Thursday, September 22

A Word from Willow Creek

It's 8:30 a.m. here in South Barrington, Illinois. The cafe area that I'm sitting in is crammed with people who have come for Willow Creek's Small Group Conference. Most of us are enjoying the free wi-fi and a cup of really hot, really good coffee! I arrived last evening in time to enjoy their Wednesday night service: New Community. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Willow model, their weekend services are purely targeted at seekers and their mid-week service is primarily for believers. The new facility that houses their 7000 seat worship center is impressive to say the least. Glass, water, stone, wood, escalators...beautiful! There were probably close to 5000 in worship last evening.

This morning, as I get my brain in gear for small group ministry and I as I watch literally thousands of Pastors and small group leaders begin to network and discuss small groups, I am reminded that small group ministry is not a fad or a program. It is biblical and it is community in the truest sense. What do you think of that word 'community' as you think of the church? How do the people in your church experience community or do they at all?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Willow. I am glad you are able to come for the conference. I am a member of Willow Creek and glad you and others like you can come and find something of value in what we are doing and what we've learned. Glad you were with us for New Community. I surely enjoy the boost that NC gives midway through the week.

Blessings to you.