We’ve just uploaded the latest Nomad podcast. This month we have a chat with Scott Boren. Scott is based at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul’s Minnesota, but also works as a small group consultant. Scott has a particular passion for seeing small groups become a place of genuine community and mission.I found Scott’s analysis of various forms of small groups really helpful.
Firstly he identified the ‘story of personal improvement’. This is one of the most common forms of group and it provides an opportunity for people to improve their normal lives. Consequently, people tend to come to meeting when it’s convenient and it can help them. I’ve definitely fallen into this category in the past, and as a small group coordinator for a church, this can be a frustrating phase of small group development.
Secondly, Scott talked about the ‘story of lifestyle adjustment’. This is where commitment to a group grows, but this is still in the form of a commitment to a formal gathering. This is where most of the groups are that I oversee, mine included. I suspect many churches would see this phase as a success.
Thirdly, Scott referred to the ‘story of relational revision’. This is there people begin to intentionally learn to do life together differently. Relational connections start to become more important than formal gatherings. I think my group is on the brink of this, as we’re starting to naturally mix outside of the group, as we help each other through life.
Lastly, Scott identified the ‘story of missional re-creation’. This is where God’s Kingdom begins to create something spontaneous, unexpected and unpredictable. Scott noticed that at this stage the need for structure decreases as the elements you are trying to build in become second nature. I’ve caught glimpses of this in groups, but it’s never quite become who we are.
Scott believes that to move towards this type of group we need to be people who listen and who are in rhythm with one another and with the community. This involves ‘missional communion’ where we practice the presence of God; ‘missional relating’ where we practice agape love towards each other, and ‘missional engagement’ where we begin to practice engagement with the community.
I think these principles could prove really helpful as we shape groups that are places where we love God, ourselves and our neighbours.
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How much time do you suppose first century Christian groups spent analysing and re-evaluating and "building" themselves? Sounds very introverted. I think until Christian individuals can "go out" to anyone nearby, rather than "inviting in" those people, we just come off as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (or Borg, for slightly younger folks)
ReplyDeleteHi mate. Great to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
ReplyDeleteI agree in as much as self-analysing and evaluation can become introverted and unhelpful, but I do think it has an important place in our communities. I think actually the early church spent a good amount of time in self-analysis. All the NT epistles are, in a sense, encouraging self-analysis. The authors are encouraging these communities to deeply reflect on their identity and calling in order to more appropriately reflect them in their mission. I think this is part of what Paul the apostle meant when he said the church comes together to be ‘built up’ in order that we can then go out to do ‘works of service’. So I agree, self-analysis isn’t ideal as we should naturally be outward focussed, but when things go wrong (as they inevitably do), self-analysis is required to bring us back on track. I think this is what Scott Boren is trying to do in his book.
Thanks again for your comments, very helpful.
Tim
Did the NT church engage in introspective refelction> mmmmm.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that, for them, the coming of Jesus was only that little while ago. And people who had known him, or known those who knew him, were probably around, at least sometimes. So, it was a lot easier to get in touch with what Jesus really did do and say - and preach.
While we have a New Testament, it seems for us in C21 the challenge is wading through all the historical accretions and discerning just what jesus would do and say, here and now. Of course, it would be linked with what he did and said C1 - and, guided by the Spirit, we should be able to do this.
But it's tough. And we disagree over who's got it most accurate (or to any degree accurate).
Seems as if we need some reflection on what we do.