"W" #7: Branching Out

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

The previous post in this series was all about the exponential benefits of leaders who reproduce themselves. The reality is that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of groups just waiting to be formed. All we need are leaders who are willing to step up and take the lead. In fact, I have a theory that many of our groups are full of would-be-leaders who just need a word of affirmation, or a gentle kick in the pants, to stand up and take a step toward leading a group of their own. Leaders reproducing leaders, therefore, is a win that leads to another win, and that’s when these new leaders branch out to form a group of their own.

Q: Faith and Science

Contributed by:
Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor

For many people, science and faith represent two opposite ends of a spectrum, and you can only choose one or the other. Is it possible that science and faith are not necessarily at odds, though? Rather than rejecting God -his existence and the truth that he's revealed to us - could science, instead, somehow support that he is real and is up to something absolutely amazing?

"W" #6: Leaders Reproducing Leaders

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

Someone once told me I could make quite a healthy sum of money, with very little effort, by simply starting my own business. That's only the first part of it. To make it really easy, and lucrative, I have to get other people to sign up and start their own businesses under mine. You've probably heard about these - they're called pyramid schemes. Have you ever considered that Jesus was a master at the pyramid scheme?

"W" #4: LIFE Together

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

In 1939, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a book called Life Together. In the book, he explored the gap between the body of Christ as it was described in the book of Acts, which he called a "community of love," and the way it looks to the modern world around us. Nowadays, you can't hardly read a church website or brochure on their small group ministry without seeing these words used together in some fashion. Doing life together. Experiencing life together. Serving life... together. At Pathway, we're no different. If you've done any snooping around, you know that we say our life groups are where we can pursue LIFE together. But here's why our use of the phrase is a little unique (and so much cooler than everyone else's)....

"W" #10: Simple, Smooth, Successful Connection

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

My wife and I were treated to a "date night" this past Friday, which included a meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse. Apparently, it's everyone's favorite restaurant, and when we arrived at 6:40ish the wait was pushin' near an hour. As we crowded into the overflowing waiting area, the thought occurred to me, I don't care how good their food is, I don't think I can wait that long. Thankfully we didn't have to; we were saved by the splendor that is "call-ahead-seating." Instead of waiting an hour for our table, we waited fifteen minutes. The date was huge success.

"W" #12: Return Costumers

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

I remember several years ago I heard a guy say something that I thought was pretty weird. This was an older man that I was in ministry with at the time, and he was known for being kind of a rascal. I forget the context of the comment, and even the exact wording, but somehow the subject of marriage had come up. Now, this guy was married to a sweet woman, and there were some who generally regarded her with a mild sense of pity for the way her evangelist husband would drag her around from this place to that - all in the name of ministry. As we were talking about marriage, on this particular occasion, at some point he added that if anything ever happened to his dear wife, he would just have to get married again. Keep in mind, she was standing right next to him, and was privy to all that was being said. I actually thought it was pretty insensitive, but he was trying to make a point. His intention with that comment was to say that marriage had been such a good experience, he'd readily jump right back into it again if given the chance.

"W" #14: Sharing the Shout-Outs

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

Have you ever been moved by a story? Amanda and I watched the movie Secretariat the other night, and we were inspired. I mean, I've never cared much about race horses, but now I want to be one! It was that inspiring! But seriously, there's just something about that story--in which a house wife is forced to take bold business risks in a time and industry dominated by men, placing her family's future on a horse that was passed over by the experts--that inspires us to follow our hopes and dreams. And part of what makes that story so powerful is that it's true.

"W" #1: Consistent Meetings

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

I'm passionate about groups. I seriously get jazzed about community. And jazzed isn't a word I use too often. I love to see people come together in community, strengthened by the relational ties of fellow Christ followers who care for one another practically, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the greatest disappointments for me, however, is when a group fizzles before ever having the chance to experience the "goods" that group life is supposed to offer. I honestly believe that too few groups have a chance of getting there because they lack a critical component: consistency.

"W" #5: Accountability

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

A few weeks ago I began to work through a list of what I'm calling the "wins" for our life groups at PCC. These "wins" are the things, as Reggie Joiner says, that we celebrate as we see them happening in our groups. And this series of posts is designed to clarify those "wins" for our groups. Here's this week's "W": Accountability.

"W" #9: Outward Focused

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

A couple of weeks ago I started a series of posts in which we're taking a look at the "wins" of a life group at PCC. I've made a list, and I'm making my way through it at random. Here's today's "W": when your group maintains an outward focus.

"W" #2: All In!

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

A while back I read a book that talked about the importance of "clarifying the win." Over the years, I've been thinking about that. What's a win look like for our groups? In other words, what are the things that mark a successful group? As I thought about this, I jotted down a list of things that I would consider wins for our life groups. Over the next several weeks, I'd like to reveal those to you - in no particular order.

Stepping Out: Part 4

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

The month of November flew by, as we were caught up in the rush of Life on Purpose, and then thrown into the mix of holiday madness. Now that Life on Purpose is officially behind us, however, I wanted to offer a conclusion to the Stepping Out series, and share a few things I learned as my wife and I stepped up to host a group in our neighborhood this fall.

