"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."  (I Peter 3:15)

The commercial world operates on the principle that there is a reason for making a purchase of their product.  And, we reserve the right to ask of any  thing - "what's it for?"  Someone reading this article has not, as yet, found a solid reason why they should follow the lifestyle teaching of Jesus.  At this time, I'd like to mention a few very significant things that result from being Christian.

The most therapeutic thing in the world is to have a sense of forgiveness.  To be in harmony with the God of the Universe is no small matter.  We must find peace with God, other people, and ourselves.  In my opinion, this is the most significant result.

We are set on a course of personal development.  What we are becoming is more important than who we presently are.  Much discontent is because we have not chosen a point on the compass and are not moving toward a better self.  Jesus' teaching  will develop us physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It improves our personal relations.  The real proof of Christianity is how easy we are to live with. No man can claim success who has not learned to live with people.  The "Second Command" is loving people with the same kind (not measure) of love as one loves himself.

Life is no longer the object of uncontrolled circumstances.  Even the unpleasant events that come into our lives can be used for our good.  We can say with Paul, "things that have happened to me have worked for the furtherance of the  gospel (good)."

We become a help to humanity.  People need help.  We believe we should share in the burdens of others.

We are not victims of the passing years.  We slowly loose the strength of our body, the light in our mind begins to dim, the pride of youth goes from us but death is not our enemy.  Life is like wine - the best is yet to come.

We are part of one of the world's largest brotherhoods.  Of over 6 billion people, 2.1 follow Jesus.  "Let him who means to love life and see good days, refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.  And let him turn away from evil and do good.  Let him seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears attend to their prayers.  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."  (1 Peter 3:10) 

Charles and Mary just returned from Romania visiting the Black Sea coast city of Constanta.   They met with and encouraged the Lord's church there.  Charles is a retired but busy missionary and preacher of the Gospel.  Charles and Mary live in various places (depending on the time of year) but are surrounded in love and respect by family and friends from all over the world.  Charles is a mentor to and supporter of those associated with mission work at NSCofC.  Charles likes to tell stories just like Jesus liked to tell stories.  We reprint with permission.

I was raised in a Christian home but not in the Church of Christ.  In fact, I had never heard of the Church of Christ until the Navy transferred us to Christchurch, New Zealand where Ann and I became friends with a missionary family living in the our neighborhood.  What brought me to the point of baptism and accepting Jesus as my savior was a restlessness in my soul, a time of study, the example of the missionary’s family and some trying life events.  It was during this time that I saw the love and concern that Christians had for others because of their faith.  That was in 1967.

In looking back over those 41 years, my faith has grown through several phases.  When I was baptized I resolved to change, to “do good things and stop doing bad things.”  You know - following the rules.  But, because I was weak that didn’t work well.  My next phase was doing things the “right way” in worship. That should strengthen my faith by making me pleasing to God, but it didn’t.  Then I went through what I call my “blind faith” period. I believed just because Jesus said to believe.  That was very unfulfilling. Finally, today I realize that my faith is built on my relationship with Jesus and my trust in God’s promises.  I’ve come to recognize that even what I call “my faith” is a gift from God to me.

How is my faith strengthened today?  By trusting in God and allowing Him to use me as He would.  I’m still learning how to do this and it’s hard.

Holding on to my faith for the past 41 years has been a struggle.  So many times doubt overwhelmed my faith.  But, praise God for His faithfulness, patience and grace that today my faith is stronger than it has ever been. My faith is the foundation on which all my Christian beliefs and hopes are based. For me, without faith as my foundation my beliefs, hopes, intent and works would be folly.  

- Mike Faris, Nov 2009

This continues our "My Story" series of articles written by friends and acquaintances of NSCofC.  If you would like to share your thoughts on faith, hope, and intent with others, send them to us.

1.  C.A.R.E Groups are no longer an "official" ministry at NSCofC and will no longer be described as such.  If, however, families would like to continue to meet on a regular basis - because they have been doing so for some time - then please feel free to continue.  Any Christian fellowship and encouragement regardless of when and where is wonderful.  If one insists, our small group ministry at NSCofC is now called "Organic Groupings", or "OG".

2.  In OG, there is not a ministry leader or any kind of hierarchy of organization and management.  Truly, the elders believe that members of NSCofC need to take ownership and responsibility of their time (it is actually God's time, isn't it?) and learn to share it with others in any fashion (as mentioned or in other creative ways) that can encourage and edify while causing others to consider God and let God move in their lives.  What will God do if and when we listen?

3.  OG is meant for all ages from all backgrounds.  Parents - you have a responsibility to encourage your kids to be engaged in Christian training and fellowship.  No one else has a greater responsibility.  Use OG as a way to engage your kids.  Teenagers - use this as a way to connect with your friends and talk about God or simply find encouragement during the week with other Christian friends.  And so forth...  Please understand that OG is about you and what you can do for yourself, others, and God.  No one is limited in OG by age, position, or circumstance.

