OUR TASK

Enemy-occupied territory - that is what the world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage" (C.S. Lewis, 1952).

OUR METHOD

Here is the wisdom of his method... the fundamental principle of concentration upon those he intended to use. One cannot transform a world except as individuals in the world are transformed, and individuals cannot be changed except as they are molded in the hands of the Master. The necessity is apparent not only to select a few... but to keep the group small enough to be able to work effectively with them.(Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Old Tappan, N.J.: Revell, 1987, Page 24)

SHARED MINISTRY (EVERY MEMBER MINISTRY) 

The message of the first small group was that Christ does not overlook ordinary people. (John Mallison, Growing Christians in Small Groups, Sydney, Australia: Scripture Union, 1989, Page 3) 

THE FOCUS OF SMALL GROUPS

In essence, LIFEgroups are about how the Lord Jesus Christ has chosen to reveal Himself in His church. The incarnate presence of Christ in our midst! 

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (KJV)

THE CHALLENGE

"Perhaps the greatest single weakness of the contemporary Christian Church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all and, what is worse, do not think it strange that they are not... There is no real chance of victory in a campaign if ninety per cent of the soldiers are untrained and uninvolved, but that is exactly where we stand now". Elton Trueblood. Disiplemaking Pastor by Bill Hull (pg 19)

We dream of having a church where every Christ follower understands that we cannot expect the win the battle unless everyone is willing to obey the marching orders of our commanding officer, the Lord Jesus Himself.

We dream of equiping every leader to be ready for battle. We want our leaders to be as prepared as the US soldiers where on D-Day of World War II. They were so well prepared, that, On D-Day, General Eisenhower did not make one order. Everyone knew what to do!   Extensive effort had been made to insure that all of the military leaders serving under Eisenhower  knew how to make good decisions on D-day, in coordination with the overall strategy for winning the war.

We desire to equip leaders in how to think, how to make good decisions in the midst of the battle.  If leaders are given the important values that under gird good decisions, then there is greater freedom for independent thinking and overall effectiveness.

Core Values

Some churches are relational, with no direction.  There is no direction for spiritual growth, no direction to reach the lost, no direction for the mission of the church.  These churches become social clubs, not movements of God.
Other churches have direction, but no relationships.  These become organizations rather than what God created the church to be, a body, an organism.

John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” NIV

This is why I have defined discipleship as "relationship with direction."  It needs to involve both aspects.  Jesus modeled this for us as he spent time "with" the disciples while leading them to become fully equipped leaders for the church.

On the scale below, where would you put our church?
Relational                     Directional
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10

LIFEhouse Decision Making Values:
These are the key questions that reflect our core values:
As all of our leaders own these core values, we are able to help each other stay on track.  Everyone becomes keepers of the values so that we help each other to see our blind spots when making ministry decisions.  This means that everyone, Pastoral Staff and every leader is accountable to live out these values.  No one is above being called on for violating these ministry principles.

When starting a new ministry, having positive answers to the following these 10 questions, will give you confidence that you are starting a sustainable ministry.

1. Are We Reaching One Hand Up and One Hand Down?

Everyone needs a Paul, a mentor from which to learn (one hand up). Everyone needs a Timothy, to disciple (one hand down). This means that for every ministry where a leader is serving, we have a regular leadership meeting where a "leader of leaders" is equiping, training and mentoring that leader. This typle of ministry environment also provides a healthy accountability in ministry.

This is the quality care question. (Exodus 18)  Are we taking in, so that we have something to give out?  This is one of the reason I read books and attend seminars – I want to be a lifelong learner.  I want accountability from the Elder Board.  Everyone should be accountable to someone.

2. Are We Making Fewer and Finer Commitments?

Many Lay Leaders have too many leadership positions in the church, and therefore aren't able to do anything with excellence. Too many leaders have burned out, trying to do too many things in ministry. Christ said that His burden is light and well fitting, and if people are burning out, it may be because they are carrying more of a load than Jesus intends.

