Snyder - Transformational Communities

Being Disciples — Making Disciples
Part 2 — Transformational Communities
Bishop Richard D. Snyder

What is a Transformational Community (TC)? The Word of God uses the comparable phrase "One Another" over 50 times. The Scriptures teach that growth in godliness develops in community. Most of the spiritual growth passages in the Epistles are in the plural and spiritual accountability is an essential practice of the transforming Christian life. For example, when John talks about confession of sin (1 John 1:7), he notes that "when we are living in the light…we have fellowship with each other. James goes so far to say "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (5:16). Growth in godliness involves transformation of character. Paul wrote to the Romans, "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think" (12:2 NLT). Transformation and Community cannot be separated. Ajith Fernando, president of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka, wrote: "My observation … has been that all those people whose lives and behaviors have been truly transformed have been a part of a small group that studied the Word and applied it to daily life." Are you an active participant in a cell or small group that encourages each other and practices loving accountabilities, resulting in transformed lives?

At the core of an effective TC are five principles of study and practice which can never be set aside if we are to live in a true Transformational Community.

I. GODLY COMPETENCE: It is essential that we, together, form an organizational environment which encourages all its members to develop and grow in biblical goals and purposes (see 2 Peter 1:3-8). Godliness and competence cannot progress in full and healthy ways outside of interaction with other Christians, "Iron sharpens iron."

†- 3, G-12 and small group leaders, pastors, district leaders, superintendents and bishops must always be alert to providing an environment which helps people lead enriching and productive lives. Therefore, we keep before us the questions: What does the preferred future we long for — personally and corporately — actually look like? What are the measurable goals in place which draw us toward this preferred future? What specific strategies are we actually implementing which lead to spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health in us and in our TC? Can the members of the group observe growth in Christlike integrity in the lives of the participants?

Godly Competence does not just happen. Discipline is required — "make every effort …" (2 Peter 1:5). This discipline centers on two functions which require regular and conscious reinforcement — personally and in community:

a) CLARIFY: What is important?

There is power in vision. God's vision has never been set aside and for thousands of years it has been steadily unfolding. "And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). Can you picture this? It is easy to get bogged down in the problems that we and others have created. We can get so sidetracked that we actually forget why we are here. This is why many churches have seen no one come to faith in Christ in several months or even years. It also explains why many longtime church members are indifferent about church and life.

Our vision must become our calling and it must determine how we live. Why does the church exist? Why do we exist?

What must we learn; what must we change; what must we do to expand our ability to produce the results God has called us to produce? "I appointed you," said Jesus, "to go and produce fruit that will last" (John 15:16 NLT).

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

b) CLARIFY: What is reality?

We can't get "there" if we do not know where we are now. We must tell the truth about ourselves and about our church community. Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline wrote about truth telling: "It means a relentless willingness to root out the ways we limit or deceive ourselves from seeing what is, and to continually challenge our theories of why things are the way they are."

A Christian or a church that is not growing, not experiencing Transformational Community (TC), not seeing ONE MORE SOUL saved from a life of sin, is not a "healthy, biblical community of holy people." Why? What are the barriers? Where is the unconfessed sin? Where are the unproductive practices, habits, structures and/or traditions that obstruct the free work of the Holy Spirit? We need to keep asking the hard questions of ourselves and of our community, practicing a brutal (not pompous) honesty.

As a church leader who prays and works to keep the vision clear, what are you doing to reveal the truth about enhancements and obstructions to the vision? Leaders must tenaciously model reality in their personal walk with God and in their function with the community of believers.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?
WHAT IS REALITY?

GOAL ONE: ENCOURAGE GODLY COMPETENCE
II. SHARED OBJECTIVES: There cannot be Transformational Community without group commitment. However, when a TC commits to objectives they have hammered out together and implemented, that group cannot be stopped. Why? Because a shared objective helps us stay focused, provides inspiration for the task, enables us to overcome pettiness, fosters risk-taking and helps build long-term commitment.

If the objective (vision, goals, plans, hopes) for the future is from God (if you or the church can accomplish the objective without God, it is not from God), it will motivate you and all who join you to learn, study, think and wrestle with what is important and what is true. Are the people you serve committed to the vision or objective? If not, why not? Churches filled with uncommitted people are churches with small ideas and puny objectives. A pattern of doing the same old thing in the same old way does not produce commitment, does not raise resources and does not create TC. We may get compliance to certain things but this rarely produces the effort needed to go and produce fruit.

