Be careful when trying to get your Microchurch or missional community out on mission. Attempts to keep everybody excited and engaged can be tough. Some people want growth & depth, other people want action. You can quickly get overwhelmed. How do I create and manage an environment that takes people both DEEP in the faith and OUT changing the world?
Very quickly the Microchurch environment can tend to take on the vibe and personality of the organizer. If you are pulling people together, and you are a shepherd, the group may feel well-loved and not actually take any action. If you love connecting with outsiders, a group can be a party, but never provide teaching and training.
How do you ensure that each Microchurch or missional community thrives in all the ways of the ministry of Jesus? It wouldn’t even be fun to try to create that by yourself. Perhaps the better approach is to let your people be themselves. Within your community lie all the tools, gifts, and resources that you need.
It is absolutely critical to create a roundtable experience where every single person filled with the Spirit of God has permission to speak out about their passions and lead from their areas of strength. Image it. If this happens, the person who is passionate about caring for people will make sure your community and neighborhood is cared for. If this happens, the PROPHET in your midst will make sure that the outcast and the marginalized are thought of, that God’s people take a stand against injustice.
If you only take on the flavor of the organizer or facilitator, your ministry will only be 20% the ministry of Jesus. It will be greatly lacking. If, however, you call out, give permission to, and empower all the voices of the people that are a part of your Microchurch it will be wildly dynamic.
As someone who is pulling people together, see yourself as a sort of point guard. The point guard is the person who passes the ball and facilitates the offense. If you see yourself as the person who is calling out all of the gifts and capacities of your people you will see the greatest possible impact.
Together with your team, dream and imagine what sorts of environments you’d like to create. They could be environments of prayer and connection, environments of serving and loving your community, or environments of party and table that you can extend your friendship to outsiders. The possibilities are truly endless.
Mike Jarrell oversees coaching, vision and training at Narrow Road Communities in Harrisburg, PA. He also serves as director of the Creo Collective.