Finally, let’s talk about the issue of “pedestrian-level” communities and “automotive-level” communities. In the former you walk to each other’s homes; in the latter you have to drive. Density of church population is a key issue in a geographic strategy, unless you see this purely as an evangelism strategy (see part 3 of this series). Of the just over 6,000 men, women and children at Willow who are connecting geographically at this point, only 20-25% are experiencing a true neighborhood community where they walk to each other’s homes. This was true in almost every other church I spoke with, unless it was planted on that model or was a cell church that for decades started groups by neighborhoods and zip codes.
A monthly neighborhood gathering (like we do at Willow) where people drive to the meeting is much like a geographic small group—except it meets less frequently than most groups who gather 2-4 times per month. For those who travel on business (and may miss a monthly gathering) the time between gatherings is just too long. Weekly or regular group life is necessary for spiritual growth and healthy relationships.
It is easier to develop a neighborhood model in areas where many of your church members live. But most of your people will need a group or gathering outside that area if you do not have some other way to connect them regularly. They will die without real group life. Only the evangelistic, highly relational types are likely to begin building group life in an area where they are the lone Christian. Even then, most need an initial core group for support and connection from which to launch out toward others in the area. House Church-planting models like Neil Cole’s ministry, for example, do just that. They look for evangelistic leaders to start neighborhood churches of 9-12 people that, in turn, will some day plant another small church.
My neighborhood community is a mix of pedestrian and automotive. Each component has strengths. We get together often for all kinds of reasons. But the couples group and men’s group in the neighborhood are the backbone. For 10 years, long before our church moved toward geographic strategies, these groups have held people together as they faced trials, raised kids, served the handicapped and support our town. Our monthly table gatherings, when they do actually happen, have value. But it would not be enough without the regular group gatherings for prayer, answering the questions of seekers, reading Scripture and handling pain. That’s just my reality.
What’s your experience?
