Why Didn't Anyone Visit Me? (Because No One Knew You Were Sick.)

As we continue our reflection on Bronx Bethany's process of mission engagement (loving God, growing together, and serving the world), let's consider the aspect of growing together.

Our discipleship model stresses the importance of ministry moments with small groups. If you have attended Bronx Bethany for any length of time, you will have heard our pastors urging us to be connected in what we call "care groups". These groups generally meet once a week in the fall and early winter for fellowship, prayer, and study of a topic that has been selected by our pastors.

The value of being in a care group really emerges in moments of crisis. In a church with hundreds of members scattered over four services, it is not surprising that persons outside of care groups can be out of church for weeks without being missed by anyone. However, our experience has been that persons connected with care groups have a network of between five and ten people whom they can contact (or who will contact them). Persons in care groups are known, loved, and cared for.

Is a choir a sort of large-scale care group? It is not. Choir rehearsals are scheduled for the purpose of rehearsing music, not for the purpose of spiritual development. Choir rehearsals, at best, only block out a few minutes for devotions and prayer. Fellowship is limited and accountability is virtually nonexistent. If you are reading this and you are in a choir, please do not be offended when leadership encourages you to join a care group. It is in the messy, risky, loving care group setting that we journey from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.

The intimacy of the care group setting also gives us a wonderful opportunity to use our spiritual gifts for each others' benefit. If God has given you the gift of encouragement, but you never speak to any of your fellow congregants, then you are depriving them, and yourself, from being built up and strengthened in the faith (First Peter 4:10). How do we grow? We grow together. Remember: we are in a spiritual war. To live the Christian life as a loner is to invite the devil to devour you, just as a lamb separated from the flock becomes an easy kill for a wolf.

I encourage all of us to pray and seek God as we approach this next season of care group ministry. You need a care group. A care group needs you. Let's make it happen this year.