Living in Community

Almost a week ago to the day, I met together with a house full of leaders to talk about "it".

"IT" started several months ago when I read a book by that title, written by Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of lifechurch.tv. I was deeply challenged by the main thrust of the book, to be a person who is captivated by the ONE thing God has called you to do and as a result to be a part of a ministry that is captivated by the one thing God has called us to do together. The book challenges us to personally examine our own lives and to make sure that we first have "it" before we try to be a church that has "it".

So, how do we get "it"?

The author pointed out that "it" comes from God and from Him alone. Basically it is born out of a vibrant relationship with the Father.

So the question I had to ask myself, do I have it? When I examined myself I had to answer honestly, no.

I have not had that kind of passion in my life for several years now.

At this point don't get me wrong, I love God and have, for the most part served Him faithfully. But I did not have "it".

I have purposed in my heart to seek the Lord and "Return again to my first love", sharing the Gospel in an intentional way. This summer I am going to be starting a community group that will study evangelism and then go out and do what we have learned. For me, that is returning to my first love.

What things in your life are you passionate about but have hidden on the shelves of your life? Don't let another moment pass you by. Right now, stop. Pick up a piece of paper and purpose in your heart what you are going to start doing again, then write it down and do it. Make a plan and follow through. Your relationship with God depends on it. This is an emergency. Don't let one more minute go by without making a plan with God for what you are going to change in your life... DO IT NOW!!!

Now that you are back, I want to share with you one thing that we learned as a group when we studied this book together. We are in full agreement that God is calling Southside to be a group of believers who Live in Community.

This is one of the main reasons we are starting community groups. These groups are going to be another place for us to live, serve, share, evangelize, make friends, get healing, grow, talk, listen, and Live in Community together.

I am thrilled to see the direction that God is leading Southside and to see “it“ cropping up in different areas of the ministry!

I am fired up about the growth that God wants to have happen in you and in me as we live in community together.

Consumed with Him,

Pastor Willy

P.S. Thank you to everyone who shared in the online poll to help us in planning Community Groups for the summer. I highly value your input! As you probably know over 40% of you voted for "something else" and after much thought and council we are considering offering a group on how to handle your money. In these tough economic times we know that folks are hurting and this may be just what people need at the moment to help them make their dollars stretch. If you are interested in this kind of group, would you let us know by voting on the poll at the top, right of this page? Onward!