Dear First Pres,
This Sunday night represents an important next step for our congregation. It will be the second Sunday of the month, and my hope is that you will start thinking of the second Sunday of the month as Community Group Sunday. I know we've already sent you an email about the details of Sunday night (meeting from 5-7 p.m. at various locations), but I wanted to remind you why we're embarking into this new territory of Community Groups.
The purpose of our Community Groups is to build relationships, make new disciples, and live out the Gospel in our neighborhoods. Think of the Community Groups like ministry teams strategically scattered throughout the city. Every good ministry team enjoys spiritual relationship with each other. They encourage each other, have fun together, live life together, and pray for each other. But they never exist only for themselves. They work toward a common purpose that is outside of themselves. Of course, by God's grace, as ministry teams work together in a healthy way toward a common purpose, the people in those ministry teams grow in Christian maturity. That's why I believe so strongly that one of the best ways to grow in faith is in ministry to others.
So, are Community Groups for the members of FPC or our friends and neighbors who don't go to church? Yes; it's both. That's why I included making new disciples in my description above. Is the main thing of Community Groups getting more connected as a church or serving the needs of our city? Yes; it's both. That's why the purpose of Community Groups includes building relationships and living out the Gospel in our neighborhoods.
Our Community Group gatherings this summer were primarily about building relational connection within the groups. This next phase, as groups are meeting around the city, will be about learning to become Gospel ministry teams. Of course, becoming a healthy ministry team that is producing spiritual fruit usually doesn't happen overnight. I encourage you, therefore, to have patience with one another as we move into this new territory.
Every time I start to consider the potential of what God might do in us and through us in our Community Groups, I get fired up (in a good way). I imagine leveraging the incredible hospitality of FPC Fresno for the advancement of the Gospel in our neighborhoods. I imagine leadership development that is intergenerational and engaging people's God-given gifts and skills for the Kingdom. I imagine a bunch of people coming to faith in Christ through your community witness. I imagine instant networks of care when families are in times of need. I imagine individuals and families and parts of the city being transformed by the redeeming grace of Jesus. All of that, and more, could happen in and through your Community Group.
So, church, may we be strong and courageous as we move into this new territory, for the promise of God's presence given to Joshua is true for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus said to the disciples, "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Blessings,
P.S. This Sunday morning, during the Education Hour, I'll be launching the Membership Class The Hub. If you aren't yet a member of our church I invite you to come and explore what membership means at FPC and why it matters. There is no obligation to take that spiritual step of membership. However, if you'd like to become a member, this class is required.
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