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Mega-city Churches 8: Facing up

June 24, 2007

Disciples need to meet if they are going to be built up together. And when they do meet, they need to be able to talk to each other about what builds them up – that is the word that has come from God. And they need to pray for each other, and encourage each other, and bear each others burdens, and teach each other. So now we are getting closer to the problems of mega-city churches.

Large cities usually have serious transport problems. In order for people to meet together they need to travel. And travel is one of the things that tire people in big cities. So there is often a reluctance to make yet another journey. Especially if the journey is over an unfamiliar route.

But a difficulty is not an impossibility. The physical problem of meeting depends in the first place on a desire and intention to meet. Without the decision of the mind and will that meeting with the other brothers and sisters is a core part of being a  disciple, the physical difficulties will be used as excuses to hide the real commitment.

But with the desire and intention, the real physical difficulties need to be overcome. Sometimes they have to be overcome with patience and effort, because most people in big cities do go out, they do go to events and meetings if they want to. But if disciples are to meet regularly they may need some strategy. Obvious strategies are to meet with people who live or work in the same location, or to meet at times when traffic is less of a problem.

Of course Christians are not the only ones affected by traffic. Everyone in the city is. So there is competition for meeting times. The reality is that there is a limit to the number of time slots a person has. There is also a limit to the number of off-peak time slots as well. Which means that disciples are actually making other choices about which meetings or events they will use their time and energy for.

It is easy to adopt a sort of fatalistic approach to this question. But in fact we all have choices and we all make choices. Disciples need to face up to their choices.

Developing strategies for meeting as God’s people is important if the church is to grow in the big city.  But strategies for meeting also imply strategies for multiplying meetings – after all where will the new disciples go when they change their mind and start following Jesus?

Dale

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