Thoughts Along The Journey

I believe that each of us, as World Team workers, could benefit significantly from a mentor, a coach, and a community. 

Back in 2014, we re-introduced one another to the idea of building community with others for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.  A small working group put together the document: “TC4u: Transformational Communities“.  If you have never seen this document or can’t currently find it in your files, drop me a note and I’ll make sure to send you a copy.

This document describes how a Transformational Community (TC4u) is one that:

• believes and holds Christ as the Head of the community
• believes that God is relational and has created mankind in His image as relational beings
• believes that the community is a provision of the Lord for their transformation and growth
• believes that they are secure and confident in justification through Christ
• believes that the Trinity lives in community, chooses to include us in their community and that community is part of the mission
• believes the NT church voluntarily practiced sharing all things (koinonia), in response to God “freely giving us all things”

One of the statements that struck me the most in re-reading this document was the following:  “TC provides a broader source for discernment about our lives, relationships, and ministries. Our own sins and weaknesses deeply affect our discernment about ourselves. God often provides better perspective and protection through others’ involvement in our lives.”

That work of discernment can occur individually as we meet with others; that work can occur as we meditate on the Word together and the Spirit speaks to our own heart; and that work can occur through the insights and words of others in a community of which you and I are an active part.

Outside of community, each of us can be easily blinded to our own shortcomings and sins.  The role of community is to remind us of, drive us back to the Cross.  At the Cross, we hear again those words that are so precious: ‘your sins have been forgiven; you are my child’

I honestly look forward to getting together regularly with the community that I am a part of with my wife and others.  What we do, might not look the same in your context or situation.  However, because I and others in the group see community as so vital to our growth in grace, we’ve worked out the best way at this point for us to be ‘in community’ as often as we can.

Filed under: Community, Discernment, TC4u |