Small Groups Conference 2008
A PCJ Domestic Mission Conference

• Session One – John Lin
• Session Two – John Lin
• Session Three – John Lin
• Session Four – John Lin
• Session Five – John Lin

GOSPEL IN BUILDING COMMUNITY

What are some of the barriers for developing richer community? In some ways, many of the questions about groups is a matter of church structure and programs – lots of practical details on how to make it work, challenges to being faithful in caring for people, building community, etc. But what are some of the deeper barriers to building deep and sustaining community?

Galatians 2:11-14. Passage about how Paul confronted Peter. Peter was a Jewish Christian, who had been eating with the Gentiles – in general, in the Bible, eating represented friendship – community – more than just eating in the same area, but they actually celebrated a relational connection, friendship, family through eating together (for instance, David and Mephibosheth who ate together or heaven as described as a banquet). In community with Gentiles, even though he was a Jew. Eventually, what happens is that when Jewish Christian party was around, would separate himself from Gentiles. Ordinarily, might say that he was racist – or that he disliked the Gentiles or was trying to exclude them. Paul says it is something deeper – calls it hypocrisy. V, 14, says that conduct not in step or line with the truth of the gospel. Peter was a Jew but acted like a Gentile, but then asked Gentiles to act like Jews.

In other words, what kept Peter from having deeper community with Gentiles, not just that he despised them or didn’t like them or that he had committed a sin like racism. Reason was that the reality of the gospel had not changed every part of his life – the reality of God’s grace hadn’t changed his life. Very interesting. There is a lifestyle – a certain way of living that comes as a result of really understanding God’s grace – that our faith not that we believe and rely on God’s grace and then later on we do good works – Christianity is that we believe in God’s grace and its believing in God’s grace, that’s what causes us, moment by moment, to do good works (it’s easy to remember this when you come to faith, but not necessarily as you grow in faith). In other words, issue was never just surface sin or his external behavior – issue wasn’t even that he had lingering hatred or dislike towards Gentiles – issue was that he didn’t fully understand God’s grace – that’s what kept him from being close to Gentiles. Peter gloried in something other than the cross – in this case, his public appearance.

Gospel is basically that though we were sinners, Christ died for us – that we now have His perfect approval, in spite of our sin and in spite of all of our good works. This causes deep sense of personal freedom – deep sense of release and comfort with ourselves. All our lives we’ve wanted approval – that we’ve wanted people to think well of us or that we’ve wanted to think well of ourselves. Yet Christ’s approval is what matters. Entire lives we’ve sought recognition, but Christ gave up his approval to give us an approval that we could never earn, and he ate with us. On one hand, because gospel reminds us that we are sinners, it makes us very humble – makes us into servants. On other hand, because gospel reminds us that Christ died for us, we can be bold – we can have courage – if we know that God fully approves of us and that his approval is all that matters, it can radically change our community lives.

How? Why did Paul not fellowship with the Gentiles when the Jews arrived? Wasn’t because he didn’t like Gentiles – after all, he was able to fellowship with them before the Jews arrived. It was because, he didn’t want the Jews to see him with Gentiles – afraid of public perception that he was with the wrong kind of people, or different people. Too concerned with what others thought to do what was right and build community. How is this contrary to the gospel?

Gospel tells us that God ultimately approves of us – his approval more important than the approval of man – and yet what Peter was doing was he was looking for the approval of the Jews. More concerned with what the Jews though of him, or more concerned with what he thought about himself, than he was concerned about God’s approval. If he cared about Jewish approval more than God’s approval, then he basically would do what he did –not eat with Gentiles. If, on other hand, cared more about God’s approval than Jewish approval, then it wouldn’t bother him or trouble him at all to eat with the Gentiles – because He has the most important approval from God. Think about how enslaving this can become – if you care about God’s approval more than man’s approval, then you know that you’ve already been approved and saved – if you care more about man’s approval and forget God’s approval, then you are always trying to do good things to make men approve of you more – always try to please them – a little bit like a very demanding parent – you can spend entire life working to make them happy, and when you love them in return, you never know if its because you really love them or because you’re listening to their demands.

The best part of the gospel is that we forget ourselves – we are no longer the center of everything or are always seeking control, approval, comfort, power, etc. Everyone becomes either a threat or an opportunity and yet the gospel allows us to laugh at ourselves and say, “What a miracle! This is unbelievable!”

In case of pastors, what is it that keeps us from doing something different – taking risks in ministry or trying to do something bold, like fellowship groups?

