growing big by becoming small (pt. 3)

Having located ourselves on the European continent 400 years ago in the previous two posts I aim to move to the British mainland during the turbulent years of the eighteenth century. This will enable further reflection on the central importance of small group ministry in the local church.

The person who can help most here is John Wesley. Wesley was a passionate evangelist and an organisational genius. He was also the founder of the Methodist movement. At the time of his death Methodism was reaching around one million people. Coupled with these huge numbers he faced the challenge of how to adequately disciple new Christians. The answer was a network of small groups.

He approached this task with passion and intent. Methodist societies existed in various communities around the UK. These he divided into what he called “classes” and “bands.” People meet each week in these small groups to study the Bible, pray and feedback on their relationship with God. Each class had a leader who reported to the preacher in charge of the society.

They were in effect house churches, meeting in the various neighbourhoods where people lived. The class leaders (men and women) were pastors and mentors.

Wesley set out guidelines for these class leaders which encouraged them to “see each person in his class once a week, in order to enquire how their souls were prospering; to advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require…”

The class meetings normally met one evening each week for an hour or so. Each person reported on their spiritual progress, or particular problems they had encountered, and received the support and prayers of others. Because the leaders knew each member well, they could adapt what they said to each individual need.  The frequent meetings meant that wrong attitudes could be stopped before they developed into sinful practices. In this context of frequent, personal, and loving contact, class meetings became a powerful redemptive force.

Two things stand out in Wesley’s vision…

The class meeting was the cornerstone of the entire Methodist structure.

They became the primary means of grace for thousands of Methodists. They served an evangelistic and discipling function (The class meeting was the place where most people came to faith).

Drawing on this rich heritage, Wesley and (Spener) can provide insight for the church today as it disciples the people of God and engages with the local community.

growing big by becoming small (pt. 2)

Building on my previous blog piece, I decided to re-read Philip Spener’s book that outlines his vision for the church of his day. What greatly impresses me is the way he writes with clarity and directness around the crucial question of how we make and mature disciples of Jesus.

His central conviction is that God’s Word will enkindle faith and provide guidance regarding the life of discipleship. However, he argues that preaching is only part of the answer in achieving that end. It can only take Christians so far in their devotion to God.

I believe this is because the focus of the New Testament is centred on the community of faith, the church. It follows that if this is where Scripture places its emphasis, then preaching that is true to God’s Word will follow its lead, and aim for corporate encouragement, unity, maturity and growth. The main purpose of a sermon is to build up the body of Christ. We struggle to grasp this today because of our focus on the individual. Spener understood it entirely.

He proposes that 3 further dimensions are required. Firstly, he encourages diligent reading of the Bible in private. Secondly, he suggests that it is read systematically during congregational meetings. Thirdly, he appeals for a return to “the ancient and apostolic kind of church meetings.” That is, the formation of small groups of Christians meeting in a given locality.

Spener envisages these small groups functioning with the following values…

Wise leadership at the helm

He believed that godly leadership was vital in order to maintain the spiritual health of each group and give it proper direction.

A concern for God’s honour

The primary motive in the establishment of these small groups was a desire to bring further glory to God.

A commitment to practicality

The aim of studying Scripture was to discover its simple meaning in order that faith could be enriched as a result.

A culture of honesty

Group members were encouraged to be open about the questions and doubts they had concerning the faith.

The need to create an atmosphere of grace

Selfish interest was to left at the door; the needs of others had to take priority.

What Spener set out 400 years ago remains a compelling vision for the church today as it seeks to disciple people in the twenty first century.

growing big by becoming small (pt. 1)

Let me introduce you to Philip (J. Spener), a thirty-something Lutheran Pastor from the German city of Frankfurt. His task of ministering in this important urban centre has been marked by difficulty and discouragement. However, his response has been simple and direct. Leaving aside the preaching plan set down by the Lutheran Church for ministers, he made a commitment to preach through the Bible with specific focus on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Initially he saw few results. But when he started a preaching series on Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” a significant number of people became Christians.

Philip gathered these new believers in his home twice a week for Bible study, prayer and support. This experience drove him to the conclusion that his country has one major problem. Despite loads of church activity, there are few who “really understand and practice true Christianity.”

He wrote a book (topped the bestseller lists!) in which he offered six ideas to reverse this trend.

Central in his thinking is the conviction that Christians must meet together out with Sunday congregational worship for Bible study and spiritual encouragement. This, he believes, will move them beyond mere acknowledgment of correct beliefs to lives of active godliness.

Actually, I should tell you that my friend, Philip, lived (and died!) almost 400 years ago! However, this apparently incidental comment is what gives his life and example added credence. The ideas that captured his heart would become the defining features of the later evangelical movement. In fact, evangelicalism has been healthiest when it embraces Spener’s founding values. And chief among them is the conviction that beyond congregational life, small group ministry is the fire that ignites the flame of discipleship and creates authentic Christian community.

I will develop these thoughts in future blogs. However, two key thoughts act as a foundation on which to build.

Firstly, Rick Warren (Pastor of Saddleback Community Church, California) once said that “we grow big by becoming small.” Giving small group ministry its proper place in the life of a church can lead to growth in membership. Brad House (author of “Community”) adds that small groups are not only about the making, they are also about the maturing of disciples.

Making and maturing disciples (in community)…in many ways, Philip Spener inspired this creative thinking. The challenge is to put it into practice…

change is here to stay!

Leaders know that effecting change in a local church can be a notoriously difficult process. At one end of the spectrum they deal with those who would resist it. At the other end, they engage with those who would drive it forward at any cost. Between those polar opposites a whole range of opinions is evident. How, then, do we move from one phase to another in the life of a local fellowship with the conviction that we are taking the church forward?

I recently gained valuable insight into the management of change from an unlikely source. For some weeks now Channel 5 has run a documentary that chronicles the life and times of Liverpool Football Club. As the first episode was drawing to a conclusion, the commentator offered this perceptive comment:  “In sport, moments of transition are inevitable, periods of struggle unavoidable, a need for leaders with true vision fundamental. In this unforgiving business the most successful recognise this, they plan for it, they adjust for it, and they embrace it. Then they put together teams of men who will head off on journeys together…”

This remarkable statement underlines the critical role of the leader in times of transition. It also highlights discernible qualities that reside in their hearts.

These same characteristics are vital as local church leaders seek to navigate a fellowship through constantly changing waters.

True leaders have a clear sense of direction. Leaders who seek God are given wisdom and discernment about the way forward for the church.

They are acutely aware of their surroundings. A leader recognises that change is most definitely here to stay!

They are marked by a tenacious spirit. They are persistent in the task before them and persevere when it would be easier to seek the safety and security of the harbour. They stay the course.

All of this needs further thought and development. However, perhaps one additional comment (not linked directly to the quote above) will suffice for the moment.

A godly leader’s life ought to be governed by humility

Along with vision, realism and tenacity, a spirit of humility must reside in the heart of a leader. This is because their trust ultimately rests in God and this same reliance is needed as they chart the future course for the local church.