At the same time, Jesus asks us to make "finer" commitments. As the disciples walked with Jesus, He raised the bar of commitment. Some refused to continue following Jesus because they weren't willing to commit. (John 6:60-71)

John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Luke 10:41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, NIV

Matthew 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. NIV

Philippians 3:13 "…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, NIV

3. Are We Building Marriages?

We encourage couples to find a ministry where they can serve together as a married team, rather than in separate ministry areas. Couples offer their unique mix of spiritual gifts, personality and abilities.

Matthew 19:6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” NLT

Is this ministry healthy for marriages?  Is your marriage better by being involved in this church?

4. Are Leaders Being Discipled?

Lay Leaders are the Most Prized Resource in the Church. Ministry is best accomplished through spiritually healthy lay leaders.
As the leaders go, so goes the ministry!

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” NIV

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. NIV

5. Are We Living in Authentic Community?

Do we really care for people?  Community – fellowship – means "sharing in common."

Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. NIV

The great need in our world is for people to see believers who really care for one another and aren't just talking about it.  Hypocrisy is the greatest obstacle for this next generation in coming to Christ.  They see self righteous judgmental, arrogant proclaimers, and little Christ-like compassion (unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman, Gabe Lyons)

LIFEgroups are the "hub" of our ministry. It is where authentic Christian community happens. Our goal is to have 100% participation of our regular worship attenders. This is where we meet with Jesus, care for one another and reach out into our community.

6. Is there Gender Based Accountability?

"Man to Man" and "Woman to Woman" Accountability?  Women can best be counseled by women and men by men. It is easier for men to discern the heart of another man… and woman, the heart of another woman.

We have separate Mens and Womens ministries, for those who are single, for those whose spouse is not involved, or simply for those not in a LIFEgroup. However our desire is to see leadership developed from within the LIFEgroups as the men meet with men and women with women in the context of their LIFEgroups. Many LIFEgroups meet the unique needs of men and women by either using the LIFEgroup time for the men to meet in one room and the women in another, or by developing separate Men's and Women's Groups that meet at another time as a subset of the group.

7. Are We Building Teams?

Nothing significant ever happens with one person…
Jesus created a movement with an inner three, Peter, James and John that expanded to 12, 70, 120, 500, 3,000…  Jesus focused his attention on the twelve to provide leadership for the church long after he went to heaven.
We multiply servant leaders, then groups.  We cannot multiply groups unless we are multiplying leaders. Our ministry rises or falls based upon the spiritual health and quality of our leaders. Our goal is to be a "leadership engine," where well equipped and spiritually strong leaders are produced for every ministry.

John Maxwell has said, "the bigger your dream, the bigger your team."

Leaders are most effectively equipped through “on the job” training as part of a ministry team, so we ask every potential leader to join an existing group as an apprentice before taking a lead role.

8. Are We Missional?

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, NIV

Every Member is a Missionary. In the hands of God, every member has the potential to be a LIFEgroup Leader reaching out to those who don't know Christ in neighborhoods and the workplace. We are an intentional, attractional and missional ministry.

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. NIV

Are we simply a "holy huddle?"  Are we willing to step out of the boat to reach those who don't know Christ?

9. Are We Cultivating a Heart For Prayer/Worship?

We gather together on weekends for corporate worship.  We are created by God for worship.  God desires a living relationship with us.  This happens as we understand what it means to have a vital, relational line of communication with our Heaven Father.

We are seeking to cultivate a heart of prayer in every one of our LIFEgroups, with special nights of prayer, and most importantly as a personal spiritual discipline in each individual life.  Ultimately, when we understand what it means to worship God acceptably, everything else falls into place.  In worship we receive what we need from God.  In worship we give God what He deserves.

10. Are we Biblical?

Methods are many, principles are few, methods always change, principles never do.  The rock solid foundation of everything we do is whether it is based on Biblical principles.  Truth is stronger than error and it changes lives.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. NLT

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. NLT

Conclusion:
Building a ministry on these ten principles will mean that we are empowering people to carry out an ever expanding ministry that builds the kingdom of God.