In the book of Acts we find a compelling picture of a thriving, community-driven early church. Acts 2:42-47 tells us that the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (NIV).
In Kelso, Washington, the Journey Seventh-day Adventist Church has spent the past few years working to return to this example under the leadership of Pastor Jim John. Pastor Jim first found Jesus in his 20s after getting out of the military but did not take the call to pastoral ministry until around 10 years ago. “I’m no great preacher, but I do know this,” Pastor Jim shared with me as we sat together for an interview at Journey, “I always want to make sure that what I share is affecting people’s lives on Monday morning. When I think about ending a message I think, ‘What’s the big idea? What can we do with this? How can we integrate this into the mess of our world? How does it work in daily life?’” It was from this line of thinking that Journey Adventist Church began to change the way they did things just a few short years ago.
It started with a small group of dedicated leaders and some training. “We got a handful of leaders that were willing to try,” said Pastor Jim, “So we started with a community group of those leaders.” As the group studied, grew, and prepared to lead community groups of their own, Pastor Jim says there were several key factors in setting the groups up for success. Creating a space of safety and vulnerability was a top priority for the Journey Church. Facilitators were trained in how to engage and create room for voices who may be talked over or missed otherwise, as well as how to work with those who would attempt to dominate the conversations. “Small groups have been done forever – and they’re good. But they haven’t been done like this. No one is teaching in these groups. There’s a facilitator that ensures the group stays on task and that you don’t have group killers overwhelming the conversations.” Now, there is a community group led by Journey Church members every day of the week other than Sabbath!
“There are nine groups meeting right now. Every day of the week except Saturday night there is a community group happening anywhere from Castle Rock down to Ridgefield!” said Pastor Jim. Another key element for Journey Church group leaders has been a consistent group cycle. At church on Sabbath, Pastor Jim shares a message that will be discussed at the community groups throughout the week, and the groups meet for eight to nine weeks before taking a break. “We take breaks during the holiday season for almost two months for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as a month off for Spring Break. That allows people to say, ‘You know, I can do just about anything for eight or nine weeks.’”
“We work all year long toward an open baptism,” said Pastor Jim. “So, these are people who are being discipled. They’ve been in groups together. They’re relationally connected to other people in the church. When we see someone new at church now, we don’t just say ‘Hey, nice to see you! Come back next week!’ We say, ‘Would you come to my house this week for some food and to meet some new people?’ When they come over, they hear someone share a story about their lives because these are vulnerable groups. We let them know that what they share will stay there because it needs to be a safe place. So, when they do come to church, they’re connected. They recognize someone and go sit with them.”
“We had a man come forward during the baptism call who had been in one of our community groups,” said Pastor Jim, “He had never known Jesus or had anything to do with church, but he started coming with his wife. At first, he was quiet, but after three or four meetings he said some things. Everybody in that room listened and affirmed him. Then he spoke up again a week or two later, just started opening up a bit. The people in that group got to see him come to Christ! Now what did that do? It wasn’t just about him – the whole group was involved in bringing someone to Christ! That changed their world. Their stories changed. See, this isn’t just small groups. This is life!”
“In the past 18 months we have had 44 people come to Christ without an evangelistic series,” said Pastor Jim, “This is a direct result of sermon-based community groups allowing the Holy Spirit to do this – and being willing to do something different.”
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