Reflections for Life Group Leaders
Sharing Life—Connecting journeys—Following Christ
Where is your victory won?
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
Like many American men (for that matter almost all men) I have a passion for sports, especially football. I loved to play it growing up and enjoy watching it even today. I remember so well the two-a-days practices of August when high school football teams would gather together for intense practice times of contact and conditioning. I remember waking up every morning with pretty much every muscle in my body telling me I should not be doing this and painfully reminding me of my need for conditioning. It was a time when coaches would use words like commitment, desire, intensity and teamwork. Outstanding athletes who were in poor condition would find themselves being out--competed by nominal athletes who were in good condition. Preparation and conditioning, or lack of preparation and conditioning were both very obvious in my team mates and myself. I remember the football coach of my senior year Kevin Thomas instilling in us that the victories of September, October and November were really won in June, July and August. The hours in the weight room working out, the time spent studying last year’s game films and the repetitive drills and time spent practicing with teammates really made possible the success to come.
As the great Abraham Lincoln shared during his trials while enduring the criticism of the press for not being active enough in engaging the enemy during the Civil War, “if I had 8 hours to chop down a tree I would spend 6 hours sharpening my ax”. Deliberation and preparation were important parts of his battle plan.
As we anticipate an exciting new season of ministry, a time of transition and opportunity before us…..how do we prepare. As a life group leader are you praying for your “team”? Are you considering how to best disciple the disciples God has brought into your personal ministry. What does your group do well….what do they need to grow in. Does your group need a greater sense of purpose and mission, or do they need a season of rest and reflection?
Resources are being networked, identified and developed that will be available to assist you as a leader. Margo will be asking your help in facilitating a resource catalog including general information about your group. The catalog will also include a list of multiple media resources, books in our library, DVD programs topically indexed, studies specific to developing “life” in life groups. The information about your group will be made available to other leaders so they can network with you and perhaps even utilize your knowledge and experience. We are all part of the same team and this will allow all of us to be “stronger, faster and better support for each other”. Where is our victory won? It is won on our knees and in our total dependence on the God of the universe who calls each of us to be part of His team. October will be a special time of emphasis for our Life groups to encourage participation by our members and invitation to pre-members to “try out” life group communities. There are exciting opportunities and you need to know about them.

Are you leading by the quail or the rope principle?
Ephesians 4:11—14 “he gave apostles, prophets...to equip the saints for the ministry, for building the Body of Christ”……..so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning……
I find it interesting and often humorous as I watch people cross the intersection in front of my office at Fifth and Miller. Especially the Moms with little ones in tow or the daycares/pre-schools as they go for an outing.
Some travel in straight lines with the leading parent/teacher eyes front obviously with an expectation that those behind regardless of age and personality will follow. They know their destination and it is all about getting there and not so much about enjoying the journey. Other adults push/herd from the back with an eye on every child and look a little like a random flock of quail wandering down the sidewalk. There is sense of chaos but usually also time taken to appreciate the occasional butterfly or flower. Some larger groups travel with a connecting line of hand-holding followers strung out behind and an adult taking up the rearguard position. Definitely a military style operation and the care and safety of the group uppermost. I am really impressed by the organized groups which have a rope held at each end by an adult and the little ones in between and obviously admonished to hold on to the rope and stay in line. They have provided a way to stay connected and yet are able to keep their charges moving along in a purposeful way and be able to watch for potential dangers as they travel.
I would wonder if perhaps from Gods perspective as He watches us travel through life with our families, life groups, churches and communities if the patterns He sees might be very similar to the four I described. We start out as followers then progress to leadership. Groups change in personnel and personality and if they are healthy will see their members go from being followers and children to leaders and parents. One quote about the role of parenting resonates with me, “we are to give our children roots so they are anchored and solid when the winds of life blow but also give them wings so they can fly on their own, they were not designed to stay in the nest.” (italics mine) Parenting has to be an intentional process forming and shaping those in our care with the big picture in mind throughout the process. So it also is for us as Life Group leaders. Leadership needs to be intentional and with an eye towards the big picture, helping each member fulfill the role God has for them in their journey so that when they step into eternity their lives will reflect fruit and having lived a purpose driven life.

Great things are happening in our churches Life Group Ministry and we appreciate you being part of it. We will be developing a resource catalog for life group leaders, potential life group members and current life group members. One section will feature life groups-- location, leadership and demographic. We will be asking for a picture of you and your spouse( if appropriate) to include in the reference to your life group. Margo will be getting in touch with you to arrange for either a photo from you or a time to take one for our catalog.

Blessings to you and again YOU ARE APPRECIATED.

Please let us know of ministry you are about this summer and again any meaningful things that you are experiencing.