We are longing for a place to belong, a place to fit, a
place to call home. This is why bars and coffee shops are packed with people.
These are places people go to find a community of people who are like them.
Here we can share life over a game of pool, a drink or a cup of coffee. I
believe that it is not about the drink or the game but it is more about the
connection that happens.
We talk about weather and favorite sports teams. We share about how work is going, the nagging
boss, or the ex that will not leave us alone. I believe however it is not about
the content of our conversation that matters to us. It is the idea of knowing
someone is listening and willing to share their time with us.
Heartland is one of those places as I look around I see
people longing for this connection of community. People will arrive early to
talk with people they have not seen in a week or longer. They will grab a
coffee and/or donut and stand around our café tables to talk about corn, tractors,
weather, layoffs at John Deere and the weekends football games among other
topics.While some in a rush leave quickly after the worship experience, the
majority of Heartland will hang out for 30-45 minutes making sure each donut is
gone and the world problems are solved.
People are longing for this community. This is why Heartland
does growth groups. So we can “spur one another,” and “one person sharpens
another.” We do this because together we are made stronger. In growth groups we
may learn information that we may have never heard before. We may learn to
apply it a way we never thought was possible. But the overall goal of growth
groups is that we transform into the likeness of Christ through relational
discipleship.
This fall Heartland has the opportunity to be in a growth
group in a series called the Home Run Life. Hearing the message on Sunday
mornings are a good start. But I believe this book along with scripture and
encouragement and challenge of a growth group could impact your life in an
amazing way. For those of you who are
normally Sunday participants I encourage you to find a growth group. It will
help you take your faith to another level and connect you in community. Please
see Annette Redman or myself about the times and places of the growth groups.
