Have we become obsessed with the wrong things?

"Encourage one another and build each other up." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

At some point in time, most church leaders (including myself) have mistakenly believed that the more people coming into our church buildings must be a sign of "success." Of course, there is a genuine story as to what this may imply for your community, however it is not the entire truth. 

A lot of times, our bigger gatherings lack the opportunities for authentic connection and discipleship.  How do we encourage each other and build each other up, if we hardly engage with anyone else during the worship services? Even if I am part of a small group, is there opportunity to love each other, to really walk with another Christ-follower, and to get to the heart of our unique struggles in faith? Sometimes, but not always!

Jesus modelled for us that true discipleship starts with 2 or 3. If our meeting together is to encounter Christ and to worship him, then we should always remember that God is present even in the smallest groups.

"For wherever two or three are assembled in my name, I am there with them.” - Matthew 18: 20

What do you feel about this? Any thoughts?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

T.H.I.N.K about these things

T.H.I.N.K

Alan Redpath, a well-known preacher, belonged to a fellowship group a few years ago where they adopted a simple formula relating to their speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial. This is how their formula went, and it used the acronym "T.H.I.N.K." as it's focal word.

T - Is it true? Is the information I am passing on definitely True?
H - Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N - Is it necessary?
K - Is it kind?

Their small group agreed that if what they were about to say did not pass those tests, they would keep their mouths shut! And it worked! 

1 Peter 3:10 - For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Sharing the load

I was reminded again this morning of the importance of community. We meet at McCafe every Tuesday morning at 6am for coffee and a devotion. The group of guys that meet together range in ages, work experience, family situations, years of faith and so on. The one thing that we all have in common is a deep desire to be real in our Christian lives. We seek to be accountable to God and to each other. We don't want our faith just to be a "one hour Sunday thing", but rather to be an integral part of our existence. We are all far from perfect, but we know that we don't have to be perfect for God to love us.


The gift of meeting with other believers is that we get to share the load together. If I am feeling weak this week, I know that I can lean on my 'brothers in Christ'. If one of my friends is struggling this week, I allow them to lean on me - it is all about community and grace.

Who do you share your Christian experience with? Are you part of a small group or do you have spiritual friends who keep you on the right track? If you find that you are going it alone at the moment, I urge you to find a group to join. Community moves us out of our comfort zones into a place of deeper growth and accountability.

Philippians 2:1-3 - "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

 "God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing." -Billy Graham


Living in Grace
D3LM3