Often we become inflexible and closed because we care more about external appearance more than faithfulness – concerned with man’s approval – that congregation members won’t respect us, fear that we may fail or look bad before the congregation, keeps us from innovation and from new ideas. Other issues too – sometimes we are afraid of lack of control, concerned that now ministry has to go into hands of others. Feeling that things have always been done a certain way and cannot change – why is that? Is it really because of a biblical principle or is it because we’re afraid to change? At Redeemer, we’re always changing to be faithful to the vision – otherwise, we’ll have an idolatry of tradition and our own customs. We need to model community to others and this means the gospel has to change our pride and make us willing to fail. When understand gospel, will realize that often reason we don’t change is because we’re afraid of loss of control – but Christ has assured us that He is in control and that we are not qualified to be in control – loss of approval, but we have His approval – loss of comfort, but Christ provides us perfect comfort even if we have emotional discomfort. Major one is approval – many ministers go into ministry because they enjoy influence and the approval of people – problem, however, is that this sometimes means we’re afraid to fail. One key lesson people in congregation can learn is that faith means that we may fail – may look silly – but that’s how we grow in faith and wisdom – learning through our failures, allowing God to work through our failure. This is critical in creating community for everyone in our congregations – people have to feel comfortable opening up their lives to others – ministers need to model this – only way we can ever have true community is if we open up our lives to one another and this can be modeled if minister is willing to take some risks – willing to show imperfections – but in the end, this is just the gospel. Perfection is not a model we want to present – redeemed life is model we want to present. This is what true leadership is – every kind of leadership is service – a personal sacrifice for others.

Congregants need to understand that ministers are real people – that we take risks and sometimes make mistakes. I.e. preaching in NYC – very hard – yet what people need to see is not necessarily perfection, but redemption – a gospel changed life. Need this not only as we lead a community, but people need this to be a community in the first place! We need to remind people that we are sinners and therefore need to be humble and yet we are redeemed and therefore can be hopeful.

EVANGELISM AND CELL GROUPS

Several reasons why cell groups are beneficial for evangelism. Essentially adds new dimension to work of evangelism, namely the importance of evangelistic communities – that people become believers and mature as believers in more ways than just through a personal one-on-one conversation. Personal one-on-one evangelism is always important, but have to understand that not the only way, and in some contexts, not the exclusive way – in fact, sometimes a better way of evangelism is not one-on-one. Sometimes more natural than conventional personal gospel presentation, because cell groups automatically practice friendship evangelism.

Case study: Redeemer. Over years, many people have come to faith because of evangelistic gospel presentations by Tim – they heard the gospel presented by words, were able to ask questions, and responded in faith. That said, finding that many people – particularly in a highly skeptical place like NYC, where people had hostility towards faith – community provided different ways to evangelize or for people to “experience” the gospel. Over years, people have come to faith because a) saw that we were friendly to faith and work matters and saw that we were supportive of the city and culture and not hostile even if we were critical, b) because we served the city – people drawn to opportunities to care for others, but were also amazed to see a church that was counter-cultural in caring for the city and disadvantaged, where many churches did not, c) community – in New York, have lots of community where people gather to share common interests (golf, sports, dance, music, art, etc.), but at Redeemer, on regular basis, see people gathered to care for one another, support one another, meet each others needs, forgive, reconcile, etc. In other words, community itself (caring for needs, etc.) was evangelistic tool – people got a picture of the “model home” – the community that God created – the end-time city. Also, when people come to faith, they already know the community – otherwise, people are challenged to accept Jesus but then immediately enter into a community that they may not know yet.

Why small groups in context of evangelism?

Growing in Christ in an individual happens not through programs, but through a community. Much like any character formation. People learn from their friends, are influenced by their relationships. Social reinforcement. Evangelism typically aims to get people to make a decision to follow Christ – but in some ways, that’s mostly a verbal commitment – entire life commitment takes time to cultivate, grow, etc. People come to full faith through series of mini-decisions or events where they think about the gospel and it becomes more real. Not very common for someone to decide right away and fully dedicate themselves. Part of a journey. If person is hearing gospel in context of a community – new church or part of a group, they’ll grow – not just in discipleship maturity, but also in conversion.

New groups are best way to reach new people. Much more effective than longer-existing entities. Allows you to bring new people in – why? People can find a place to fit in. If people come to a church and can’t find people they relate to – can’t become friends with people like them, it will be very difficult for them to stay long-term. Groups can be tailored to specific groups in a way that the entire church can’t. So, for instance, if church is middle-aged, then best way to reach younger people is if you can find a couple of young people to start a group – then people will come for them and will feel comfortable, instead of waiting feeling awkward around middle-aged people. New groups are more focused on new people and allow for people to get involved in leadership and service right away in a way that existing groups are not – existing groups typically focus on making the existing people happy – new groups can not only reach diverse people, but can really focus attention and needs on them. I.e. Redeemer has groups for young people, old people, Asians, non-Asians, married, non-married, etc. Plus, in new groups, people get involved much faster. If have group of 35 people, people think others will help out. With group of fewer people, everyone realizes it is their responsibility to get connected – particularly with greeting newcomers, hosting, hospitality, etc. By same token, groups are the only way a pastor can really care for all his people as church grows – because each group takes on their own personality and eventually, those groups may a) care for each other, or b) have a specific need or concern that the pastor can deal with from a higher level. Not only do groups mobilize people to serve each other, it’s also how they grow, and evangelize and its really a good way for pastor to care for everyone – even if he doesn’t do it individually. Illustration of surface area – salt is much more effective in melting ice if it is broken into small pieces instead of one big block.

Groups are best way to renew the church. Feeling of mission every time a new group is formed. Brings in new ideas into the body every time a new group is formed. Can try different things. Also, creates new leaders – people now have a place for them to get involved.

