Preaching is powerful, and has an essential role within a church. But I believe that to be a healthy church, to have the kind of relationships we are intended to have, it takes more than just good preaching.
There needs to be community. The role of the pastor is important, but his preaching cannot fulfill the entire mission of a church by itself. God has given pastors to the church “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
I was encouraged today when I read an article by John Piper who is a renowned author and Pastor of Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN.
He wrote, ” I believe in what I do. And I believe that it is not enough.” He then shared 7 reasons why people need to be in small groups:
- The impulse avoid painful growth by disappearing safely into the crowd in corporate worship is very strong.
- The tendency toward passivity in listening to a sermon is part of our human weakness.
- Listeners in a big group can more easily evade redemptive crises. If tears well up in your eyes in a small group, wise friends will gently find out why. But in a large gathering, you can just walk away from it.
- Listeners in a large group tend to neglect efforts of personal application. The sermon may touch a nerve of conviction, but without someone to press in, it can easily be avoided.
- Opportunity for questions leading to growth is missing. Sermons are not dialogue. Nor should they be. But asking questions is a key to understanding and growth. Small groups are great occasions for this.
- Accountability for follow-through on good resolves is missing. But if someone knows what you intended to do, the resolve is stronger.
- Prayer support for a specific need or conviction or resolve goes wanting. O how many blessings we do not have because we are not surrounded by a band of friends who pray for us.
While preaching is necessary and powerful, it can never replace purposeful, transparent Christian fellowship and accountability.
As the Hebrews were encouraged, so we need to be encouraged to “not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing – but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24)