Josh Hatcher's Blog

We're getting ready to launch our second generation of G-12 Groups. I know it seems like it's taking forever to get everyone plugged into a group. And we're certainly not going to be able to reach everyone this time around, but next time, as each of these group members start groups, it will be huge. Thanks for your patience as we try to establish the foundation of our G-12 ministry, which will, ultimately, change this entire region, of not more.

But since we're getting things moving, let's take a minute to reflect on Community, and "sharing life".



Community: according to Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: com·mu·ni·ty Pronunciation: k&-'myü-n&-tEFunction: nounInflected Form(s): plural -tiesUsage: often attributiveEtymology: Middle English comunete, from Middle French comuneté, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis1 : a unified body of individuals: as a : STATE, COMMONWEALTH b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society e : a group linked by a common policy f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society 2 : society at large3 a : joint ownership or participation b : common character : LIKENESS c : social activity : FELLOWSHIP d : a social state or condition



Community: according to Acts 2

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.



You know, I've been in small groups before. And while they were nice, I always felt like the odd man out. I even led a group for awhile. Talk about uncomfortable: leading people who had been Christians so much longer than me....

But what those groups became is just a "Bible Study".. we met once a week. We ate a snack... we prayed for the bunions on grandmother's toes.

to be honest, it stunk.


That's not what the G-12 is. While we'll study the Bible, and pray together (maybe evenGrandmother'sher's Bunions) and we'll certainly eat, these groups are meant to be so much more. If you're in a G-12, you're not just getting together with friends once a week.

You're adding members to your family. You're hooking up with people you to whom you can share your struggles and your secrets.

People who will be there when your car breaks down. People who will need you to get them through dark and lonely times. People who you can call in the middle of the night when you're at the end of your rope. People you can invite to your kid's birthday party.

People to Break Bread with. People to sing songs with.


That's the heart of G-12. AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY.

And the heart of Open Arms is the G-12. Because Open Arms is not about the building on East Main Street. It's about US. It's about you and me, and you neighbor, and your cousin, and the people with whom you are organically connected, sharing life together.

Not in a G-12 yet? Send me an email, we'll see if we can get you plugged in.