If TC is literally functioning, vision and objectives will bubble up from the community itself. Leaders do not necessarily produce the community's objectives, though they participate in their formation. Primarily, leaders serve to develop an environment that encourages faith, creative thinking and team action. They serve as coaches and mentors, keeping healthy accountabilities and systems in place to assure implementation of shared objectives. A Transformational Community literally practices Ephesians 5:21, "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Transformational Communities function in the middle of the River of Life which flows from the Throne of God. Self-interest is set aside (crucified) and is replaced by a passionate desire to see the Name of Jesus praised; Jesus' words, "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you" is intentionally practiced (John 15:12, 17 NLT); and compassion for ONE MORE SOUL has arrested the imagination and motivated to action.

GOAL TWO: EMBRACE SHARED OBJECTIVES
III. COMMUNITY LEARNING: (study Philippians 2:1-4)
"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. ... Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."

We have a lot to learn from each another. The sum of the whole is greater than its parts (synergy). When one or two people dominate a discussion, the intelligence goes down. When interaction is free and the attitude of the community is healthy, the intelligence improves. "Don't think only about your own interests, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing" (Philippians 2:4).

One of the great disciplines for us to learn is how to work together in local, district, conference and denominational settings. This requires reality conversation, speaking the truth in love. Each person must be willing to have his/her assumptions and ideas questioned and even challenged. TRUTH is the goal. In a healthy TC we see each other as peers — titles stripped away — every member valuable. Each person recognizes that the visions, hopes and dreams of others in the group are as valuable or more so than his/her own. So, in a TC each person sees the others as friends and colleagues. "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you" (Philippians 2:14 NLT).

GOAL THREE: PRACTICE COMMUNITY LEARNING
IV. POWERFUL PICTURES: When you think of a family at its best, what pictures come to mind? When you consider an incredible friendship, what mental models emerge? Think about your city, your neighborhood, and your local church. Then, think about the plan of God that "at the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ." What does that look like?

We begin to realize shared objectives when we begin to relate the stories (Powerful Pictures) that illustrate "everything together under the authority of Christ."

What is a church like where stories are told of members helping the poor and disenfranchised; stories of ONE MORE SOUL coming to Jesus; stories of marriages being restored to life; stories of people being healed from disease; stories of victory over addictions; stories of resolve and victory in the middle of sorrow and hardship? These are Transformational Communities! These are communities of miraculous expectation!

Some may say, "We have no stories like this." In fact, in some places the only stories heard are filled with grumbling and complaint. This is the problem. Every true church has some Powerful Pictures. These are the stories to tell. They will inspire and generate more powerful pictures, creating WAVES of joy and reaching WAVES of people.

GOAL FOUR: PROCLAIM POWERFUL PICTURES
V. IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMS: The Bible says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." The human body is complex involving such things as a nervous system and a circulatory system. The medical profession studies, researches, debates and works hard to gain understanding of these systems. The soul is more complex than the body. What are the forces and interrelationships that shape us? The TC refuses to expect or demand simple answers to complex problems like the Western culture around us tends to do. Rather, through study of the Word of God, the communities where we serve and our cultural environment, we prayerfully prepare systems of thinking and acting that insist on good process. For example, Jesus told us to "go and make disciples of all nations …" (Matthew 28:19). What systems are you implementing to most thoroughly and productively respond to this command? Jesus told us to "love God … and to love others as we love ourselves." What systems are you developing which encourage and keep you and the church accountable in this essential behavior?

Transformational Community, making disciples and loving God and people do not just happen. God created systems and through them He is working the process toward the final consummation of all things in Christ. We, too, must develop and implement systems that take us steadily forward, producing a healthy, biblical community of holy people who are multiplying disciples, leaders, groups and churches.

He has given to us "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" promising, "Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven" (Matthew 10:19 NLT).

GOAL FIVE: IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS
Summary:
We are in this ministry together. One of the most important things we do is interact together in the presence of God. Everyone is important. Learning together, Encouraging one another, being Accountable to one another and Dreaming together around the heart of the Father will enable us to design systems that help fulfill His objectives. Every gift from God is needed — locally, on the district, in the conference, and throughout the world.

We are chosen by God to be disciples and to make disciples; to know God and to make Him known. It will take all we are and all we have. And, it will require:
- Godly Competence
- Shared Objectives
- Community Learning
- Powerful Pictures
- Implemented Systems.