True Community

After World War 2, William Levitt started an American phenomenon. It may help you to know how Levitt became famous although only geography geeks and Trivia Pursuiters usually care! William Levitt was a developer who is credited with beginning the planned American suburb community. Think bad 60s classroom films (a la Epcot Center attractions) that include statements like "the way of the future" or the community from Edward Scissorhands and you will be on tracking with me. These planned "communities" were meant to be places in which family life existed in the quiet context of "leg room" while maintaining the feel of daily interaction with neighbors as they share life together. In a word, suburbia was to be typical of an American uptopia, "The American Dream."

I grew up in one these planned suburb communities. It fit the model of having "leg room" and being quiet, but the community of people, though lovely, were largely unknown. The fences were too high for us to climb, which created a disconnected and isolated environment void of true community.

There is a point behind the geography and negative vibe, which gives way to seeing Christ more clearly. Here it is:
Last week we said goodbye to new friends. They were from our old stomping ground in New Jersey, a college-age group from Greentree Church in Egg Harbor Township, NJ (Kirsten will want you to know that her stomping grounds are NOT south Jersey but Pennsylvania...I am sure you PA people see her point). The group used their spring break to come and serve the Lord instead of heading to the Caribbean for some great sun or home for time with families. They came to serve and give of themselves instead of trying to earn a couple of extra bucks or catch up with their friends and family. The team did a wonderful job. They funded and completed a painting project ffor the housing center, the GLOBE. They also ran a week of VBS in one of the communities in addition to leading worship services and devotions at various locations. We are thankful for their work and are proud of them for the effort, time, and love they have given to the ministry.

The funny thing is this: most of them lived no more than 15 minutes away from where we lived in New Jersey, but we knew only 4 of the 12 before they came. In fact, one of the team leaders, Jason, grew up in my neighborhood, and I never knew it. The "Levittowns" of the world fail because people, in general, are lazy and selfish and do not make the effort to connect (all my fingers are pointing at myself)! However, where William Levitt fails, Christ succeeds! During the first day of the team's visit, Jason and I discovered our commonalities. It was quite funny, as in both funny-"ha-ha" and funny-"strange" because it took a remote town in Jamaica to bring us to a place to meet. And the wonder of it all is that it took a small remote town in Jamaica to bring brothers in Christ together to share in the work of the Kingdom of God! How incredible! The relationships that are formed in the midst of serving God and through the unity of the Holy Spirit are deep and real. This is a common occurrence when teams come, and it also is a beautiful picture of the unity of the Church and a reminder of the surpassing joys we have in Christ. The fellowship, community, that we shared throughout the work of ministry far surpasses the community of Northfield Estates (where I grew up and is neither in Northfield nor are the homes estates). The community of believers is the true community because we are united by Christ who is the source of True Life, which leads to being able to engage in true community.

The Church has several issues because people are involved. However, when we walk by the Spirit and not in the flesh (see Romans 8) we can experience in part what we will know one day in full - true community, centered in and around Christ Jesus, our Lord!

Promise keeping

Last post, we told you about the focus on discipleship that is happening in Buff Bay and said we would keep you updated - promise kept.

It has been almost three weeks since the North Shore Baptist team left, and the groups here are still going strong. Last night we had about 50 people out for the D-groups! For those familiar with the church in Buff Bay, we filled the entire right side of the church. Two Sundays ago we underestimated the number of people attending and ran out of lesson handouts (I think there is a thing or two about having little faith in the Scriptures...)!

It is incredible to see the excitement, joy, and fellowship that is taking place in the church. Moreover a shared ownership and delight in the spiritual life of the church is growing. Please pray with us that this continues! Pray for the lay leaders who are leading discussion groups. Please also pray for grace, understanding, and insight as I try to tailor the lessons to the church.

More posts to come this week - stay tuned!

Who invited March?

The past three weeks have been lightning fast and very tiring yet fantastic. As we had already posted, a team from NYC (joined by some Oregonians, Carolinians, and Jerseyians) served tirelessly with incredible grace for three weeks! Amidst various ministries, the one we are most excited about is a discipleship program that they began. The team led 10 sessions with the Buff Bay church members on a variety of different topics (e.g. the gospel, the local church, family life, giving, prayer to name a few). The church members here have been so incredibly encouraged and blessed by the ministry that they cannot help but talk about the blessings of the team at every opportunity.

We were greatly blessed as well, but what has us so excited is not what happened last week but what is now happening now that the team is gone! The people who participated in the discipleship groups all want to continue to grow in understanding and fellowship. Therefore, Pastor Allen has canceled the normal Sunday evening service and has made Sunday night now the official discipleship night. As we met last night to review, share testimonies, and officially make the transition, there was a great feeling running through the room. The people are really excited about what is happening in the church. North Shore Baptist Church (the church in NYC where most team members worship) is going to help with some preliminary material as we try to manage the groups and leadership for now. I will also be responsible for writing material for the D-groups, which I am excited about. As we move forward, please pray for us as we make these transitions. We are also incredibly grateful to Pastor Ed Moore (from NSBC) and all those that came to serve these past three weeks. Pray with us that we will make it our own here and not try to duplicate what has already been done but rather tailor it to the church of Buff Bay.

We will be sure to keep you posted on the growth, progress, and other ways you can be in prayer for the discipleship groups!