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Why Three is Enough Groups…Why Now?
Against the backdrop in the sociology page, there is an opportunity to articulate a fresh vision for what it means to be a Christian. I suggest the following four phrases to shape our imaginations:
- Cooperative Friends of Jesus
- Living consistent Lives of Creative Goodness
- Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
- For the Sake of Others
Second, the time is ripe for a fresh approach to spiritual formation—one that orients itself to the natural and normal; one based in real life. If we can connect spiritual formation to “otheryness”, that potent combination will make a substantial contribution to healing the image problem of Christianity and will thus facilitate authentic relationally sound evangelism. TiE rescues evangelism out of the program category and relocates it back in the natural context of spiritual formation through three simple and doable activities which facilitate the journey inward and the journey outward:
- Pray to be alert to the Spirit’s leadership and guidance; pay attention to the people and events of your life; pray for Spirit-power that enables you to be an ambassador of the Kingdom in the routines of your life; and pray for the ability to do so for the good of others.
- Grow by reading that facilitates the journey inward and the journey outward, by meditating on the things the Spirit highlights in your reading; and by discussing your reading with your TiE Group once a week over coffee, lunch or after work.
- Serve others by being alert, by noticing others; through creative, resourceful and inventive help for others; being humble, gentle, generous and genuinely altruistic—no attention drawn to you or your TiE Group. God’s purpose for you is that you are his cooperative friend–serving others—the least, the last, the broken and the missing—in the everyday affairs and rhythms of your life.
