I told a group of church leaders last Friday that we don't expect all of our guests to be in a group. We do expect all of our guests to be in a relationship. All of the steps we offer lead to further relationship with God or people.
A couple different churches bravely asked me one-on-one: "Isn't it just easier to not expect everyone to be in a group because it's so hard to make happen? Is your approach a copout?" It's a fair question, and I love candid talk. Here are the reasons why I believe our approach is helpful.
1) It's realistic. Church leaders have been known to dream, "If we build just the right group structure, they will come - 100% of them will come!" Waking up brings us to reality, the same reality that God faces.
People turn their back on God. He accepts the reality and provides a path for those who choose to follow. We focus our energy on creating great group environments for those who choose it.
2) It's simple, but it's not easy. If we have to work and work and work to get everyone to come to our groups, and we never really find a solution, we're missing something.
I really believe God is good. I don't believe we're given an opportunity to serve God only to live inside the hell of personal frustration as ministry leaders! If I'm going to bring my best problem-solving skills to the challenges we face in the church, then I need to get my own emotional junk out of the way. When we don't try to get everyone in a group, we are freed from the emotional junk.
In a state of peace, we hear and see the direction God is leading. We follow. Obedience isn't easy.
3) It's loving. When we try to push people one direction when they are trying to communicate that they aren't interested, we're not listening well. People generally take steps toward where they find acceptance.
Tim Stevens brilliantly wrote that people just aren't that into church. He did not say that we should all quit and go home. We can pour energy to get people to do something they won't all do, or we can pour energy into creating the best environments possible for those who choose to take a step.
Meeting people where they're at is what Jesus does for us. Acceptance. Love one another. It's what we're trying to do in GCC Groups.
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