community groups are a vital part of the vision at encounter. you’ll likely see and hear the term “community 2.0” tossed around frequently as you hear more about our vision. community 2.0 is more than just a catchy branding for Sunday school or small groups. it’s an idea we value highly at encounter: a new direction for community and relationships.
our community group leaders are encouraged to focus on community within their own groups and to build relationships that extend beyond the traditional walls of a Sunday morning service or a mid-week Bible study. as a part of our community 2.0 vision we’ve called our leaders to regroup…
a call to regroup
after a football team loses another important game, the headlines say the team is going to regroup. when a military mission fails to accomplish the objective and soldiers are scattered, the general calls for the soldiers to regroup. when motivation is lacking, when the plan is uncertain, and when success is unseen, the wise leader will call for the team to regroup. he’s give a new plan, a new call, a new vision for a way to win.
in our day, the church is struggling with its ability to make the impact that it once did on culture. methods that once were effective lack their impact. formats that once filled pews no longer have the same fire. in this new generation, so many things have changed: the face of the enemy. the language, the fears, and their frustrations. one thing that hasn’t changed is the need – to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ. the rising question is how that message is communicated.
the land of yesterday
the land of a generation ago was a very different place. the landscape was modern. belief was determined by denominational alignment and the church was the bastion of hope in the community. the enemies of the land were the godless nations of the world, those in need of the gospel were of a different skin color a world away, and the town sinners lived on the other side of the tracks. into this world the church reached with hope, and developed methods that would be effective in their world.
a time for change
we live in a foreign land compared to a generation ago. the landscape has changed. thinking has changed. people have changed. what has not changed in many places is the church. while holding on to theological truths as it rightly should, it has also held on to methods and attitudes that are no longer effective in the new culture of America. when challenged with a new environment, many resist and then develop attitudes that are damaging to the cause of the kingdom of Christ.
a biblical mandate
it all makes sense when a missionary goes to a foreign land. they begin by learning their culture, developing relationships, and living with the people. they dress like the people, talk like the people, and then permeate the culture with the attitude and actions of Christ. because the culture has little or no knowledge of Christ, the Bible, or church, the missionaries show it through their lives. The concept is intensely Biblical. it is the way Christ entered the culture of His day, the way Paul impacted the culture of his day, and the way we are to change the culture of our day.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
learn more
to learn more about community 2.0 please visit the community groups page or contact jonathan blundell for information on how you can take part in this vital ministry.
