Two Things to Know about the Primary Point of Connection in Your Church

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What’s the primary point of connection in your church?  Is it the weekend service?  This is a no-brainer question in most 21st century Western churches.  The primary way a person is connected is to the Sunday morning worship service (or Saturday night) of a particular local church.

Hear me on this.  I’m not suggesting that is a legitimate point of connection.  I’m only saying that the weekend worship service is the primary point of connection (weak though the connection is) for most members and attenders in our churches.

With me?  Isn’t that how it is in your church?

I realize that’s how it is for many, many people in our churches.  And I realize that it’s difficult to imagine it any other way.

Still, I think it’s important to note two things:

  1. The primary point of connection in the 1st century wasn’t a weekend service.  It was a group that met in a house (or by a river).  I love Andy Stanley’s line that the primary activity of the early church was one-anothering one another and when everyone is sitting in rows…you can’t do any one-anothers.”  See also, The Primary Activity of the Early Church.
  2. The primary point of connection in the mid-21st century won’t be a weekend service.  The time is quickly approaching when it will be much easier to say “come over” to my house or “meet me at Starbucks”  than “come with” me to church.  In some parts of the Western world it is already happening.  See also, 5 Essential Practices of a 21st Century Small Group System and 10 Powerful Benefits of a Thriving Small Group Ministry.

Peter Drucker famously pointed out that, “Tomorrow is closer than you think.”  William Gibson pointed out that, “The future is already here.  It’s just not evenly distributed.”

I’m not suggesting that you make one abrupt move to a group as primary point of connection, but I’d be remiss if I knew it was coming and remained silent.  And so will you.  Tag…you’re it.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

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2 Comments

  1. Jay Daniell on April 17, 2014 at 11:09 am

    This is what we launched four years ago. We meet in groups each week and only gather once per month for “temple courts”. Completely counter cultural for northeast Nebraska. And it has been a much steeper learning curve for the community than I anticipated. As the great theologian John Cougar once said in his song “The Great Midwest”… “They’re all 5 years ahead of their time. Or 25 behind, I just don’t know”



  2. markchowell on April 17, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Thanks for the insight, Jay! I love it that you are ahead of the curve!

    mark