Values 7-9
7. In for the long haul
Transformation, whether personal or community, doesn’t often happen overnight. It would be nice if it did. In the natural world, things take time to grow. It’s the same in the spiritual world, so we must be in it for the long haul, to keep watering and tending the seedlings of the Kingdom that God is growing. We need to recognise that building a worshipping community is a marathon and not a sprint and sometimes we just need to keep on keeping on.
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Questions
- How long are you committed to growing community where you are?
- What might be the habits and rhythms of life you could introduce in your community that might help you stay for the long haul?
8. Made for relationship
We were made from relationship and for relationship. God didn’t create humanity via a programme, rather we were created out of the relational love of the Father, Spirit and Son. First and foremost, we are called to build relationship rather than delivering programmes. Even the best programmes have relationship as their core.
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”
Questions
- How are you having fun as a community?
- What are the key relationships at the core of your work as a community?
- How are you developing those relationships?
9. It’s all about team
Community transformation isn’t a sole sport. Not one person has all the gifts and skills needed, but a team that has apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers will go far. You need to find out who God has created you to be and then gather others around you with different gifts and skills. After all, you don’t want a team of people who are ‘mini me’s’.
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Questions
- How does your community celebrate people’s different gifts and talents?
- What are the areas you need to strengthen as a team?
- Are there people in the community who might have the gifts, skills, or talents to help?
