We recently held a workshop for our Network churches focused on our counseling (Redemption Groups) and Community Groups. We thought it’d be great to hear from an on the ground perspective, so we asked Kyle Wetzler from Living Stones Church to capture what he was learning and photos throughout his time there:
Pastor Dave Bruskas’ session
Through his teaching of Ephesians 4, I saw a great line of progression on how through the proclamation of the gospel and through the ground war of Community Groups, the body is built up into maturity. The progression went something like this:
- → Jesus’ gospel is proclaimed,
- → The gospel is received,
- → The gospel mends lives,
- → The gospel equips people to care and serve each other,
- → The gospel brings unity of faith,
- → People gain experiential knowledge of Jesus,
- → The gospel brings about maturity, people start reflecting Jesus.
And the cycle starts over again.
The world we live in is a dizzy bat world. As Ephesians 4 lays out, that there is a tendency to be tossed to and fro by wind of doctrine, that false doctrine is everywhere, we as leaders need to receive and believe the gospel before we can help to stabilize others dizziness.
Truth and love make a powerful epoxy. Without both of these, people will not stick.
Pastor Mike Wilkerson’s session
Pastor Mike started off asking a tough question: “Do we roll up our sleeves and enter into the messiness in life?” This question stuck out to me and still is something I am thinking about and asking other leaders around me.
My favorite part of this session was the ability to break out into cohorts with guys from our team here in Reno and join other leaders from Mars Hill Everett and Mars Hill Olympia and gain wisdom on what it look like to get Redemption Groups off the ground. Whether it was logistical issues, leadership structures, or training issues.
It was comforting to know that there are others in similar boats trying to figure out what’s best to care for and love their church as Jesus has called them to. Between this session and a few conversations with others during breaks and lunch, this was the most beneficial thing. The ability to rub shoulders with others who love Jesus, love their church and want to serve the best way they can. It’s an honor to be able to serve alongside these other men as we strive to make much of Jesus.
Pastor AJ Hamilton’s session
Great simple, practical wisdom. The team I came up with really enjoyed the wisdom and structure he broke down for us. As the church and demands of the ministry grow, it’s important that we don’t take everything on our own, but that we bring others along to help shepherd and lead.
We want to strive to build a Community Group system that best utilizes the gifting and talents of each leader, with a primary emphasis on finding faithful men to invest in, care for, and raise up to become leaders for the church to help care for the growing flock. Frequently I attempt to look around and see who these men are, but Pastor AJ simply threw it to us to ask God to show us who these men are—seems simple but unfortunately easily forgotten about in the midst of ministry.
I need to get better at celebrating at what Jesus is doing. It’s easy for me to put the hand to the plow and push forward, but Pastor AJ encouraged us to celebrate what’s happening in our groups, big or small.
Post-event meeting
I had the opportunity to go out to dinner with [Network Manager] Joe Stengele and [Mars Hill Ballard Lead] Pastor Alex Early and it was great to decompress over a good meal and drink. Great to be able to build relationships, joke around, discuss theology, and build a bond these men who share the same heart in seeing Jesus’ gospel spread.