Groups are best way to care for people and train people in ministry. Needs surface within the group. People learn (through training by ministers) to serve and lead. In small communities, you really see how the gospel “works” – testimonies and answered prayers are seen all the time. Very deep worship can also happen in groups – very personal.

Groups are critical for:
•    Evangelism in community – people see a community, not just a message. Otherwise, when people come to a church, they are often drawn more to whether they like the pastor instead of whether they like the community. With group, much more likely to find someone to connect to. Also, see a serving community, hospitable community – basically, they can see the body of Christ in a very close, intimate, powerful way. Instead of seeing a gathering of people, they really see a family.
•    Discipleship in community – character formation happens in community – think of children with their peers.
•    Leadership development in community – many areas of service. Needs are surfaced more easily. Many of our best elders and deacons were once part of the group system.
•    Hospitality in community
•    Real pastoral care in community – people care for one another

How do you start? Start with a couple people you trust – train them, take them on visitation, open up your life to them – tart with pastor and family, then grow from there – slowly multiply (which reinvigorates old groups). May take time.

DEFINITION OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Key theme is the Christian leader as a steward. In ancient times, steward was household manager of large estate. Had authority over estate but only within boundaries of will of the lord of the estate. Much more nuanced and sophisticated idea than just being a teacher or caregiver or counselor.

MODELS OF STEWARD LEADERSHIP
First model of steward leaders – Adam and Eve – they were given “rule” over all of creation. Gen 1:26,28. They were to cultivate the resources of nature under God’s direction – i.e. Genesis 2:16-17. God gave raw materials and even if God is the one who ultimately causes plants to grow, Adam and Eve were the ones who cultivated the land.

Second model – Joseph. See this role under Potiphar as house-manager – Genesis 39 and then under Pharaoh as Prime Minister of all Egypt – Genesis 41.

Third model – parables of Jesus – Jesus speaks of responsibility of steward as leader and servant – Luke 12:42ff. and Luke 16:1 talk about leader as steward. Other models where speaks about this model without the word “steward” – Matthew 21:33-46; 25:14ff. Commends people as good or wicked servants.

Fourth model – ministry-theology of Paul. His ministry as “stewardship” – 1 Corinthians 9:17. Elder/bishop – overseer – as steward (oikonomos) of God – Titus 1:7. What are we stewards of? A) God’s truth – 1 Cor 4:1 – “ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” and B) spiritual gifts – “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (grace in its various forms)” – 1 Peter 4:10.

Fifth (ultimate model) – Jesus. He is Lord and Servant of the Covenant – Lord who commands us and substitute who takes on yoke of covenant and fulfills it. Ultimate example of servant leader. He owns the land and yet He is also the one who serves and labors to bring fruit.

ESSENCE OF STEWARD LEADERSHIP
Steward is household-manager – servant inside a household-family who rules it for profit and benefit of lord of the manor – has authority to organize it, cannot organize it his own way (must be in accord with what the master wants), responsible to lord, primary call is to “cultivate” it – like a gardener, to take seeds and develop them into fruit. Similar to a financial manager.

Heart of biblical leadership is cultivation of resources. Genesis 1 – Adam and Eve given authority. Genesis 2 – tenant-farmers. Tenant farmers live on land, had authority over what happened – were accountable to the owner. Though they may enjoy the land, their goal was to bring profit. Adam and Eve were in Garden to “work it and care for it” (Gen 2:15). Goal not just to guard and maintain (“care for it”) but also to develop, enhance, multiply it (“work it”). Doesn’t merely protect it. Doesn’t use it for his advantage or neglect it. Must wisely cultivate it for sake of the lord of the land. See Matthew 21:33ff – leaders of Israel like tenant farmers of God’s vineyard.

Definition of leader – “one who has power and authority over set of resources”
Definition of leadership – “cultivation and development of resources”

SINS OF STEWARD LEADER
Paradox of stewardship – steward is a ruler and a servant. He is a ruler (authoritative leader in charge), but also a slave who worked for master – worked only for lord and owner of the house (Luke 12:44-45). Sins are either a) not a ruler or b) not a servant. Either way, you fail to cultivate and enrich resources.

Steward-leaders must not be weak. Need to be wiling to be assertive and use authority when needed. Matthew 25:14ff – parable of talents – maser puts three servants over property. One fails to invest – in other words, fails to “assert authority over it and make decisions or take responsibility over it.” Jesus calls him lazy. Should not be too timid to lead – must take faith and steps of faith.

Steward-leaders must not be oppressive. Must not become domineering or exploit resources of house – in other words, there to serve but because they are in authority, should be able to help people develop – that’s the act of service! Cultivation in individuals of their gifts and areas of service. Example in Luke 12:35ff – steward beats servants and begins to “eat and drink and get drunk.” Must not take advantage, but must really serve – this even includes using others to feed ego – make you feel affirmed as a leader.

