Kim and I met with our life group for the last time tonight. It was god, but sad. We’ve grown to be especially fond of those folks. Many of them served with us in student ministry over the past years, and they will always hold a special place in our hearts. Others joined the group during the course of the last few years, and have become close friends. I was going to insert a Boyz to Men reference here, or maybe even a little Michael W. Smith…I’ll just let you imagine.
Our group met in our home for most of it’s existence, but with the addition of Annabelle, we moved the group to a new home, right next door to our house. We weren’t sure how Annabelle was going to adjust, and wanted to give her some space and establish some routines for her (mealtime, bedtime, etc.) It turns out that she has adjusted better than we could have imagined. That could be a product of our choices, the grace of God, a testimony to her rapid assimilation, or some delicate combo of all this and more.
The exciting thing is that we’ve prepared several of the people in our life group to lead groups of their own. 2 of the couples in our old group will be starting groups this summer, and there’s the possibility of 2 more groups forming in the fall. Any way you slice it, that’s a win!
One of the benefits of the multi-site approach to church is the need/opportunity for emerging leaders to find themselves in positions to use their gifts and experiences. Kim and I have grown to love the folks we’ve been meeting with. Now that the time has come to move into the next chapter of life group, we’re thrilled to see them stepping into leadership roles, carrying the Calvary DNA and mission of Jesus into the own groups.
That’s good stuff there!
1 Comment
Eric S. · June 12, 2010 at 8:36 am
Our first life group at our churc was wonderful: a diverse group with respect to age, family status, education level, and much more. Over the five years of its existence, we developed very close relationships. There was much sadness shutting it down even though we were convinced this was God’s will
Two years later, my wife and I see how the people in our new group are tailor made for the changing circumstances of our current stage in life. Maybe that’s why they call it a “life group.”
It appears to me that the dynamics of of creation and termination of Earthly relationships is part of God’s design. It certainly keeps my focus upon Him as I reflect upon His hand in the relationships as well as a dependence upon Him for the creation of more relationships.