Who Loves Ya, Baby?

By George Antonakos

I'm dating myself, but do you remember what TV character would often speak the quote that makes up the title of this article? (Cue the Jeopardy game show music... ok, time's up). It was "Kojak" in the 70's TV detective series. With his signature lollipop in hand, he would often ask this question of others in many of the show's episodes. The question was somewhat rhetorical in that those addressed were supposed to naturally understand that the answer was none other than the questioner himself.

Jesus did not put the question to us in quite the same vernacular, but in John 15:9 he did say this to his disciples and to us: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." He went on to speak of obedience to his commands as the expression of returning God's love and then spelled out his Great Commandment with mostly monosyllabic words: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

Now quickly - cover up the Mission Statement in the upper left hand corner of this page. Can you quote it from memory? Ok, you can peek. The first and foremost way we can Move People toward Christ is by "being a community of faith which loves... in Christ" all people, but specifically, the people God has called and is calling to be part of our collective sphere of holy influence.

There are many ways to be a Community of Love, but the one I highlight today is our Small Groups Ministry. Those of us laboring as a Small Group Ministry Team here at Central have a vision that more and more people experience the love of God and each other through a meaningful small group experience. (I recently heard from someone that it wasn't until they connected to their current small group that they truly felt a part of the community of faith at Central even though they had been here for years). To this end we are trying harder to connect others into existing small groups as well as trying to encourage the start up of new ones. There is a "connecting table" for both young and older adults each week in the Concourse as one means to help people find a small group if they so desire. If you are relatively new to Central or simply interested in knowing more about Small Group Ministry and how you can connect, then please stop by today.

In early January, we will also begin a new six-week training course for both existing and new small group leaders. There are probably many among us with "shepherding gifts" who are not leading a small group or who have taken a time-out from leading. There may be people who wish to learn more about effective small group leadership for the first time or may wish to brush up on skills. If so, I encourage you to contact our Ministry Team Leader, Richard Ames-Ledbetter to hear more details on this leadership training experience and/or to register.

In the future, as more and more people experience a small group in which they feel accepted, cared for and loved, we will all be able to put at least a few names and faces together if anyone asks us, "Who loves ya, Baby?"