Comments on: How Community Transforms by Mike Pratt, Men’s Groups Pastor

By: Mike Pratt

Mike Pratt — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:16:02 +0000

Hi Roger!

I appreciate your comments and I understand where you’re coming from. I am convinced that we, as Christ followers, very often are intimidated about sharing the Gospel with another person because we’re not sure how to get the conversation started. I struggled with this a great deal myself. However, now when I introduce myself to someone as Pastor Mike, it is natural for me to talk about spiritual things because people just “expect” it from me. Before I became a pastor however, I accomplished the same thing by getting my status out in the open at the beginning of any conversation.

For example, when I was introduced to someone for the fist time, because it gets more difficult as the conversation goes on, I made it a point to make it known that I was a follower of Christ right off the bat. As I shook the person’s hand I would say something like this, “God bless you Roger, it’s good to meet you!” This way the cat is out of the bag and very often a comment like that will spark a conversation in which I can share Jesus.

Bottom line, we need to settle who we are in Christ and remember the commandment that Jesus himself gave us in Matthew 16:15; “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

By: Ted

Ted — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:13:02 +0000

I agree with Mike’s comments, and at the same time I think we as leaders have to demonstrate a level of leadership and maturity whereby we can work with people who don’t fit as easily. Sometimes we have to allow people to belong because it’s best for them and for the rest of the group to learn how to be a community of different people. The primary function of a small group is healthy community, so PEOPLE are always going to be the issue. If someone becomes divisive or destructive to the cohesiveness of the group, then they may find a better fit elsewhere.

By: Mike Pratt

Mike Pratt — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:56:20 +0000

Ivy: You have touched on a subject that many group leaders in the past have dealt with, “Should I say ‘no’ to someone who doesn’t seem to line up with the mission or vision of my group?” As the leader of your particular group, you have the latitude to do just that, say “no” if that’s what you think you should do. It is important that you take into consideration the spiritual health of the people in your group and how the dynamics of the group will be affected with the addition of someone who may not line up with the vision.

Perhaps the person you’re having to say no to would better be served in another group or perhaps he or she needs to speak with a pastor about the concerns you have. You’re always welcome to point people to one of us pastors so that we can help folks with the questions they may have.

I hope this answers your questions and I appreciate your input!

Pastor Mike

By: Roger Foust

Roger Foust — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:44:23 +0000

And you thought I never read your Blogs.

Pastor Mike, thank you for reminding us of the our first priority as Christians and members of New Life Church.

You made mention of the scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:11 and, for me especially, one of the child-like attitudes is the fear of reaching out to the unsaved. However, I know that when we focus on a priority, get committed to it, then we will overcome our fears and accomplish the task assigned. You’ve made me reevaluate how I can apply any of your four points to the small groups I am part of. Integrating one or more of these four ideas into our small group focus has now become a major desire and concentrated effort.

Thanks again.

By: Ivy Liu-Hawkins

Ivy Liu-Hawkins — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:06:52 +0000

So I am in the process of forming a small group for Singles that has the following mission statement: “Through book studies and discussion groups, we will learn from our past mistakes and triumphs, acknowledge and own responsibility for our actions/decisions, and seek new ways of serving one another in relationships by focusing on God.” This will be different from most other Singles Group in that it emphasizes more on personal growth and less on socializing/hooking up- not that we are unsociable or unfriendly! :>) Anyway, I have been approached for membership in one case by a fellow who also belongs to a Gothic Group (you know, black trench coat, black hair, black shoes, black make up, etc.) Would I be wrong to say “no” to him? Secondly, how should I deal with individuals who have expressed more interest in “meeting” people than accomplishing the mission of our group? I certainly do not want to make our group be like a “Members Only” country club, but on the other hand, if our group gets “diluted” with socializers, than we would just be like any other Singles meet up group. Thanks for your input. Ivy

By: Mike Pratt

Mike Pratt — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:37:20 +0000

Great point David! Transparency, on the part of leaders, is imperative it that same leader expects the members of his or her group to be transparent. Pastor Brady has demonstrated this concept over the last couple sermons.

By: David Barrett

David Barrett — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:45:56 +0000

Another way Small Groups come across as exclusive, “members-only,” is when we pray only for “safe” things, such as for a sick relative, a job, or for a lower mortgage rate.

When we restrict our prayers to the “safe,” we give the impression that we are all SPIRITUAL GIANTS, folks that have “rock-solid” relationships with the Lord, who don’t struggle with our faith, who never feel like giving up, who never stuggle with unforgiveness and lust, etc. THIS IS NOT REALITY, expecially for this Small Group Leader.

Let’s be willing to be vulnerable, to be totally honest with each other. We should all adopt this rule: NEVER TRY TO APPEAR MORE SPIRITUAL THAN WE REALLY ARE!