Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
Every so often when I meet someone and they discover that I serve as a
minister, they will ask me, "So, where is your church?"
When I answer that question I politely let them know that it is not "my
church." But then sometimes I'm tempted to say
the Church is not a place,
but rather it is a group of people knit together from the heart to worship
and serve God. Biblically speaking, a church is not the non-profit
corporation; it is not the charitable, religious, tax-exempt organization
that constitutes a church. It is people who have found that following God
together, building each other up in their common faith and spreading their
faith, are the most important things in life.
But I realize that it probably wouldn't accomplish much to answer their
question like this because really all they were asking is, "Where is the
building located where you worship on Sundays?"
Today, people are searching for meaningful friendships and relationships.
Many individuals are starved for a church that provides unconditional love
where they can have their needs met. When a new family chooses to place
membership with a large congregation like West-Ark, it is often difficult
to find meaningful, intimate relationships. Intimacy is found in being an
active and participating part of a congregation on a regular basis.
Friendships that help one grow in the faith and hold one accountable for
one's own growth in the Lord are often found in the context of small home
fellowship groups. Everyone has been given gifts/talents/abilities by God's
Spirit. Everyone has a place in the Church, and we're all needed.
Small Group Ministry is designed to allow new people in. The Fellowships are
designed to multiply and to birth new groups as we grow. They are not
designed to become cliques. If we had an effective small group ministry at
West-Ark, it would be hard to get lost in the crowd because everyone would
have a place to fit in right from the beginning.
Coming up this weekend we are hosting an informative seminar on
Small Group Ministry here.
The West-Ark staff and Eldership are looking forward to this weekend of
spiritual growth and encouragement as we explore how we can become better
equipped to minister to those around us through small groups. If you have
any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. See you this weekend!!!
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page