Stepping Out: Part 3

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

As we've been anticipating our church-wide spiritual growth campaign, Life on Purpose, Amanda and I decided to host a new group in our home. If you haven't done so already, check out Part 1 and Part 2. I've shared about the fact that this was a little outside our comfort zone... but it has already proven to be a real blessing.

Stepping Out: Part 2

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

Tonight we took the next step toward starting our Life on Purpose group for our neighbors. For a couple of weeks, now, we've had the invitation cards sitting around. A few days ago we actually finished filling them out with our group information. And after putting it off longer than we should have, we finally walked door to door and talked to the neighbors we had felt should be invited to our group.

Signs of Life part 4: Mission Engaged

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

It's crazy how quickly the time flies. Just the other week I shared with my wife how shockingly fast a year goes by anymore. So it really comes as no surprise that it's been almost eight months since I started this series of posts that talk about our value structure at PCC. Well, now is when I make good on the promise of finishing that series.

Stepping Out: Part 1

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

Well, this is somewhat of an unusual post for my blog. Usually, I try to write something that will bring depth to a concept, or provide practical insight to another concept. Occasionally I'll even post something that links to another blog that's loaded with even more depth and insight. This post, on the other hand - or possibly even a series of posts - will be more of a chronicle of sorts that records some our thoughts and experiences as Amanda and I attempt to step outside of our comfort zones a little.

Signs of Life part 3: the partnership

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

A few weeks ago I started a series of posts in which I'm taking a closer look at the values of PCC. We call them the four vital signs of life because we believe these are the four things that characterize a genuine and growing Christ-follower. So far we've look at the first two: living a transformed life, and included in authentic community. Make sure you check those out if you haven't done so already.

Weekend Reflection: The Lord is My Shepherd

Contributed by:

Eric Dunaway

small groups pastor

This past weekend, Ron challenged us with a message out of the 23rd Psalm that reminded us that God's still in control even though my world feels out of control. When our world feels out of control, how can we rest in the assurance that God is in control? As I listened to his message, I jotted down just a few things that I think would be great for you to take back to your group for further discussion.

Reflect together on Psalm 23

1. What are some things that have happened recently that have reminded you how little control you have in this life? How have these things impacted your experience with God?

2. How well do you know God? What images come to mind when you think of God? In what areas do you think God might be urging you toward growth?

Reflect on this quote together, and discuss what this means for you:
Never trade what you don't know for what you do know. 

How did this message impact you? What steps do you feel God leading you to take in light of this message? How can your group encourage one another to follow through and take those steps?

Did you miss the message this weekend? Check out the podcast.

Questions, thoughts, or suggestions for further discussion? Post a comment!

New Resources to Continue Bringing the Love

Contributed by:

Eric Dunaway

small groups pastor

This past weekend at PCC we closed out a series that challenged us to be the church, and to bring the love to the hungry, the orphan, the poor and our neighbor. We saw a powerful response in the body as we explored each of these things. But as we said last weekend, God isn't finished with us. Bringing the love to those in need around and the world and across the street isn't a five week series, a campaign or the pet project of a compassionate pastor. Bring the love is an ongoing call to be the church as God has called us to love him and love others.

One way we can continue this journey of exploring what this means for us as individuals and as the body of Christ, is to continue the conversations at home and in our Journey Groups. Here are a couple of resources to consider for your group that will challenge your socks off:

Crazy Love 
by Francis Chan

My group is more than half-way through this study, and it has sparked a lot of challenging discussion. It will compel you and your group to consider things like how you view God, is your love of God lukewarm, what does it mean to love God and what does salvation really look like?

The book is an easy read. 10 chapters that you discuss together - one chapter per session. There is also a DVD that features the author himself teaching for 6-8 minutes on each of the chapters. Following the video, Francis leaves you with two or three questions that will spur 45-60 minutes of deep discussion.

Learn more about this resource by visiting:
www.crazylovebook.com/

The Hole in Our Gospel 
by Richard Stearns

Several months before our pastor, Ron Williams, started the series Bring the Love, he handed me a copy of this book. As I read it, God began a work in me that has ruined my perspective on my possessions, my resources, and my role in the Kingdom... it's still ruining me, today. The book is about Richard's journey to faith, and his call to become the president of World Vision. It is also his challenge to the American Church to stop neglecting the parts of the Gospel that teach on caring for the hungry, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the destitute, and the oppressed. His stories and experiences will devastate you with the reality of atrocities that are happening all over the world - and his message will challenge you to do more than just look the other way. Rich's hope is not that we will just give more, or do more... but that our hearts will break for the things that break the heart of God.

The Hole in Our Gospel is now available in a format that is ideal for small groups, and it's called the Gospel Quest. As I write this, I haven't yet had the chance to review this material. But I know that it is a six session study that includes a DVD, and is directly tied to the book. I'm confident that it will be an excellent resource for any group that is looking to continue the journey of bringing the love.

You can learn more about Gospel Quest by visiting:
www.thegospelquest.com/

Part of the journey is continuing the conversation, and that's what these resources will enable you to do in very intentional ways. But as we said last weekend, we're not called to just talk about these things but to do something about it. Each one of us can do something. What will you and your group do to make a difference in this world together?