Video Worth Watching: Missional Small Groups
Jonathan Brink posted this video of Matt Carter (from Austin Stone Community Church) earlier this week. Take a look see.
Matt Carter // Missional Small Groups from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.
I really admire the missional movement, and in many ways consider myself a partner in that thread. Too much about how we typically do church is me centered. Unlike the attitude modeled by Jesus, we are constantly concerned about what we get out of it. (On a semi-related thought, check out this post by Brian Jones. My friend Jason Bedell also chimed in on the subject.)
We are on the verge of launching a college ministry at Castle Hills. Our driving force in this launch is engage students in the restorative work of God in this world, not to provide the cool Christian hangout for college students in San Antonio. I will post more on our college ministries philosophy in the future. For now, let me know what you think about “missional small groups”.
missional, video worth watching
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Austin Stone Community Church, Brian Jones, Castle Hills Christian Church, college ministry, Jason Bedell, Jonathan Brink, Matt Carter, missional, small groups, video worth watching
Themocracy
Just found this post through an alert for Austin Stone. I head up the college ministry at the Stone, and would love to talk as you begin planning for your college launch…
@Todd, would love to. I’ll email you later this morning.
Yeah, I understand how having a group meet for the sake of having a group meet falls short of the ideal. I need to keep that in mind with WSU. I’ll be honest though, I like group more than mission. I guess I need to stretch and be stretched some.
@Stuart
i understand what you are saying (and can definitely relate) but in reality, i seem to grow more by the doing than the talking. i love the discussions we have had over the years, but if those don’t translate into motion, they are ultimately useless. there are plenty of people who are more than will to philosophy and banter about theology, but we are called to act and live theology. i think there is something very challenging about a community built on serving, not self edification. (not to mention, it seems very much like the Jesus of the gospels)
I think one of my hangups is that I prefer for motion to take place in the context of relationships instead of absolute strangers, but that’s largely just an issue of comfort I imagine. It still gives me a Kiwanis Club vibe, though. And I struggle with picking something to do just because we’re supposed to versus doing something because we see a need. Idk.
“I prefer for motion to take place in the context of relationships instead of absolute strangers” agreed. but isn’t it possible to be proactive in forming these relationships. let me give an example. i try to give food, water, and sometimes even money to homeless people i encounter. (i know some people think that makes me a sucker, but whatever) my bother knows this guy that goes way further. they were in greenville one night and they saw a homeless guy. my brother’s friend suggested they go talk with the homeless guy. they did, for 30-45 min. during the conversation, they realized the guy was in desperate need of some shoes. they bought him some. apparently, this guy does this kind of stuff frequently. now, will that replace (or even preempt) long-term “naturally” formed relationships? no.
i want to avoid the Kiwanis Club, just because we’re supposed vibe. but we make way to many excuses.
i was recently reading the blog of a good friend of mine, a brilliant guy, whom i really respect. [*cough] [*cough] he wrote fairly extensively about the misuse of certain nt teachings to inflict wealth guilt and provide a hyper-veneration of poverty. what he said was true. and, i’m sure that may be a problem for some people, but in my experiences, i find a lot more people who feel little or no regard for others, let alone the poor. they are instantly defensive when you talk about the needs of others.
as a note, i do believe simplicity (not poverty) and stewardship are virtuous. and you my friend have always been an example of those to me.
Kind words. Thanks for gently prodding me. Finding the right way feels sloppy sometimes.
I probably should spend more time opening up to God about the whole thing. It’s tough wanting to have God’s will my way, hehe.
true, true
I just started watching The Cleaner on A&E and recently watched a documentary about Warren Boyd, the guy the show is based on. He commented that he didn’t really find redemption from drugs until he started redeeming others. It struck me how important that is to the Christian experience, what an integral part of a real Christian life that is. It was fascinating to see this video and hear the story about the small groups and the experience with the international students. It fits that context–being Christ to others, giving life to the small group community.
@Jeff, never really watched the cleaner, but you have peaked my curiosity. good illustration of the potential of this philosophy.
@richard, The Cleaner is very well done, very powerful. I just found the show myself and have been catching up on them through On Demand on cable.
Watch one from this season called The Turtle & The Butterfly with Christine Lahti. It is quite something. The full episode is online at http://www.aetv.com/the-cleaner/video/ (I realize that’s not the optimal viewing experience).
@Jeff, thanks for the suggestion…i’ll check it out this week.