Don't Simply Save Individuals

A few years ago I had the privilege of working with a church in north Africa to plant cell churches in a number of apartment buildings throughout their neighborhood.  Each building would be occupied by an extended family network and their friends.  So going after the whole unit as the foundation for a church made for a good strategy.

Two westerners along with two local church members would make up a team.  As a team we would find easy entrance into an apartment.  Conversation flowed easily in this hospitable culture.  Religion was a popular topic and one of great personal interest.  We would end up using the Bible and talking through the issues of salvation in Jesus Christ.

More Tea Equals More People

A typical meeting started with a family grouping of four to eight people.  We would drink tea and talk for about an hour and get through the whole message.  About when we think it is time to leave an older man would arrive and maybe a couple others.  

“Would you like some more tea?” we were asked.  Sure.  Then we were told to start all over again and the beginning so this new group could hear it.  We were shocked at the level of interest and happily spent another hour explaining the Gospel.  We finish up.  Then, yet someone older would arrive.

“Would you like some more tea?” we were asked again.  Okay.  Then we were told to start all over again with these new people and everyone else listening again.  I had never experienced anything like this.  So, we did.

Guess what happened next?  Yes, even more people arrive.  More tea.  More Gospel conversation.  I was wondering if this was really necessary.  Couldn’t they just repeat the story themselves and let us go?  Were they just playing with us?  Weren’t they tired or bored?  No, it was all serious.  

Clearly, God was working, and yet this was not an isolated incident.  It would happen in most of the homes and with most of the teams that week, not always to the fourth round, but very often twice if not three times.  

The Value Of Existing Community Networks

I was pleased that we would end up with a larger and larger group--that the group was family, relatives and close friends.  It was wonderful that they all lived in the same building, already respected and trusted one another, in other words already lived in community.  What a wonderful way to hopefully start a church!

By spending so much time together, about half a day, we were able to talk about many things that were important to all of us.  We talked about our families and our lives.  We shared photos, told stories, laughed and even sympathized with one another.  We discussed troubles, goals and dreams all at the same time.  People are people world round.  We could pray together.

That experience in that society was my first exposure to the value of group evangelism over individual evangelism, or even over mass evangelism with a lot of disconnected individuals.  It fit their culture.  In so many places in the world, when isolated individuals become Christians, it is often really hard to form them into groups that work.  This is because, unlike America, they are more communally oriented and less individualistic.

But more than that, we were able to have quality discussion without being in a hurry.  We could take the time to answer questions and seek out clear understanding.  There is so much value in repeating the story.  New questions would arise and new paths of discussion would be followed.  

The community influencers were giving serious thought to the message of grace, peace and hope.  We were also helping our partners build new relationships that could easily be followed up.  We didn’t use any tricky tools or cute costumes, just one or two Bible passages that explained Jesus Christ, His work and new life in Him.

A Group Over An Individual Methodology

This is a method I have adopted:  to gather groups first, groups that have a sense of community, so that if the Lord saves with His Gospel, they would easily become churches.  I would much rather plant churches than simply save individuals.  

This makes church planting a whole lot easier.  The community of trust and relationship is naturally present.  The leaders are already known and accepted.  And the foundation has been laid for ongoing vibrant and honest discussion of the Scripture. 

I wonder if such an approach might even work in America.  Perhaps there are places where pockets of true community already exist but where the Gospel has not yet been proclaimed.  If you attempt it, going for groups not individuals, let me know what happens.