Last week, as I was sitting in my small group, I realized how thankful I am for this community. Our small group is currently reading through Exodus and had just discussed Moses’ encounter with the burning bush. 

“Our participation in our small group since 1993 has been a huge blessing to us.”
—Tom Lehn, at a meeting of the Pastoral Care & Compensation Committee

What a joy I count it that God has blessed Bethlehem with the Shepherd Group ministry! 

I noted in the Star article that I wrote back in August that “living a life in community and on mission is something that can easily get overlooked if I am not careful.” Bethlehem is so large that if I am not prayerful about community life it will get pushed back and other things will begin to take over.

I can remember the hours that Steve Roy and I spent four years ago dreaming and planning and praying about the ministry of home cell groups at Bethlehem. We were captivated by two biblical principles.

The One Another Principle

When and where and how is a church of 1,000 members supposed to fulfill the “one another commandments” of the New Testament?

Last Thursday Noël and I bought a half-price Great American Pizza, picked up some Dr. Diablo, spread our blanket at the northeast end of Lake of the Isles, and made a decision.

Here are the guidelines I promised you last Sunday. The main point of the message was: In order for all the saints (you) to do the work of the ministry as the New Testament teaches (Ephesians 4:11, 12; Hebrews 3:12-14; 10:24, 25; Galatians 6:2; James 5:16), you need to gather regularly in smaller forms of togetherness. Here is what I think should characterize all these various forms.

The Bethlehem Star_August 2012.pdf

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Shepherding the Flock and Building Disciples at Bethlehem.pdf

Approved by the Elders 12/6/11

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, 
in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, 
to care for the church of God, 
which he obtained with his own blood.”
(Acts 20:28) 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . 
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” 
(Matthew 28:19–20) 

Jason Meyer is the candidate for Associate Pastor for Preaching & Vision to be voted upon May 20. Last week we received the following wonderful inquiry:

“My small group has decided to take four Tuesdays (including last night), to fast and pray for our church and its leaders during this transition. I wanted to ask if there are certain things that we should be praying for beyond the obvious.

This Saturday, November 29, we have our second shepherd leader workshop of the year. The interactive workshop is 9:30-11:30am at the North Campus and will focus on equipping your group to share about Jesus with those around them. Pastor Vince Johnson and his team will share and answer questions regarding the role that outreach should play in our small groups.