Shepherding on the Right Path In Today's Culture

At the conference I recently attended, one of the most convicting things I learned was how very important shepherding the flock is. Jim Putman, author of "Church is a Team Sport" spoke very emphatically about this lost effort in today's American churches. Church in many places has become "a show" where there's an expectation for a dynamic, uplifting message, impressive music, and an hour or so to get "recharged" on Sunday mornings. According to many of the statistics reported (in several seminars at the conference), the culture has definitely worked its way in to a vast number of churches (they have lost their effectiveness and impact) across the country and one has to wonder, how has it come to this?

When I consider River of Life, the ministries, and level of involvement from the body, I too become concerned...are we headed down this self-serving path where church is more about me (and what I can get out of it) than we (in relationship with God and each other)? Are we more impressed by what we hear and see in the media and at the water-cooler than what Jesus called us to do? When I read our 5 values and hear the heart of our leaders (staff, elders, ministry team leaders) however, I am still convinced that we are on the right path, the path of relationships NOT show or performance.

Still, as a church of possibly 400 people or so we have alot of gaps, a lot of people not known or cared for. As September arrives, so do many opportunities for people to get connected. Community groups are the ideal place for this to happen. They are safe settings where folks can share their challenges and victories, be cared for,encouraged and reminded of God's great love and grace...kind of like contemporary shepherding I would say! We need to make it a priority to stay on the right path in this fast-paced culture that puts so many other paths before us. We need each other on this journey so we can better stay on course and be a better witness to a lost and dying world. It is impossible to shepherd, if the flock is so scattered they cannot be gathered. Let's not be sheep who have gone astray, let us gather at the foot of the cross alongside our brothers and sisters, where our ultimate Shepherd loves us into His fold and guides us with grace and purpose!

Famous Last Words

I recently attended a conference about small groups and discipling. I am still in the decompressing mode; praying and sifting through all that I learned in an effort to discern what God is calling me to do and impart in response. Interestingly enough, God had been working on me and challenging me on this subject for more than a year. Even with all the resources and possibilities to consider, one thing remains very simply constant; and that is what Jesus emphasized as His great commission to "therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."Matthew 28:19.

What I do know is that we as Christians all need to be in relationships where we are free to be ourselves and help each other on this journey so we can indeed be and make disciples. It is at the heart of our vision and purpose here at River of Life to be very intentional about this. As we have grown, there are many in our flock who are not connected or known. It is our desire that everyone who calls River of Life their church home will meet with others on a consistent basis. And, this is the same priority for anyone who comes through our doors.

Please join me in PRAYING for our body in this sense, that we will take the Lord's "last words" to heart and respond with love and obedience.

More to come in regard to opportunities for relationships and growth this fall! Stay tuned.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1