the "life cycle" of the group?

During the visitation this past weekend there were some good, inspiring moments. And it probably did many people good to be heard by fresh ears. Several people showed signs of wanting to start anew.

But there was also talk of management models and the "life cycle" of groups, which reinforces thinking about ourselves as part of businesses (the farm) or communities (Plow Creek) and wondering if they will survive. The message was meant to be encouraging and hopeful. But as soon as we start identifying ourselves as part of such groups, rather than as part of the kingdom of God (or body of Christ), then we lose our primary source of security and hope. Because there are no promises from God that this or that business will succeed. There are no promises that this particular community will survive (and many examples where they did not). There are, however, strong promises from God to the people of his kingdom, that they will be protected and provided for and that they will be kept in unity under their one Head. We lose so much when we consider ourselves as members of any body besides the one Body that never dies. There is no "life cycle" for the kingdom of God.

Also, when we shift our focus to the life of this or that community, trying to "redefine" it or "redevelop" it (terms used in the visitation), then we give ourselves the task of determining what it is, its nature, what it stands for. In the kingdom of God these are already given. We don't have to worry about defining it, we just need more and more to submit to it. Then we can trust that the promises will apply to us as well.

How different things could be here if we simply did what Jesus has told us to do as his followers. I don't know, maybe I can help shift the focus back to that. In any case I need to focus on that myself, and trust that, no matter what happens to the businesses and organizational structures around me, God will preserve and make a way for his people.