4.  Pray hard, organize, and then step back and watch God move.  This is the whole premise behind OG.  Pray, organize, watch God move.  It is as simple as that. 

Dad or Mom at Work – Do you drive to work during the week and pass a breakfast place?  How about inviting a few to meet you for a 45 minute light breakfast one day of the week on the way to work?  Make it early enough so your crew can be there with you.

Dad or Mom at Home – Can you stop around noon and meet up with a few others and share some coffee in the kitchen or living room or local coffee shop?  30 minutes and everyone can get back to their work. 

Teenagers – You can drive? Then meet up with a few friends at the local hang-out.  Sure, you may talk with them all of the time but this opportunity is about you and your friends and God.  You don’t need to drip with Christianity, but this is different than the “talk about homework and gripe about the teacher” conversation.  Make this time intentional.  

School Teachers – You may think you carry the load of the world – and if God isn’t part of your work week then you probably are.  How does it feel?  Pick up your schedule books that you are so tightly tied to and put in a 30 minute block of time for a light conversation, a Bible verse, and a prayer.  Do it early the same morning of the week with others.  Do it at your school or move from school to school.  It all depends on who you invite and get going with.  Meeting will make your day and week better – and you might find that God can help you carry the load.

Mom or Dad with Children – Either with the kids (which isn’t ideal, is it?) or without (let the opposite take the kids for one hour every Wednesday evening) - meet up with some of your peers.  Talk and vent but remember God in verse and prayer.  Get your spouse or someone and God engaged in this intentional act.  You will be a better person for it.  Your kids will appreciate it, too.

Seniors & Oldsters – Don’t sit around wondering why the kids don’t call or when will you quit hurting.  Link up with some others and enjoy 45 minutes of conversation.  Make sure, though, to work in a prayer and Bible verse.  You are never too old to learn new tricks, are you? 

Families – Dad or Mom – take the initiative and spend a set time with your kids and their friends.  Do it the same time every week (kids like routine).  Friendly talk, a prayer (let the kids pray if they would like), and a Bible verse.  Here is the thing – if you wait too long to do this with your kids, they will feel like they are being held captive and this experience will not be pleasant for anyone.  Start training early when the kids are young.  Later, it will be difficult.

Husband & Wife – Why not pair up with a neighbor or church couple once a week and spend 45 minutes talking about something important – or not.  Make a point to let God get worked into the conversation.  Then step back and let God do his work.  Your business is to bring him up – he’ll take care of the rest. 

Tired and Depressed Hermits – You, of all, need a time during the week with a few others to talk.  Make yourself get a few together and make yourself pray and read from Scripture with them.  Just do it!  If you will search for God, God will be there and he will take care of you.  Have faith in his promises.  Extend a hand to him and he will grasp it and take care of you and yours.

Socialites – Have a block party regularly.  A few of the folks from down the street.  Meet in your home or try to share houses.  This is above and beyond the call of duty for organic grouping (which is meant to be somewhat less complicated and burdensome) but if you are moved to engage your neighbors in conversation, prayer, and Scripture reading then you need to make it happen.  They are waiting for you.

Young Teens – It is harder for you to get around, for sure.  But if you really want to meet sometime and somewhere and you need some assistance then you need to speak up and get some help.  Talk to the elders, deacons, minister, or the church staff.  They will help you out.  But consider this – don’t you have some friends at school you could intentionally meet with for maybe 20 minutes early on a Wednesday morning or a Thursday evening before other activities?  Just a few minutes for a prayer and a Bible verse?  You can do it even if you can’t drive.  This is easy and is meant for you.

Slugs – If you don’t know what slugging is then you are not familiar with the commuting styles in Northern Virginia.  (Visit www.slug-lines.com for more information on slugging.)  How about this idea, though?  If you are the slugging driver, put a placard in your window at the slug line stating “We will pray and read about Jesus during our commute.  Anyone is welcome.”   Do you think anyone would notice you and your offer?  How would God use this opportunity to his benefit?

Do you get the idea?  Organic groupings is not someone's else plan to plan and make happen for you.  Rather, it is yours to plan and make happen.  No excuses for not being involved or engaged.  Interestingly, just when you are feeling the lowest and most in need of attention ("Oh, no one likes me because they didn't invite me into one of those newfangled origami things...")  is the exact and perfect time to call others together and encourage each other in an organic grouping.  Works better than medicine!  Guaranteed.

But more important than making you feel better is the understanding that these meeting opportunities are meant to be breeding grounds and fertile fields in which we let God move.  We desire, in our organic groupings, to give room for God to wander in the hearts and minds of participants.   We want to have faith that God will take any circumstance and turn it to his advantage.

So how do I do this?