Steward-leaders in redemptive history. Already and not yet – fact that Jesus has come and begun His work, but has not yet completed His work. On one hand, by virtue of his coming once, we have the Spirit, etc. – we have gifts of the Spirit – we have his Word and a vision for the future, but particularly, we have God’s grace to assist us in work of ministry – we have gifts that are powerful that we have to cultivate. On other hand, we are still servants – leadership gifts are only given by his grace – need to be dependent that God will do great things.

Of course, there are theological vision reasons for stewardship – but common sense also suggests that leaders get better results of they don’t hold the reins of authority too tightly or too loosely. Gospel deepens humility for service and confidence for rule at the same time.

CULTIVATION OF RESOURCES – EPHESIANS 4:1-16
Resources in the church primarily those of the Spirit – 1 Peter 4:10. “Each one should use whatever he has received to serve others, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Gifts of the Spirit – i.e. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 – show us unique gifts to build same body that needs to work together – like a real body – need parts to function, otherwise no functioning – need a heart to get blood to the arms, need arms to get food to mouth, need stomach to digest food, etc. Steward needs to a) recognize resources and gifts of members (i.e. spiritual gifts or interests/passions) – what the steward has as raw materials and b) make sure resources are being used by putting right people into right positions. Must use resources that Spirit has given to move us towards goals of kingdom – must consider both – vision without use of right resources will lead to frustration – focus on resources and structure without movement won’t help either.

Couple issues here – 1) steward is accountable to the Word of God, which dictates our vision – cannot be discarded – we must preach, baptize, celebrate Lord’s supper – BUT, we can also be flexible with human conventions (i.e. ministry models – FG or not, style of music, etc.) – must be open to changing anything that is not part of God’s Word. 2) Steward knows that he is employed as a matter of grace – that means we have the freedom to fail and therefore can make changes and be bold and daring in rethinking our churches. If never adapt, then you make church culture an idol. If always adapting and compromising, then new culture is an idol, instead of church vision being normative.

Consider Ephesians 4:1-11. Fundamentally about unity. V. 1-3 character of unity in the Spirit in bond of peace. 4-6 talks about one body and one Spirit – unity. V. 7 – we received gifts from Christ as grace – different ones. Note, “But.” V. 11 – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. V. 12 to equip saints for work of ministry – THIS IS KEY – not necessarily to do the work of ministry – their work is to equip. v. 13 – until we attain unity of faith and knowledge of Son of God and maturity. Vv. 15-16 – we grow up into the head, from whom whole body is joined and held together – each part working properly – body grows.

Consider family example. When you have children at some point, there are responsibilities that you teach them – helping with family chores, taking care of the family pet, cleaning their room, helping to clean the home or with cooking – of course, always more efficient and sometimes better for parents to do everything – they can do everything and can do it much better, faster, better results. That said, at some point, over time you let children take on increasing responsibilities – you could do those things yourself, but you let children do it primarily because you want to train them to be meaningful contributors and members of family – everyone works together to build the family, not just the dad or mom does everything – all the work of a family. If in family, parents did everything, children don’t ever grow up – even in adult life are irresponsible and poor contributors to family and society. But what you want to do is train children to participate so that as they grow, will become more meaningful parts of family and society around. Gentle and firm at the same time – this is good stewardship since children belong to God ultimately.

See this spreading of leadership responsibilities and gifting everywhere. Exodus 18:13-27 – Jethro – Moses’ father-in-law. Called everyone to share in ministry, not just for Moses to do all of ministry – but Moses would oversee it. Jesus’ model also the same – that the disciples were commissioned to share the gospel, to do healing and to serve – i.e. feeding of the multitudes – always disciples who did it – part of training for them. Jesus could have made everyone full or could have made bread fall from the sky – instead, sent disciples who were trained, mentored, etc. to go do it. Acts 2 – church met in temple and house to house – house community also a real extension of church life – community that extended throughout people’s personal and private lives. Acts 6 – creation of diaconate – essentially, work of apostles became too great so began to give different roles and responsibilities to others to do the work of ministry. Even the concept of having elders and deacons presupposes that church work requires variety of gifts and the contributions of everyone.

This is critical – not just that the pastor does all the ministry – or that the pastor cares for everyone – the pastor’s responsibility is to ensure that everyone is cared for, not necessarily that he cares for everyone – job is to build a community with resources that are being given and used and contributed, not just that a pastor builds a following of individuals who have direct relationship with him.

COMMUNITY – ONE ANOTHER PASSAGES
Work is to build community (work happens in community). Steward-leader is part of that community. Church as “household” (Gal 2:10) and “family” (Eph 2:19; 3:15). Must build a community where ministry can happen – Eph 4:15-16. Combination of relational and administrative tasks – must organize people. Key passages are “one another” passages. This happens in most meaningful way when we allow others to minister to one another instead of feeling need to minister to everyone ourselves – allow others to do it. Happens in most meaningful way when not a major program, but through deeper relationships – i.e. fellowship groups – where people share their needs, concerns, areas where they need assistance, talk about Scripture together, etc. The key is not to be concerned too much with the model, which can be flexible – the key is the principle and heart of community.

