How did Jesus make connections

1

• COUNCIL FOR MISSION UNITY
• 25 Southernhay East, Exeter EX1 1QP
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email fishing_at_exeter.anglican.org
• Connections
• Just 10 Devon
• Fishnets! George Lings March 2006

Ideas for making connections

• Hold coffee mornings
  to support a charity,
  it could grow into
  something more.
• Dads me time on a
  Saturday morning to
  help dads have some quality time with
  the kids while mum enjoys some free
  time. Practical mens outreach.
• What about having
  a scrap booking
  evening to put those
  piles of photos in a book. A great
  way to share together about our lives.
• Bereavement support group.
• Hold a divorce recovery group.
  Holy Trinity Brompton has produced
  a course, Recovering from Divorce or
  Separation this uses video and a manual.
• Film club to discuss the
  meanings of
  current films.
  Watch the film and
  discuss the same evening or discuss
  it a week later, but make sure you have popcorn!
• The fitness industry is aware
  of the friendship side of fitness so
  they have set out their premises
  accordingly. Its another great place to get to
  know folks.
• Chocolate parties
  perhaps using a clip
  from the film Chocolat
  and a video demonstration
  by Delia Smith.
  How about having chocolate fondue sets as well!

How did Jesus make connections?
A couple of reminders reminders
In these days
of
computers, admin and
projects its good to
remember that
Jesus
focused on people. He spent lots of time enjoying
their company and their interests. As I've got
to know people recently I have been invited to a
murder mystery weekend, to Salsa dancing, to
parties, to go sailing, to go for a few pints
with the lads downtown, to watch Plymouth Argyle
and to a grappling evening at a marshal arts
club! But far too often Ive been busy with
church groups to go with folks. But this is what
Jesus did, he spent time with people in their
world. Jesus tells us in Luke 107
to stay in their house, eating and drinking
whatever they put before you.
Jesus made use of peoples contacts.
In Luke 5, after Levi accepts the
call to follow Jesus, he is not taken
back to the synagogue. Instead Jesus goes
back to Levis house and meets his work
colleagues. When we get to know people they will
want to introduce us to their network of friends.
Ive found it a great privilege to be go to
people's parties who are completely outside the
church. Not only do they feel that the church is
interested in them but they also introduce me to
all their family and friends. This has lead to
some of these friends holding a short Christian
discovery course in their home, all because I
went and joined in their social life.
These things help build relationship which can
give real opportunities to share faith and become
fresh expressions of church.
Roger Horsley
Mission Enabler Plymouth Archdeaconry (roger.hor
sley_at_btinternet.com)