An Inside Job – Transformation Begins Right Here and Now

Since the last Anchor went out before the new sermon series (“An Inside Job”) began, I wanted to follow up with some practical ideas about transformation this month. When we think about transformation, we often think about sudden and dramatic changes, but we don’t notice the subtle behind-the-scenes cues that transformation has already begun. As examples, since I have begun to track such things, we started last school year with a good number of small groups - 10 in all that I was aware of, including studies, Sunday School, and the like (but not counting scouts, AA, and music groups).

Last week, I went back to fill in some gaps and realized that six more groups have been added since I last checked (not counting the other groups I mentioned)! I have been beating the drum of small groups for a long time, and six groups may not seem like much, but it is a great deal, considering the people who are growing, feeling more connected, supported, and empowered as a result.

Another transformation I’d like to highlight is one that is beginning now. Because of all the confusion around disaffiliation, we held a meeting last month to clarify matters. There was such a feeling of relief and goodwill as a result of being able to gather as a congregation to discuss important matters that quite a few people wanted to see a “part 2” or some kind of continuation. I have been working with a few people to arrange for that to happen. This time, I’d like to start at a different point, by putting the horse in front of the cart. Instead of having to discuss disaffiliation, I’d like to have a dialogue (or two) about who we are as a church, and what we’re here to accomplish. Then we’ll have a better idea of what decisions make sense for us, and which do not. Details will come as they develop, but the general idea is that we’ll have these gatherings around the round tables in the fellowship hall over the course of 2-3 gatherings, starting in late May or early June. The outcome, I hope and pray, is that we as a church body will come away with a stronger sense of identity and purpose so that we are in a better place to make decisions about what direction to take in the future.

Both transformations share a slow-build process in common. Small groups grow from small group leaders, who grow into leaders through time and effort. A greater sense of identity grows from intentionally looking both within and around us, as well as asking God to guide us. Also, both transformations show how the individual affects the group and vice versa. As we become more Christ-like (which is the purpose of transformation) individually, we help our church become more Christ-like, and as the church becomes more Christ-like, we as individuals are encouraged to become more like Christ. One way to describe this growth is to quote Paul, from Ephesians 4:12 - 13: “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” We are individually equipped, given spiritual gifts and growing spiritual fruit, so that we can together grow into the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Isn’t it good to know that God’s will is, even now, being fulfilled in our presence? I think so, and I am grateful for signs that it is happening.