Affirming one another – being friends
•    Affirming strengths, abilities, gifts – Romans 12:10 – Honor (praise accomplishments) one another; James 5:9 – don’t grumble (don’t groan or roll eyes or disrespect) against one another. Romans 12:3-6 confirm gifts of one another
•    Affirming equal importance in Christ – Romans 15:7 Accept (welcome, appreciate, include) one another as Christ accepted you. 1 Cor 12:25 – Be equally anxious for one another (care for one another equally regardless of ability, status, etc.). 1 Peter 5:5 – gird with humility toward one another. James 2:1 – don’t show favoritism
•    Affirming through visible affection – Rom 16:16 – greet one another with holy kiss (visible affection). James 1:19 – listen more than you speak. 1 Thess 3:12 – abound exceedingly in love to one another
Sharing with one another – being family
•    Share needs and problems. Gal 6:2 – bear one another’s burdens (share difficulty and pain of); 1 Thess 5:11 encourage (come along side and strengthen) one another
•    Share space, goods, time. Rom 12:10 – show brotherly love (treat one another as family). 1 Thess 5:15 – do good (meet practical needs) of one another. 1 Pet 4:9 – offer hospitality (open homes, share food and goods to one another)
•    Share beliefs, thinking, spirituality – Rom 12:16 – become of same mind (work to consensus). Col 3:16 – teach Bible to one another. 1 Cor 11:33 – wait for each other to take sacrament together. Eph 5:19 – sing God’s praise to and with one another.
Serving one another – being servants
•    Serve one another through accountability. James 5:16 – confess sins and pray for one another. Rom 15:14 – admonish (confront) one another. Heb 3:13 – exhort each other daily about your sin. Eph 4:25 – tell the truth to one another.
•    Serve one another through forgiveness and reconciliation. Eph 4:2 – be humble, gentle, patient, put up with one another. Eph 4:32 – forgive one another as Christ forgave. Gal 5:26 – do not provoke or envy. Rom 14:19 – don’t condemn one another. James 4:11 – do not slander or attack one another. Matt 5:23ff, 18:15ff – re-establish broken relationships with one another
•    Serve one another’s interests rather than own. Rom 14:9 – edify one another. Heb 10:24 – consider how to stir one another to love and good works. Gal 5:13 – be servants (slaves) of one another. Rom 15:1-2 – don’t please yourself.

One of the central themes throughout the Bible is the fact that God is creating a people who belong to Him. See this in OT and NT.

Ex. Exodus 19, Israel called a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation.

Holy Nation = means a people who are distinct, set apart and unique in the world – it is a Nation or a collection of people unified together like other nations with a purpose, a mission, laws that govern, etc., and yet it is a people who are “holy” and unique or somehow unlike the world.

Kingdom of Priests = what’s critical here is that priests throughout the Old Testament, fundamentally called to serve – to care for the sick, care for the poor, to intervene for people in the world – in other words, what makes this community unique, unlike the rest of the world, is that it is fundamentally a servant community – in other words, if you look at the fundamental motivation that we all have as sinners, it is self-gratification, self-service – and yet, what makes a Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation that is distinct is that Christian communities motivated by self-sacrifice – giving ourselves to others – listening when others won’t listen, loving when others won’t love, praying when others won’t pray

NT – see this in 1 Peter 2:9-10 speaks about same concept – fulfillment of Holy Nation and Kingdom of Priests – reminds us of what we are called to be as a people – that we may “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” What’s critical is v. 10, which describes why – the foundation of our community – v. 10, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” In other words, being a people has nothing to do with us – anything that is common in us – i.e. ethnicity, class, occupation – everything to do with God making us a community/people. More importantly, we are a community because we have received mercy – everything we are as community founded on the mercy of God, which means we have nothing to boast in – nothing to celebrate about ourselves – everything we have is because God gave it to us graciously to form us into a community.

See that God is not just saving individuals – in fact, he is building new community where he is at the center – a new society with different values, yet still in the world – like aliens in a foreign land. Church is called to be this new community.

THE COMMUNAL NATURE OF GOD

One mystery of God is the fact that He is a unity and a community – on the one hand, we believe in one God – on other hand, we believe that this God exists as a community in himself – relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit – not just a God who exists as one unitary entity, but expresses himself as three personalities. Makes clear that community is intrinsic or inherent part of the universe and reality. Or, community not created but foundational to nature of the universe. If God were only one, there wouldn’t be community. If two, there would be love, but no family or community – but because triune, God exists as a community. Fundamental to universe.

Giving and receiving constantly within God Himself – in other words, interaction and love within the community. Matt 3:17 – God delights in the Son. John 8:29 – Jesus receives love and pleases the Father. Matt 12:31 – Jesus honors the Spirit. John 16:14 – Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son. Each part of Trinity loves, honors and glorifies the other and receives love and honor from the others.

Other way of thinking about this – because there are three persons, none of them are designed to live only for themselves. They are persons in social relationship. Think about names of the members of Trinity – can only be a Son if there is a Father, can only be a Father if there is a Son, Spirit is breath of one who speaks, so can only exist with someone else.

In God’s image, we are built for community and connection. Without living in community, our lives are compromised. Will always be unfulfilled.

