Newcomers can also feel overwhelmed in a crowd of people who get on so well together. Do they find it hard to get to know us?
Jesus obviously enjoyed speaking to the crowds in synagogues, on hillsides or on the beach. Those large gatherings can be a time of great celebration and we should continue to meet together on Sundays and other specific occasions. However Jesus also took 12 men to one side, where they eat together, laughed, cried, and shared each other's problems and joys. Through those times He taught and prepared them for what was to come. Indeed, after the resurrection of Jesus, the early disciples met together from house to house and evangelized their countrymen in the synagogues! Likewise we also need to enjoy the closer friendships that can be experienced from meeting in smaller groups.
It is without doubt that church growth, both spiritually and numerically, can only happen as each member of the growing congregation manages to identify with a smaller group of people, where they can know their gift and role in the Body of Christ. It is only when we fit into God's will for our life that we can be fulfilled and knowing our gift and role in the Body of Christ is a significant part of knowing God's will. It is for this reason that I strongly encourage everyone to belong to a small group.
For the future we need a list of those people who may be willing to act as group leaders for a period of time, or be prepared to support an existing group leader. Anyone willing to respond to this calling should contact Clive Weir. We need to have a register of people in order to plan for the future. Thank you in anticipation.
Clive Weir
March 2004