Action Step: Group Work
Jesus told us to work together. It's effective! (Even when it seems inefficient...)
I’m a day late, but here is the last brief instalment on the “May is for Mission” front. A call to action of sorts, if you will.
I have always had a certain distaste for group work. An early dislike for sharing my disproportionately large efforts with school classmates has matured into a fear of committees. The word “committee” itself inspires a grimace. Do committees get anything done? I’ve been on a few, and by some naïve ignorance, I continue to sign up for committees, councils, working groups, etc. Each time, I think: “in this context and with these people we will accomplish a lot.” Each time, I marvel at our collective inefficiency when reality strikes.
Still, I recognize that committees and boards have their place. The larger the organization, the greater the need for accountability, bureaucracy, and slow and careful change, even if they are vastly inefficient.
I was reflecting on how Jesus commissioned His disciples to share the Gospel “two by two” (Mark 6:7). He had 12 disciples; He could have sent them to 12 different concurrent destinations. He sent them to six, instead. Half the ears heard. You could argue this wasn’t very efficient. Not only did He ask them to rely on a buddy system when He sent them out, He also asked them to rely on the hospitality of others to enable their ministry (Mark 6:8-10).
It's obvious Jesus wanted us to work together to share His message and love. One voice is corroborated by a second. There is co-encouragement and accountability inherent in relationships. Community and relationship are central to Christianity, so any missionary of Christ should model healthy community to others. Doubling up might be less efficient, but it is more effective.
I thought back on my own past “ministry” efforts (the word ministry is in quotation marks because I’m talking about informal or new things I’ve begun beyond established organizations and systems). Each involved finding a buddy before setting out. Two concrete examples:
I felt alone as a Christian within my faculty at university. I intentionally found a few Christian friends, first. Then, some of us attended a conference together. Lastly, we formalized an effort to co-lead a “club” which allowed us to lead Bible studies and prayer meetings on campus together. This connected us to many more like-minded individuals so we could all encourage each other.
My roommate and I co-led a Bible study in our home for a while. I wouldn’t have been likely to have started that without her.
I am often tempted to set out alone. In some sense, I know I am always inherently interconnected with and accountable to Christ and the Church. But, when it comes to any single effort at fulfilling the mission Jesus has commissioned me for according to my unique gifts, talents, and passions, I ought to pause and reflect on how I embrace co-participating with others in that unique mission, as I am convinced Jesus intended. Care to reflect along with me?
1) Do I have Christian community and relationships in the first place? It’s hard to set out with a buddy and a shared mission/vision if I’m on my own living my faith in the world. Step one is always finding other Christians.
2) Which Christian communities/friendships do I already have in my life? What is their charism/mission?
a. For example: Family. If my family shares my faith, have we talked about how we wish to serve others together and share the Gospel? How? (Hospitality? Modelling our faith to our children? Co-participating in service projects? Donating our resources?) Some of these things happen naturally, but discussing it as a family occasionally to formalize a family mission statement or plan couldn’t hurt.
b. For example: Church. Do we show up only to receive, or do we understand our call to be sent forth? How can we work together with our brothers and sisters in our parish or church to do that? I grew up in a Protestant culture where my church often formulated a “mission statement”. Our universal Christian mission is already clear. However, something like a mission statement could help recognize the unique character of a parish and inspire its parishioners to work together to use their collective gifts.
3) What “call” or special ministry or ministries has the Lord placed on my heart? Who can I work alongside who also shares that call?
Side-note: I feel convicted. Here I am, blogging alone on the internet. Sometimes a ministry partner doesn’t obviously come to mind. When we feel like there’s no one to work alongside, we pray, trust, and inquire. I’m working through that process slowly.
So, let’s get to work establishing our buddy systems. It’s harder to go alone in the long run.