Small Group Ministry: Passion for Community

By Peter Belitsos

Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" offers a graphic, true to the reality, depiction of this pinnacle defining event in all of human history. I was deeply moved and left with renewed appreciation for the word "passion." In the movie, the nature of our Creator in human form is revealed anew: as, no doubt, the most deeply loving, yet humbly majestic, human being who ever lived, passionate beyond description in his allegiance to the Father and to all humanity, for all times.

Knowing that his time was short, Jesus' actions and teachings reached its most passionate, yet most sublime, level in that last week in Jerusalem. In John's account, Jesus last powerful words of prayer for his own "small group" of disciples reveals his deepest desire for true community: "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one." In other words, he reminded his disciples that God in his mysterious triune nature is inherently relational, that we are created in his image, and so we must strive to become so unified in community as to reflect the kind of oneness found in the trinity itself!

So ask yourself, do you indeed strive to honor this last - if you will, dying wish - of our Lord Jesus or, do you still view authentic Christian community as optional? If you aren't already involved, are you prepared to engage yourself in the life-transforming intimacy of a small group, or are you going to continue to reduce your faith to a tidy, once a week "buffet" at church where you only come to be "fed?"

The personal testimonies which you have read in this column over the last several weeks reflects stories of "faith in action." The concept of small groups is deeply rooted in theological truths and in the example of Jesus' own life. He poured every ounce of himself into the hearts and minds of his intimate group of disciples and, through them, changed the world forever. Praise God!