The experts say that one of the first steps in planting a church is forming a core group. I held my first “core group” meeting today, but I don’t think this core group is what the experts had in mind.
The core group consists of me, two “Christians” who don’t go to church any more, one agnostic, two Rastafarians, and a Wiccan.
In any group there needs to be some things in common that hold them together, and that is true of us as well. Our desire is to read the four gospels so that we can discover what Jesus did in his life and try to do similar things in ours. The agnostic mentioned frequently today that he just wants to follow the example of Jesus. The Wiccan kept saying that Jesus was all about love, and he wants to love people like Jesus did.
In our meeting today we set some ground rules. Here they are with a brief explanation:
1. Jesus is the example we are trying to follow. Though lots of people have many different religious heroes and saintly forefathers, nearly all people of all religions agree that Jesus is, if nothing else, a good example to follow.
To keep us on track in following Jesus, we decided two more rules were necessary.
2. Doctrinal debates are not allowed. Individuals are allowed to state their own beliefs, but doctrinal debates will not be part of our meetings. As followers of Jesus, we do not want to be sidetracked by arguments about Him or disagreements about whether he really said this or actually did that. We felt that cutting off all debates before they even started was the only way that people of such diverse beliefs and backgrounds could accomplish our purpose together. To help us fulfill this guideline, we added a third:
3. To learn about Jesus, we will only go to the Bible.No other books will be brought into or discussed during our times together. This is isn’t because we don’t value other books, but because the Bible is probably the only “religious” book respected by nearly everybody. Nearly all religions claim the Bible as part of their “holy writings” but not all agree on texts like the Quran or the Book or Mormon. Even people who do not believe the Bible is true, or that it is divinely inspired can read the Bible and learn from it.
For now, that’s it. We discussed a couple of other ideas, such as “no prayer” or “no offerings” but decided to leave that open for now. After all, what would we do when Jesus instructs us to pray or give if we had already decided not to pray or give?
Next week, we are going to begin reading one of the Gospels together (probably Matthew) and as we read about what Jesus taught or what Jesus did, we will have a discussion about it, and come up with a plan for how we as a group can do what he says or imitate what he does.
I’ll keep you informed on how it goes. But for now, what do you think?
That sounds very interesting. For sure it will be a great journey together. No matter how it goes lesson will be learn along the way.
I will try to remember you and your group in prayer.
Thanks, Flo. We’ll see what happens.
I received a note on my Facebook page from Matthew saying that this isn’t a church. By most definitions of church he’s right, of course.
But then, as I hinted at in the post, this isn’t a church, but only one of the steps toward planting a church. So I’m considering this the seed which might grow into church.
Jeremy,
It sounds like you are on an interesting venture! I’ll keep checking in to see the progress.
I find myself in a similar position – exploring the beginning of a church plant. At present I’m praying and working through what I see the end result being, and determining the steps needed to work toward that end. We’re praying for God’s direction as we work to establish a core group.
Blessings as you work through Matthew. God will do amazing things in the hearts of the group!
David
David,
Where are you planting a church?
You’re right when you say that you are in dark places – and that is not a bad thing but one (as I’m sure you know well) is cause for desperate dependency on God and the strength of other brothers and sisters in Christ.
I’m intrigued by the gathering that the Lord has led you into and will do my best to be lifting you and this group up in prayers, especially in regards to the truth of the gospel’s light breaking through blind eyes and giving knowledge of His Glory in truth (2 Cor 4:4-6).
What is your goal for this group, Jeremy? I’d like to hear your heart behind this because it is definitely a bold and not easily taken step.
in Him,
Chris
Chris,
My goal is discipleship. I do not believe that discipleship begins when a person believes in Jesus, but much sooner than that. I see Jesus at the center of everything, and I look at people in proximity to him. Some are “further” away than others. If I can help bring people close to him, I am helping disciple them.
Jeremy,
This is pretty much what I teach in my ministry about evangelism. In teaching people to become ministers of reconciliation(2 Cor 5:17), I actually encourage them to avoid trying to determine if a person is a “believer”. I define evangelism as “living our lives in such a way that we reflect the person of Jesus and in so doing we draw those who are not in relationship into a relationship with Jesus, and those who are already in relationship with Jesus into deeper relationship.” This means we do not necessarily treat unbelievers any different than believers, we love and value them all just as Jesus would. This helps us to stay focused on living our lives according to the model of Christ, and not measuring the walks of those around us.
I will pray for your core group that God will use you to draw those around you closer to Himself. This model if discipleship and evangelism is really revolutionary, at least in our modern church. I believe that this relational model is the most consistant with the biblical cooncept of discipleship and eangelism. Keep focused on living a life that reflects Christ, and be prepared to share reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15).
God Bless,
FedEx,
President,
Men of Praise Motorcycle Ministry
FedEx,
Yes, it is always dangerous when we try to judge the state of someone’s eternal destiny. It puts us in the place of Jesus! Not good.
Jeremy,
I just finished reading your series “Evangelisn is Gospelism”, or at least all of them I could find (Parts 1,2,3&6 as well as “The Gospel is Full of Good News”) I would love to see 4 and 5 if they are out there. This is exactly what I have been trying to teach for the last couple of years, I just do it with a little less eloquence. I never really thought of changing the concept of evangelism to gospelism, but I really like it. In my future teachings, I plan to borrow on your material to help further develop my ideas. This is great stuff, Thank You.
FedEx,
President,
Men of Praise Motorcycle Ministry
FedEx,
Use them all you want. Thanks for asking.
Here are all the links:
Part 1. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-1/
Part 2. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-2/
Part 3. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-3/
Part 4. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-4/
Part 5. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-5/
Part 6. https://redeeminggod.com/blog/evangelism-is-gospelism-part-6/
hi jeremy- i just found your site from the ooze-i love the idea of your core group! i am undergoing such a change in the way i think about God and religion and reading some of your articles has been very refreshing–right now i am part of a very fundamental church and i need to get out- i am tired of the judgement and looking at people as ‘saved’ and ‘unsaved’ (we recently had a church event where if you brought an ‘unsaved’ friend they got to rollerskate for free- i wanted to vomit)-i just want to follow Jesus- dont know where to go but i do want to stay part of a church (for the sake of my children)- i saw somewhere on your blog that you too are in the hudson valley— are there any churches you can recommend that fall in line with your way of thinking?
Keri,
That free rollerskating thing sounds great! I have slightly longish hair, maybe if I had known about it, I could have skated for free.
Just kidding. I fully empathize with you and what you are going through. Keep thinking and praying and asking Jesus to lead you to some other like-minded people as well as some others you can love and serve.
Are you in the Hudson Valley? I am sorry, I do not know of any churches like this in the area. I have looked and called and visited and prayed. The closes I got is a church that said they take a yearly offering to stock their food pantry.
But I have only really looked within 30 minutes of where I live, so there might be something closer to you. Send me an email: jmyers AT tillhecomes.org
make some flyers on your home computer advertising a bible study in the laundromat. tell everyone to bring the laundry and you will bring the quarters. do the bible study while the laundry is in the machine.
That is a great idea. Have you ever heard of anyone doing this? I would be curious to know how it went.
It’s interesting that you have non Christians in your core group. Maybe yours is different, but in my church we have a core group and it consists of the pastor, his wife, another couple and a single lady. Maybe every church does it differently, but I heard it’s supposed to comprise of people of the same gender. I’m confused.
Why would it be only of people of the same gender? I have never heard of that before…