You Need Community

When I was in full time youth ministry I was a part of a small fellowship of youth workers in our area. We met about every six weeks to encourage each other, pray for one another, and at times plan events together. I really enjoyed it, but we always faced a struggle. We really only had about five churches that were committed to the gathering. We invited others by word-of-mouth and email. Our events were in neutral territory and each church owned part of it. So why is it that youth workers—who are often under-appreciated, under-encouraged, and under-mentored—won’t commit to a regular gathering of like-minded youth workers? 

 

Well, I think it’s time we drop our egos at the door and get over ourselves a bit. We need each other! Our ministry will be stronger when we’re working together! The kingdom of God will be enhanced by our fellowship and partnership! If we have fear that our students will leave for somebody else’s ministry, then we need to trust God more. If it’s jealousy of other people’s ministries that is keeping us away, then we need to confess it and move on.

 

Now living in Cape Town, I’ve been invited into a “pastors fraternal,” even though I’m not really a pastor. It’s basically a regular gathering of pastors and ministry leaders in our area that meets EVERY Thursday morning for two hours. We eat together, pray for one another, the host that day shares a devotion that we discuss, and we work on ministry things that we are doing together. This fraternal has been a major blessing to all involved. It’s modeling for our people what community really looks like. And the group is diverse. In South Africa there are three major communities: black, colored, and white. All three communities are represented in our group, along with two Americans and a Zimbabwean. The youngest pastor is 26 and the oldest is probably close to 60. And there is a vast array of theological and denominational backgrounds. But none of that keeps us separated from each other. We need each other and are seeing the benefits of the partnership. Large community events are better attended because the fraternal is united. Churches are sharing preaching duties, resources, and having joint services. One of the best parts is that outreach attempts are focused on people knowing Jesus, not lifting up the name of our own church. 

 

I want to encourage you to be a part of this happening in your own community. PDYM offers community groups that you could use as a springboard to a more regular gathering. From time to time you may even get resources from them to help with your group. Use them to find a group to join or start a new one. Just get something going! Call the workers at the 7-10 churches closer to you, regardless of size and denomination, and start meeting. I know that God will bless your time together and your modeling of community.

 

Casey Prince served as the director of high school ministries at Grace Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, for seven years. His family now lives in Cape Town where they have started Ubuntu Sports Outreach. You can learn more at www.ubuntusports.org.