Over lunch, at the recent House Church Conference, I found myself asking a couple of “more experienced” brothers if they could look at where we were at as a house church network, point out areas to work on, and make any suggestions.
They were, kindly, very affirming at the progress we had made. Sometimes it seems that we are moving in slow motion because you are dealing with the growth of relationships, community, and hearts–all of which takes time.
I realize that there is, in time, an exponential type growth that can take place, like yeast multiplying through leaven, but if something grows organically it starts slow and begins with just tiny glimmers of progress.
I like what Alan Creech writes about this:
Lay your time tables down. This crap takes a looong time. When I first started Vine & Branches I had a much quicker time frame for the growth of new “branches.” Uhhh, that didn’t happen. Here’s the question I had to ask – is that because I wasn’t “working” it properly? I asked it, tried this and that, etc. – nope. Oh, you mean “it wasn’t God.” No, it was Him – still is. It’s — just — taking — a — long — time. It’s about the long-haul commitment of a community to life together on a journey – and as they go along, being transformed, living their normal lives in the world, they infect others with the Life that is in them, and eventually they start walking the journey as well. Yes there are degrees of intentionality in this thing. But I have found that you can’t count on “goals” and time tables about when and how your church will “grow.” These are false notions of growth and should not be the goal of a faith community. Long, slow, transformational growth and natural, “walk with me as I walk the journey” evangelism – that’s where we’re at.
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3 responses to “It Takes Time”
Sometimes I wonder about that too. There are those like Alan who really empasizes community and don’t like talk about “go into the world” and then there are people like John White who seem to want to push “go into the world” with trying to get a million house churches in 10 years. I’m torn on this one myself. There are some who believe in strategy and some who don’t… and some who believe in “vision” and some who say “just trust the Lord” Its a fine line we walk on. I feel myself pulled in both directions. If Jesus says “go into the world” is it right just to do community with our 5 people for the next 20 years. But if we are gunning for a million house churches over the next 10 years… well community and relationships (on a deeper level) probably will not happen…. Sincerely Mr. Divided
What you write, Mr. Divided, does resonate with me as well. I truly appreciate the sense of being torn in two directions on this!
I may be way off base. But remember the 5 fold ministry. Here you have it. (John White) apostle, and Alan more of a pastor. We each have are own part in the body of Christ. Just do what you feel God is leading you to do.