I think that the key point in seeing solid house churches/missional communities lies in the willingness of the people to do what needs to be done. I know there is this debate about being or doing, but I believe they are both valid. We cannot pit two good things against each other. If people want to create communities that truly love one another it only makes sense that we will be available to each other.....that we will take time and be with each other. It really has to go beyond our meeting together. A re-ordering of our lives is needed. The same thing needs to be said about missional communities. What are we willing to do???? If all we are willing to do is talk about it, then it will be on that level we live. To create an alternative community that is missional will most definitely take a re-ordering of our lives.
Growth is something we all desire even if we say we don't want it (for quality's sake). We all start out this journey by convincing ourselves that what we are doing will grow. (numerically). There are so many people out there, we say, who are not going to church and who are struggling. But after being together for one year maybe two, we find that nobody is seeking us out. Those people who are struggling with church aren't beating our doors down. So we play the waiting game hoping that one Sunday three or four couples will knock on our door and want to journey with us. Though you may have a story like that, it is quite abnormal for that to happen. Then we convince ourselves that growth is not important. Numbers are the institutional church's game not ours. We are building quality. Five years later our numbers have decreased and we are convinced we are on the right path.
Well I'm going to say it, "I desire growth in our little fellowship." I want more and more people to become interested in the journey we have embarked on. I get discouraged when month after month goes by and no new person comes through the door. But I am also realizing that will not happen unless we are willing to live a life that is dedicated to mission. And that will take a re-ordering of our lives. It will be organic but also intentional, it will involve little in the way of programs but we certainly need training, we live in the everyday but need a huge vision, we need the Holy Spirit but we need also to rise up to walk in faith........ We need communities that are attractive and inviting but also leading to maturity.... to counting the cost of being a disciple. "let the foundation of our mission be community and let the foundation of our communities be none other the Jesus" What are we willing to do?
So...... my next blog will be about ideas and dreams.
