Well, Summer is officially here, and as we all recover from another Memorial Day Weekend and get back into the work routine, some of us are probably already making plans for vacations, the beach and if you're like me, avoiding hearing that dreaded phrase from your kids, "I'm bored!" Being primarily a stay at home dad right now, Summer is when the real work begins for me. Finding time for myself is a rare occurrence, and until my wife comes home to begin her shift, my Summers are basically about keeping two boys busy, and from killing each other. This time of year is about scheduling and being slightly more of a type B personality, this is a time when my anxiety level shoots up just a bit. I HATE schedules!
This is also the time of year that I start asking myself, "How am I going to fit all of my ministry activities into the Summer schedule?" This was even more difficult when I was serving on a church staff, but after spending some time with God and meditating on what is really important, the question eventually becomes irrelevant. When God calls us to serve Him, especially within Life Group ministry, we really don't have a choice when it comes to scheduling time to for what needs to be done, right? And this is why I'm not a big fan of Life Groups taking time off during the Summer. I know! I know! But here me out!
First of all, your Life Group is YOUR ministry and you are free to make the decisions based on what is best for your group and the people who are part of your community. I've always been an advocate of Life Group leaders having a huge amount of freedom in the direction they choose to take with their ministry. But what if I could convince you that taking a Summer vacation was not the best option for your personal spiritual health and your group in general?
Here's 10 reasons why Life Groups should meet during the Summer.
1. The Days are Longer: Does this mean that you need to meet longer? Of course not, but it does give you a little more flexibility with the schedule and a huge amount of stress is taken off when you're not watching the clock.
2. Kids are Out of School: Let's face it, we all give the kiddos a little grace when it comes to bedtime during the Summer months. And coinciding with #1, they can play outside instead of spreading terror throughout the house!
3. Ask Yourself "Why?": Seriously. Why do you need to take a break from something that only builds community and helps everyone grow spiritually? Is Christian community really something that we need time to get away from? And think about this as well: Satan doesn't take a break for Summer! Just sayin'.
4. Visitors Still Come to Church: Summer months are a great time to get new people involved in the ministries of Gateway. What happens to the people who really want to get plugged in during June and July? Do we just tell them, "You know, Summer is just a bad time to get involved. Check back at the end of August." Come one! We still need to make every attempt to keep as many options open as possible. What better time to build community for new members than Summer, when things are usually a little more laid back?
5. Summer if Full of Activities: Think of all the cool things that you can organize to do with your Life Group! Plan going to concerts together, the beach, parks or just going out and getting ice cream. Try making a list of potential "outside" Life Group get togethers.
6. It's the Time of the Season: Most people are just more prone to doing things in the Summer. People like getting out of the house and enjoying the warm weather, so take advantage of what Mother's Nature gives you during the Summer months. Most people are open to getting together in the Summer time.
7. Serving Your Community: The Summer is a great time to get together as a group and serve the communities around you. Everyone has yard work to do and some folks can't handle the hotter temperatures; especially the elderly. Imagine the impact if your group took this load off someone's shoulders every week during the Summer! And while were on this topic, let's make sure that we all pray that we won't have hurricane recovery volunteer opportunities this year!
8. Celebrations: As we just finished celebrating Memorial Day, think of all the great opportunities to celebrate as a Life Group. The 4th of July, Labor Day and the Kemah Waterfront has fireworks every Friday in June! Celebrate and have fun together!
9. People Don't Show up: Yes! Some people just can't make it in the Summer months. But this could be a good thing for your Life Group. The smaller number of those making it to Life Group meetings can be a great opportunity to get to know each other in a more intimate setting. The potential for a quieter setting is a great time for some quieter folks to share more during meetings. The disadvantage can actually be a good thing!
10. Keep the Rhythm Going: We're creatures of habit, but we also get "out" of habits very easily. Taking 2 months off from meeting makes it very easy to fill the weekly calendar with other regular activities. Why create the potential of loosing the healthy spiritual rhythm that your group may have built over the year?
If you're planning a break during the Summer, at least spend some time in prayer and consider continuing meeting. Share these ideas with your group and see what the consensus is. If you still need a break, go ahead and break! No worries! God might be urging you to take some time off. But if you have a successful and healthy group, why deprive each other of community for 2 months? Why dismember your small Body of Christ, when it has the opportunity to show people the Kingdom of God; even with humidity and mosquitoes? Just add lots of cold drinks a bug spray to the planning!
Adapted from an article by Jay Firebaugh, Director of Small Groups at New Life Church in
Gahanna, Ohio.
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