Community in the making...

Without a doubt one of most difficult processes (if not the most difficult) for a church is embracing their need for real, genuine, authentic, biblical Christian community. This kind of authentic Christian community stems from vital connection between disciples. We're making that leap at Haven. We're coming to grips with the fact that we desperately need connection because we desperately need community. "It ain't gonna be easy but we're gonna get there."

Community is forming already at Haven. A few groups experimented over the past year and they experienced the reality of vital connection that produces authentic Christian community. The most exciting of these groups for me right now is the one we are calling "1830." 1830 is a brand new group made up of singles between the ages of 18 & 30. Get it...1830. Pretty clever isn't it? Unfortunately I can't take the credit for the name. I actually stole it from Brook Hollow Baptist Church in Desoto, TX. It's okay though. They know me at BH and they're okay with the theft.

1830 is only about 2 weeks old. Meaning, they have only met a couple of times. They formed in my living room about 3 weeks back. We encouraged them to commit to connection and we partnered with them to see it through. Of course they are going to enjoy their own set of problems and set backs; every group will. The "new" will wear off and each member will be challenged with whether to make their group time a priority or not. That is to be expected. The exciting thing is this - they're making a go at it! They are being intentional about getting to know each member of their group. They're praying together. They're conversing about the sermon topic from the previous week by means of provided discussion questions designed to lead them to deeper levels of application and response. They're hanging out and before long I believe they will recognize their need for each other. Hopefully they'll start leaning on each other and encouraging each other and challenging each other in their Christian walk. That's what a body in community does.

Is it possible that the 1830 group will fail? Of course it's possible but it doesn't have to be likely. In fact, I believe that if 1830 or any other group is constantly encouraged by other members of the body also engaged in connection, then they will soar to the height of everything that God designed the body to be. At least that's what I believe. I think the NT has some things to say to back me up on that.

There is only about 5 weeks before we will ask everyone at Haven to commit to a Fall connection group (Life Group). The groups will run from the last week of August until the week before Thanksgiving (12 weeks). Everyone will have an opportunity to begin a new chapter in their journey towards becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that we all will catch a little bit of the excitement that is beginning to build in the 1830 group and choose to intentionally connect. God is already beginning to build real community at Haven. Decide right now that you are not going to miss out. You'll be glad you did.