• Make a commitment to yourself and God that you will do this?  You are the initiator, leader, servant, and friend – all in one.
• Figure out where, when, how, and with whom you can meet.  That’s the hard part.  Invite and start meeting regularly.  That’s the easy part.
• Plan to meet once a week consistently.  Make very few exceptions.
• Consider the venue where you are meeting.  This will determine how many and who to invite.
• Don’t wait for someone to invite you.  You invite and meet with your own batch of companions.
• You are the person calling the get-together so you will need to make sure the prayer and Bible reading takes place the first few weeks.  But make sure everyone knows they can help out.  No lessons.  No commentaries.  No prayer chains.  Bring God into your life – don’t make everyone go find God somewhere else.  (Every week, there is a Verse of the Week - VOTW - right here on this website in the right hand column.  Use this passage for thought and discussion, if you like.)
• Get your own organic grouping going but get involved in someone else’s, too, if you like.  It is about your time, what you can give, and what you need.  Be involved, at least, but be involved as much as you like in as many organic groupings as you like all the while making sure that you can keep your commitments.
• This bullet point is really the only administrative request the elders make – if you begin meeting can you please notify the NSCofC office and tell them when and where you are meeting?  This is so that we all can be aware of your meeting times and locations and maybe we can send some visitors your way.  The rest is yours – the planning, inviting, implementation, and follow-through.  But help us help you – let us know when and where you meet, please.

Think about where you feel most comfortable with friends, or where you have to be or go or pass by every day where there are others, or what has to be done by you all of the time where there are other people. 

And what if you take any one of these events or locations and make a commitment to yourself and a few others that you want to pray with them and read a Bible verse together at these places and times?  That’s all.  You just leave the rest up to God and those that are with you.

Here are some ideas on what your few minutes with others might include if you commit to organic groupings:

• Be with a few family members, friends, and maybe a few of their friends or acquaintances.  Whatever is convenient and fits wherever you are.
• Pray a real prayer.  Let another pray a real prayer if they want.
• Read a Bible verse.  Say something about it – or not.  Maybe someone else will say something – or not.  Let God take the words and move them in the hearts of others.  The rest of your time - enjoy a good conversation. 
• Appreciate your few minutes together.  Depending on where or what you are doing, your time together may be no more than 20-30 minutes.  Is that enough time for God to work in people?  Of course it is.
• Before you break up, set a time and place to meet again together.

That is an organic grouping.  Looks a lot like friends and acquaintances getting together because they like each other, doesn’t it?

What is happening in your organic grouping?

• Personal one-on-one with people you know.
• There is talk about God in common conversation.  No agendas.  Trust God to open doors in conversation.
• Your time and location to meet is completely and totally up to you and your acquaintances.  But it is a time and location.  It is a commitment.  If you and your friends decide to meet once a week - keep the commitment.  Remember, this isn’t outside of your schedule – it is part of your schedule. You and they are learning to keep your word.  Word is bond, son!
• Trust and respect.
• Observing and demonstrating that Christians live life, too.
• Prayer and a few Bible verses create many conversations.
• No concern about “how many” or “how much”.  This is self-regulating – time and content.  If you think you want to eat breakfast with 100 people for four hours, you may do so.  Normally, though, when there is the intent of good conversation there are only a few who get together.  Besides, the restaurant or the living room may not be big enough for 100 people for four hours.
• You already have the tools and expertise to sit and talk with someone, pray, and read a Bible verse.  No leadership training required.  No records to keep.  No lessons to prepare or present.  Still scared?  Let God take care of your fears – you just go out and do what you already know how to do.
• Getting together when it works.  Monday morning for breakfast.  Tuesday evening for a coffee.  Thursday noon for a read at the library.  Saturday for brunch.  Sunday evening for a TV show at your house.  When and where can you meet?  Totally up to you.  You just have to do the invite.  Make it work.
• Dependencies are created.  I invite you – you acknowledge me.  This is a bond or contract, of sorts. 
• Laughter.  Sadness.  Humor.  Serious.  God.  Connection.

It is time...

In Acts 2:41-42, 46-47a, one can read, "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people." First century Christians spent time together in their homes and in locations convenient for fellowship and edification.

The New Testament reveals a number of examples of Christians meeting together at various times in various locations.  Christians met in the home of Aquila and Priscilla in I Corinthians 16:19. Also, Christians met in the home of Nympha in Colossians 4:15. Additionally, Archippus opened his home to Christians in Philemon 2.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit manifested his presence and power "like a blowing of a violent wind...and filled the whole house where they were sitting." (Acts 2:2) After the apostles left the Sanhedrin, "day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus was the Christ." (Acts 5:42)

When the jailer at Philippi responded to the message of Peter and Silas, "...the jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole family." (Acts 16:34)

- - -

Since approximately 1995, NSCofC has had an active small group ministry for her members.  Under the oversight of the church’s elders and managed by various ministry leaders and administrative assistants over the years, the small group ministry has generally been accepted, enjoyed, and productive in terms of strengthening and edifying members of NSCofC.

The original groups were called Life Support Groups in 1995.  Later, the groups were renamed C.A.R.E Groups (for Community, Accountability, Relationships, Etc.) in 2003.

And now, Organic Groupings in 2009.  We continue to grow and learn.  It is time for courage, empowerment, and responsibility. 

It is now time to give our group ministry to you and your acquaintances in your places and at your times.