A PAUSE FOR THE CAUSE!

I noticed something this past Sunday at church that doesn’t really surprise me but it did give me what I call a “pause for the cause”. It’s a moment in time where I pause and reflect on what I am observing and begin to strategize what to do about it. This past Sunday I paused, because in the midst of a very busy day with a lot on the plate including a blitz distribution to supervise, a curriculum team meeting to oversee, and a small group meeting to lead I noticed that people were hanging around the connection kiosk and signing up to connect with a group at CPH! It made me realize that connection in the church and the desire people have to connect with a small group doesn’t ever take time off, not even in the summer. I began to immediately reflect on what Pastor had just preached from 2nd Timothy 4:2.

“Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” (CHSB)

The words that struck me were these “persist in it whether convenient or not.” Now I know that summer time is filled with many activities that have the potential to conflict with connection group. Add to that the fact that our children’s ministry is not meeting on a consistent basis as they gear up for their summer events, and people are taking time off for vacation, and it can seem that connection groups become an inconvenience. As a group leader of two groups I can identify with these issues. However, this one thing I am committed to and that is the Biblical call to “Do life together.” We can all agree that life is sometimes maybe much of the time inconvenient but we are called to persist.

WHY SHOULD WE PERSIST?
Pronunciation: \pər-ˈsist, -ˈzist\ : 1: to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time

1. Because we have a faithful father who persisted in his pursuit for our redemption
2. Because we have a history of persistent examples of the faith who have modeled the way
3. Because we have a call to persist from the word of God
4. Because we have a responsibility to persist for those who desire to connect with CPH

There are many more reasons but these few alone have impacted me enough as a leader to rise to the occasion this summer and continue to lead my groups to meet as frequently as possible. We are committed to living our lives together as we persist to meet and even grow our group both relationally and numerically this summer.

WHAT ABOUT A TIME OF REST?

Don’t get me wrong, I think rest and time away is important for the leader as well and there is great value in rest, reflection, and renewal and that’s why having a co-leader in the group who can assist and even take over while you are resting is vital. I encourage every leader this summer to:

1. Take time away from your group this summer and reflect on what God would lead your group to do in the next season of life (Strategy).

2. Allow your co-leader to assume more responsibility (Leadership Development).

3. Focus on events away from your current host home (Meet in parks, at Naturals games, at church events,) or share hosting responsibilities among the group (Host Development).

4. Continue to reach out and invite new people to your group (Group Development).

Side Note: (People will continue to visit, attend, and join CPH all throughout the summer and we cannot afford to tell them that they have to wait several weeks or even months before they can connect with a group.)

FUN IN THE SUMMER SUN!

Your group can experience life together this summer and beyond with a little persistency. I believe that our best chance to go deeper with our groups relationally and spiritually is to be consistent and frequent in our times together. Balance in the five purposes while sharing in group life will mean a more effective group that will avoid burnout or complacency. Think about these things:

1. How are you balancing “The 5” this summer
a. Are you developing group ministry? (What about serving at adventure week?)
b. Are you developing group fellowship? (What about a lake day? Naturals game?)
c. Are you developing group evangelism? (Block party anyone? Blitz the block?)
d. Are you developing group worship? (Wednesday night prayer at CPH?)
e. Are you developing group discipleship? (Devotional thought for the week?)

2. How are you developing future leaders from within your group?
3. How are you developing future host homes from within your group?
4. How are you communicating with your group and church leadership?
5. Are you “On the team” engaging in opportunities provided for you as a leader of a connection group (Training, Blog, Sunday Packets, Connection Power, Community Coach, etc.)

I love and appreciate all that you do for the Lord and connection ministry and desire to see you and your groups ascend to greater connection and success for the Glory of God and the benefit of his Church!