To Meet or Not to Meet: That is the Question.

But what is the answer?  Over the years of being involved with Life Groups, the inevitable question always arises as the Summer comes along.  "Is our Life Group going to continue meeting during the Summer?"  For years, I automatically assumed that this was a "given" part of small group ministry and set plans accordingly.  I wouldn't push Life Group membership as much, encouraging joining a Life Group until Fall.  "Well, this is a tough time to get involved with a Life Group because many of them stop meeting in the Summer."  If someone was interested in starting a new group or becoming a new Life Group leader, I would usually praise them for taking the initiative and listening to God's calling, but ask them to hold off for a while.  "We have a great leadership training class in the Fall.  Let's shoot for that and touch base toward the end of Summer."  Hopefully, the same passion would be there in September, but by that time school is kicking back into gear and folks plates are full once again for another school year.

Like I said before, Monday is my blog reading time and this week Robert passed on a little gem that got me thinking about how Life Group ministry traditionally functions in the Summer.  After reading it, I had a very humbling revelation about myself and the way I've been thinking:  I've been an IDIOT!  Why is it a given as to why some Life Groups stop meeting in the Summer?  Why do we need a break?  Why do we automatically assume this, and more significantly, is it healthy for the individual Life Groups and the ministry in general?

The answer?  I have no idea!  Do we take Summers of from our family life, careers, friends or anything that we have a deep passion for?  Think about it for a moment.  What are the reasons that we meet together as Life Groups?  What are are the specific accomplishments that we hope to obtain through our meetings?  If you've been leading a group for any amount of time, then these two reasons will look familiar:

1.  Authentic Community - We all long for community.  Life Groups give us an opportunity to be belong to, and build community.  We all need to care for one another and help each other through the ups and downs of life.        

2.  Spiritual Growth - First an foremost, we all need to grow in a healthy relationship with Christ.  Life Groups are a small picture of the Body of Christ, so as we meet together, we grow as we learn and worship God.  We also grow spiritually by serving others and reaching out to those around us as a group.

Think about these two main purposes of a Life Group.  Ask yourself if your group is accomplishing these two areas.  If it's not, then ask yourself why.  Because if these two areas are somehow insignificant to people during the Summer, you really might need to to do some reflecting on why your group meets in the first place. The mission of Gateway doesn't change during the Summer months and it's vision remains clear as well.  As Life group leaders, shouldn't our mission and vision remains the same also?   

Now, am I naive enough to believe that the Summer months are just business as usual?  Not at all.  I have two boys at home with me during the Summer, so I know the harsh realty that comes along with that.  Schedules change, we get busy with Summer activities, vacations get planned, etc.  But what do these things have to do with the meeting of our Life Groups?  In fact, instead of looking at Summer as a time to slow down in our groups, why not look at this as an opportunity?  

An opportunity for what, you ask?  Well, let's look at a few things differently:

1.  Mission - During the school year it's hard enough to reach out to each other, let alone those really in need.  Use the Summer as an opportunity to reach out in your communities.  Kids are not in school, so what an awesome time to get them involved in something outside of the house.  You'll grow more as the Body of Christ by being His hands and feet than anything!

2.  Be Flexible - Just because you continue meeting during the Summer, doesn't mean things can't be more laid back.  Get outside and do some things differently.  Plan dates nights, beach trips, guy night, girl nights or just go out for ice cream as a group.  It really doesn't matter, but do something different!  At the very least, change up your discussion time.  Do a different lesson, study a book of the Bible or just go trough a video series.  You can also start a simple devotional plan where a different person shares a spiritual thought each week and then the group joins in prayer.  

3.  Do Some Planning - Use the Summer for a time to plan out what you want to accomplish once the kids are back in school.  What things to you want to study?  What activities do you want to be part of?  Plan and help each other in developing personal quiet time.  Make some resolutions and help each other be accountable. Also, take some time to see what other leaders are doing with their groups. 

4.  Evaluate - This is a great time to step back and see where everyone is on the spiritual chart.  Is the group accomplishing what it set out to do?  Is the group growing, spiritually and in numbers?  What things worked?  What didn't?  What can we change, do differently or better?  Be honest with each other and most of all, let group members really share what they think.  Listen with an open heart.            

5.  Retreat! - Steve Gladden from Saddleback

6.  Summer Worship Times - Depending on who is in your group, the Summer months could be a great time to just have worship together.  Can someone lead with a brief message?  If not, just have a reading from the Bible or a devotional guide.  Is anyone in your play an instrument?  If not, use CDs.  Think of it as planning your own small group worship service.  What an awesome way to connect with Christ while connecting with each other!
  
When we look at the picture of the early Church, we see communites of belivers meeting toegtehr at every chance they got.  not becasue it was a requirement or burden, but becasue it's all they wanted to do.  It was their life.  They couldn't help joining together regularly.   Acts 2:46 says that "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts"  And we read in Hebrews 10:24-25 where the author encourages the early Church by the challenge to "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."  I'm pretty sure that the point of both of these verses was meant to be considered year round.  

Remember the lyrics to the old song, Summertime?  I think Gershwin wrote it?  I know Chet Baker did an awesome version and Sublime covered it a few years back.  But anyway,"Summertime and the livin's easy,"  Maybe if you're in college!  Life is not any easier in the Summer as it is the rest of the year!  So let's keep meeting!   

Peace & Blessings!