THE COMMUNAL NATURE OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Genesis 2 – states that not good for man to be alone. Means that in some ways, God is not all that we need – we need a community also. Amazing because made humanity to need something in addition to Him – namely community.

Revelation 7 speaks about fact that people from every tribe, tongue, nation in heaven – why not a mass of individuals – or why not one nation? Because, every nation/tribe/tongue has slightly different experience of God – in order to fully understand God, must see Him worshipped and celebrated by different tribes, tongues, etc.

Israel – dealt with primarily as a community, not as separate individuals. Covenant and commandments directed to them as a people – calling as a nation, lived out as a nation, not individuals.

When someone in community sins, God deals with them not as individual, but as a corporate body. Example in book of Joshua – when Achan sinned and stole plunder from Jericho – entire family was executed. Entire nation suffered. In next battle, Israel was defeated. God could have dealt with Achan alone, but taught that actions of one affect all. God sees his people as deeply connected and responsible for one another.

In calling 12 apostles, clear that Jesus is reconstituting Israel. Church replaces Israel as community of God. Church is the new Israel – new community which he is forming.

Mark 10 – Jesus expects that people will rely on one another as members of a new family he has created. Now each others’ brothers, sisters, mothers, children. Possessions and capital (homes and fields) viewed as belonging to each other. Note that fathers don’t multiply, because God alone is the father – connected by one father.

Romans 12:1 – “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies (plural) as a living sacrifice (singular), holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship.” Church as corporate body is living sacrifice, not individual Christians. We are to offer selves to God as a community. Community has priority over individuality. 11 chapters of doctrine, then chapters talk about community.

1 Corinthians 12. Paul uses metaphor of a body – we belong to one another and need each other. We are baptized in one spirit, partakers of one spirit – connected. Cannot say, “ I don’t need you – we are affected by what is going on in one another’s lives – if one part suffers, every part suffers. Think about “member” concept.

In OT, tabernacle and temple are God’s dwelling or “house”. In NT, people of God are the dwelling of God. Individuals are “living stones” being built up into God’s “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). 1 Cor 3:9 says we are God’s building. We are together a building in which God dwells.

In NT, rarely are letters written to individuals but entire communities. 1 Cor 5 – issue in church about man sleeping with father’s wife. Dealt with entire community. We are to read passages and say, “what does this mean to us” not “what does this mean to me”? Should ask, what does this mean to me as member of this community?

THE PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY

God’s desire to be in community with humanity. God created us that we might enjoy life with him and one another – look at garden with Adam and Eve and then promise of a city – God dwells in the garden of Eden with humanity and in the city with new humanity. He delights in relationship with his people. Community is critical.

Christian community exists to provide support and encouragement so we can live God pleasing lives. Cannot live up to God’s standards on our own. Need each other. We can remind each other, confess to one another, encourage one another, call on each other, care for one another. Think about all the one another statements in Paul. We can remind each other of what God has done.

Christian community is to be “city on a hill.” Idea is that city is to shine to others – to show forth a true community of God – lifestyle and character draws people to God. Church takes place of Israel that existed as light to nations – community through which world is blessed. Church exists to make character and ways of God known. This is Jesus says we will be known by how we love one another – not necessarily personal holiness, or our own Bible memorization or personal disciplines, but by community – community is where we really see our faith lived out. We are to be compelling example of kingdom, which attracts people of world to God – avoid being conformed to world for sake of the world. Like a “model home.” Particularly areas like hospitality, care for the poor, care for the sick – very natural for us to care for people who are like us, in our immediate family – true hospitality, however, not towards people who are naturally like us, who affirm who we are, but for people who are not like us.

Spiritual maturity always has to happen in context of a community. Based on health of relationships as much as it is on personal devotion and piety. Think about all areas of obedience that require community.

COMMUNITY THAT EMBODIES THE GOSPEL. In other words, church is the body of Christ – we represent Christ to the world as a community together.

Worshipping community. We are defined by what God has done in Christ for us – therefore, we are people who are grateful to God and who are amazed at his love. Therefore, we worship God with our praise.

Accepting community. Gospel is that we have been accepted at our worst – when we were not worthy and God did not ask anything in return. We are to extend similar acceptance to one another without demanding they change before we offer it. We are not to frown upon or be surprised by another’s sin or weakness. We extend grace not judgment.

Holy community. We are destined to b e like Jesus and that God has begun that process. We urge one another to live lives that are pleasing to God – in accordance with fact that we are sons and daughters of God. As we grow, we begin to resemble in character what we already are in status.

Truth-telling community. Gospel allows us to truly care for people. Real love requires that we not leave people to their sin – that we get involved with lives of others by being gentle but telling honest truth that allows others to change. Probably very hard for Asians, but at same time, important way for us to help people to grow. Not harsh because we know our own weakness. Not cowardly because we know our acceptance in Christ. We can also hear from others, because we know we are accepted in Christ.

Upbuilding and encouraging community. Work of Christ in church is building up. Acts 20:32 (God is the one who can build you up) or Eph 2:21 (whole building is joined together and rises to be a holy temple in the Lord). Church grows by uniting people in the Spirit. Main work of living stones is building up – 1 Thess 5:11 (therefore encourage one another and build each other up), Eph 4:15-16, “speaking truth in love…whole body grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.” Because of acceptance we have, we don’t have to look down on others to feel good about ourselves – we can encourage others and work for their success.

