My friend John Pennington introduced a program to the Central Area in the early 2000s called, “CANN:Central Area Neighborhood Networks.” John had grouped our forty-one congregations into smaller groups of three or four called neighborhoods. The neighborhoods were formed from simple geography; neighboring churches in more urban areas and neighboring towns in the rural.
Next the congregations were encouraged to interact in several ways. Church picnics were held. Sunday pulpit exchange and ministers’ cluster groups were encouraged. People were put into contact with people. Ministries developed and life long relationships were forged.
Soon networks began to cross pollinate. We at Wylie Christian Church were in a neighborhood with our local sister congregations: First Christian Abilene and Brookhollow Christian Church. Our neighborhood intersected with other neighborhoods through retreats, conferences and assemblies. Our praise band made it a priority to travel to other neighborhoods in the area often worshipping with three or four congregations at a time; and always sharing a wonderful meal together.
Those neighborhoods provided some of the veins and arteries that carried life throughout our area and nourishment to the life we have together. They weren’t the only connective tissue in our structure. Youth ministries, men’s and women’s groups, and ministerial alliances were among other points of connection. All these worked because we chose to participate.
There are many points of connection that exist currently. In our own neighborhood we continue to assemble for worship and fellowship together. Recently we formed a lectionary discussion group and meet weekly to share in sermon preparation. Outside our neighborhood feels bigger than ever before. The structure that provides security and cohesion is in flux. The veins and arteries are harder to recognize but they are still there. They still work when we participate.
The challenge is not small, or insignificant. The answers are not complicated, just involved. It can be un-nerving to not know where we are headed. We can draw strength and encouragement from our faith in God in these times. We can courageously believe that we are being led by the Holy Spirit and our contribution can make a difference. We may not know where we are headed, but we can be sure of where we are going…to be continued…
Next the congregations were encouraged to interact in several ways. Church picnics were held. Sunday pulpit exchange and ministers’ cluster groups were encouraged. People were put into contact with people. Ministries developed and life long relationships were forged.
Soon networks began to cross pollinate. We at Wylie Christian Church were in a neighborhood with our local sister congregations: First Christian Abilene and Brookhollow Christian Church. Our neighborhood intersected with other neighborhoods through retreats, conferences and assemblies. Our praise band made it a priority to travel to other neighborhoods in the area often worshipping with three or four congregations at a time; and always sharing a wonderful meal together.
Those neighborhoods provided some of the veins and arteries that carried life throughout our area and nourishment to the life we have together. They weren’t the only connective tissue in our structure. Youth ministries, men’s and women’s groups, and ministerial alliances were among other points of connection. All these worked because we chose to participate.
There are many points of connection that exist currently. In our own neighborhood we continue to assemble for worship and fellowship together. Recently we formed a lectionary discussion group and meet weekly to share in sermon preparation. Outside our neighborhood feels bigger than ever before. The structure that provides security and cohesion is in flux. The veins and arteries are harder to recognize but they are still there. They still work when we participate.
The challenge is not small, or insignificant. The answers are not complicated, just involved. It can be un-nerving to not know where we are headed. We can draw strength and encouragement from our faith in God in these times. We can courageously believe that we are being led by the Holy Spirit and our contribution can make a difference. We may not know where we are headed, but we can be sure of where we are going…to be continued…