Nobody stands alone. What a great concept. I'm reading a book right now that talks about the concept of community, and the author's church has a policy...nobody stands alone. It's a literal policy and a figurative policy. Literally, they make sure that no one is left out of conversation and all people are made to feel connected at church. Figuratively, it's their philosophy to walk along side of people and ensure the concept of community through relationships, small groups, etc.
The book states, "If churches do not help connect people into the community of Christ in meaningful ways, then we have failed in the full ministry of [restoring authentic relationship] that the Lord has entrusted to us."
It's not our job...it's our ministry to make sure that nobody stands alone.
We need to embrace this now in the Core Team phase before we ever launch Journey to the public. We must engage each other now...not later.
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(Disclaimer: this is not meant to bash Christian based schools in any way. It is to shed light on not being comfortable in surrounding yourself with only those who are like you.)
How ironic the thoughts you posted "Nobody stands alone". Today a friend told me of a woman concerned that my friend had made a poor decision by pulling her children from the private Catholic school they attended. They will be sending their children to the local public school. The woman's main concern was that her own daughter was unhappy in public schools because she could not talk about Jesus. To this I ask, is just saying His name enough? I don't think so. I think to be able to talk about Jesus, one has to want to live like Jesus and be with people who don't know him. Most likely, the Jesus others will come to know is the Jesus in you, the beacon of light making sure they are not standing alone. Once those who don't know Him feel the warmth of the light, then they may be ready to hear about the source of your light. So, let us not be afraid to step out of being a comfortable "Christian" into the world of letting no one stand alone. In the beginning, that is with each other. Face it, we all know what that alone thing feels like, and frankly it is lonely.
Also know that Christian schools are a great option for many and do a lot of good.
As stated in the disclaimer, my statement was not meant to pen Christian schools against public. Our family has personally experienced both and there are benefits in both. The point was in the woman thinking that my friend's children would be in the wrong mix outside of the safety of the Christian school. Jesus did not intend for our lives to be so safe or boxed in or for us to think something different was a bad place to be. There are many people who live in so many contexts of safety. This was merely an example of how we need to break out in order to really do God's work. So, please re:read the disclaimer and note the woman's fear in stepping out. She is the example of what I don't want to be no matter what setting I may find myself.
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