Sacrificially generous and giving community. 2 Cor 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord JC, that though he was rich…” We are to spend and give ourselves for others. Early Christians known for their generosity towards anyone in need – not just people like them – Acts 2:44-45 – “Selling possessions andgoods. – or Acts 4:32-35.

Suffering community. Jesus loved while we were enemies. He didn’t retalitate but bore the pain of persecution. Suffered so that we might become friends. We are to avoid retaliation. Love to point of suffering if necessary.

IMPLICATIONS TO CALL TO COMMUNITY

Significant regular face to face relationships. Required effort. Cannot happen in large service. Cannot assume that by gathering together, we are actually growing together. Need place where we can share our lives together – where we can practice “one anothering”. This is part of credibility of our Christian witness – the degree to which we can show people our love for one another – also, this is the way that people can see an “alternative community” – not just personal evangelism, but immersion and experience of a grace filled community. Requires face-to-face groups and interaction. Not just social, but know lives of one another. Like Bible’s house churches – 1 Cor 16:19; Romans 16:5 – “the church that meets in their house” – not necessarily meaning all churches should be house churches, but this captures spirit of smaller intimate community – like a family (can tell story of my experience in Kyoko’s family – gradually growing closer only through sustained time together). Acts 2:24ff and Acts 20:20 talks about how Christians met in homes as well as temple courts.

Each person must see himself or herself as a minister. Ministers must allow church to operate under every member ministry – not take all responsibilities of care for people on themselves, but need to help others to care for one another – think about Jethro principle. Many churches think pastoral staff will build up believers – Bible says belivers build up one another. Absolutely critical. Many churches expect pastor to attract and wine new people, but Bible says t hat the body does this – entire body grows member to member speaking in love, building up, equipping each other. 1 Cor 14 – each has a psalm, a teaching…let all things be done for building up. Everyone ministered. Everyone participated. Too often we ask “what am I getting out of church”, but we should ask “what am I giving”. Critical for pastors to allow member ministry. Example of Jesus who could have fed the multitudes Himself and yet asked the disciples to do it so they would understand what it meant to minister to people and serve people. Will transform our ministries if we allow this. Real life change.

We must work hard at developing community. Takes time and effort. We are very comfortable with a certain kind of community – tight, reserved families – need to move beyond that. Caring for the disadvantaged – for people who are not like us – people in need (widows, poor, handicapped, mentally ill, etc.). This is what we were created for – we will never be what God wants us to be unless we work to be God’s new society.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO FELLOWSHIP GROUP CHURCH
•    Require no money for space – do not need a large church building.
•    Relate people who are geographically separate – i.e. covers more space.
•    Helps congregation become more heterogeneous, since there may be a group of people like them. I.e different neighborhoods in NYC
•    Church’s growth not limited by size of building – key is raising lots of leaders
•    Make it possible for church to operate with smaller staff and really expand ministry – plus, a very important easy entry point for non-believers – not just come to church to listen to the speaker, but come to into my home and experience hospitality
•    Younger demographic may really desire this kind of smaller community.

Session 1

REDEEMER VISION AND MISSION
Our vision. To be a church that ignites a gospel movement that serves, renews and changes New York City spiritually, socially, culturally, and through New York, the world.

Our vision for New York. Vision is not just for our church, but for the entire city. Early on we spent time thinking about what the city would become because of our presence and influence in it. We didn’t just imagine the kind of church we should be, but what New York could be and how Redeemer can help it to get there. This is a broader vision than just our own church, but for our outward face towards the entire city. We wanted a city that was:
• More family friendly city, where families live long-term and raise their children. New York is expensive, has poor education and people don’t really want to “invest” in the city.
• Fewer poor neighborhoods because wealth would be redistributed through giving and community development. Very severe wealth gap.
• Would have a public culture where talking about faith is allowable and encouraged. We wanted civility to extend to all – not just to Christians, but towards people who might not even believe what we believe. We wanted there to be a forum for people to speak safely about what they believe in.
• Would see decrease in crime. We wanted people to care about the city more.
• Would see better relationships between racial and cultural groups in the city

What it would take.
A significant Christian community in New York. Very small Christian population in New York (less than 1%). If percentage could rise to 10%, would begin to change New York. We want this to happen through evangelism and Christian people willing to come to the city.
Movement of gospel-centered, city-positive, missional churches – large network of churches that would want to work together for the benefit of the city. Not just more Christians, but more churches.

