response that kills conversation. “Don’t you think … ” or “Isn’t … ” are typical ways of beginning a leading question.
Poor question: Don’t you think the timing of Satan’s attack on Jesus was significant? Better question: This episode occurs immediately following Jesus’ baptism and right before the launch of his public ministry. What can we learn about our enemy from the timing of his attacks on Jesus?
Compound questions
Resist the impulse to fling back-to-back questions at your group without waiting for a reply to the first one. Either they will be confused about which question to answer first, or they will forget the first question by the time you finish the second. One question at a time!
Poor question: What did Jesus experience right before the first temptation, and what does this timing tell us about Satan? Better question: What did Jesus experience right before the first temptation? [Pause for replies.] What does the timing of this first temptation tell us about Satan?
Compulsory personal questions
We want small-group participants to reinforce biblical truths with anecdotes from their lives. We want them to reveal needs exposed by God’s Word so the group can pray specifically for them. Yes, transparency is a vital sign of small-group health. But it’s a bad idea to drop a question that requires transparency in the lap of an unsuspecting person.
Poor question: Marge, you’ve been a Christian for a few years. Can you tell us how you’ve experienced Satan’s warfare against you? Better question: Can anyone illustrate the persistence of Satan’s attacks from your walk as a Christian?