Foundations.
• Centrality of the Gospel – God’s grace. Traditional religion says that if I obey and do good works, I’ll be saved and blessed. It motivates primarily by fear and pride – in other words, obey otherwise God will punish you (fear) or obey, because you don’t want to be like a non-Christian or a pagan (pride). Traditional religion means there will always be exclusion – we can’t be with pagans, because they will hurt us or are not holy or will lead us to compromise. Gospel motivates through thankfulness and gratefulness – “I am saved and received by God and therefore I’ll live rightly.” Example of an encore – after the performance and you receive the applause, you sing because it is a joy, not because you’re going to be evaluated on it – it’s still the same singing, but the fear is gone. Gospel creates humility and confidence at the same time – on the one hand, you are a sinner (causes humility) but on the other hand, you are saved because of Jesus Christ (causes confidence). This is key to individual transformation and social flourishing. Another example: like dating and marriage – before marriage, I took my wife out for dinner. Now after marriage, I still take her out for dinner, but not so that I’ll be accepted, but because I’m already accepted. Another example: mercy – care for the poor – we think its because people are irresponsible, when there may be many reasons – plus, to suggest that they are inferior or irresponsible means we don’t understand that we are too! Otherwise, it is a works-based religion. Matthew 24 – goats and sheep based on concept of mercy. It is a test to see if we see ourselves as deserving of mercy. Another example: Lack of confidence when looking at people “superior” to us and too much confidence when looking at someone “inferior” to me. Sense of inferiority or superiority means we have pride in something other than our salvation.
• Positive view of the City. In America, many churches believe that to be faithful, you can’t engage the city or be a part of it. Best way to serve neighbors and influence culture is to minister and live in cities – Jeremiah 29:1-7 (seeking the peace and prosperity of the city) and Paul’s urban mission in Acts. Centering on grace keeps us from despising the city – also keeps us from uncritically accepting it – we can love and embrace it. This is partly a theological issue – when don’t understand the gospel, there is tendency to think that the city is evil and the church is not – in reality, if understand that we are more sinful than we think, that there may be things to learn and be hopeful about in the city and there may be things that we don’t understand. Also, there is the strategic value – mass urbanization going on in the world, increasingly so – i.e. China. Cultural influence and change all happens in cities – Hollywood, finance, fashion, MTV, etc. Globalization making cities even more powerful – cities are seats of economic activity, social and technology networks, etc. particularly because international relations no longer political. Governments no longer control what people learn, read, etc. – more influential than nation-states. Huge growth of cities in China, Third World, etc. – think about Tokyo as center of Japan in terms of influence, etc. City also has more “marginal” progressive and innovative people, not just traditional people. See more areas of service, like poverty, racism, etc. Cities are becoming more connected – global cities more like each other than smaller cities in their own countries – i.e. NYC more like Tokyo than NYC like a smaller city in America. Same with London, Hong Kong, Moscow, Paris, etc.

Five Ministry Emphases. Need all five to change the city.
• Outward facing. Churches need to be very sensitive in evangelism to those who are skeptical and secular – in fact, in many ways, Japan may be similar – deep sense that the world is great the way that it is – that we may not need more than what we have, therefore do not need to believe in God. Churches can’t just reach conservative/traditional “church-type” people. Gospel grace allows us not to disdain those who disagree – or be contemptuous or to discredit them – we should say that there is much to learn from non-believers and be open to them. Allows us to be sympathetic and effective in finding ways to address baseline cultural hopes with Christ – must be able to articulate gospel in secular cities. Note importance of understanding baseline cultural narratives and hopes – i.e. sex, money, power – need for affirmation, community, power, sense of importance, etc.
• Community. Gospel creates new community – sign and foretaste of God’s future new humanity, the city of God. Key to both a) personal change and b) city change. Individual shaped not through classes or experience, but by community – we develop values through community, not intellectual principles. Churches must provide counter cultural community – not just support for Christians, but models alternate human society that gospel creates – how to live through sex, money, power, etc. in ways that are not destructive.
• Holistic ministry. Ministry of word and deed – see this in Jesus – he taught and healed, he preached and cared for the poor – it meant that there was some legitimacy to his ministry – not just talking about change, but bringing about change himself. Bible’s basic plotline is that of the return of the kingdom – that there will be restoration of the entire world, both material and spiritual – i.e. Revelation 21, the city of God comes down. Jesus does healing miracles to show the world what it was supposed to be. Not just way to evangelism, but it is an act of mercy that restores the world itself. In other words, there were many that Jesus healed where we don’t know if they eventually came to faith or not. Christians work towards healing, justice, peace through service as part of calling people to conversion. Must work for common good – show neighbors that we love them whether they believe or not. In some respects, mercy and care for the poor is truest measure of whether someone has grasped true grace or not.
• Cultural engagement. Integrate faith and work. Most churches disconnect faith from work. Many churches see the gospel as a way of finding individual peace or as something for yourself only, but has nothing to do with your entire worldview – the way that you see the world. Or, people see the workplace only as a place for evangelism or that what matters it hat you enter into ministry, but fail to acknowledge that our work life is a mission in and of itself (like Adam who was a gardener and not a preacher). Churches must help people to work for excellence and distinctiveness and accountability in “secular work” – in other words, can’t say that what matters is spiritual life and not work life – work life matters because God called Adam and Eve to work life. It’s the way God restores and mends the world.
• Church planting. Can only permanently influence city through multiplying churches with same commitments. Churches that penetrate every neighborhood and people group. Continuing multiplication. Growing and multiplying fellowship groups are like church plants!