The easy answer for me on this, believe it or not, is yes we should value it. At the end of the day someone who makes an effort to be with the community week in and week out even if the “program” isn’t at its best, the person is not at their best, or the person sees value in giving time to the community when they are not sure about what they will “get” in return, is something I can truly appreciate.

The hard answer is no we shouldn’t. At least not as much as we used to. The effort to show up to something planned for you each week due to a facebook posting, or twitter or email is not what it used to be. I believe that at one time showing up weekly was a huge endeavor, from getting there, to the extent you spent time with people that day, due to the fact that it was hard to connect during the week and there were no other options for community. But today that is not the case and it actually becomes easy to just come on Sunday’s and not really take part in other ways. One hour in and out and done. And then believing that you are a major contributor because of this “attendance.”

The complicated answer is that it is both. Our community prides itself on being able to connect outside of our Sunday night gathering. Whether it’s an organized study, dinner, a bbq or breakfast at Bons there seem to be spaces available to connect during the week. But what also seems to be the case is that many feel that if they connect with someone during the week, they have done their bit and don’t need to go to the larger gathering. And still there are a few in our community that come Sunday and have not moved into relationships outside of that and act in the same way. They feel like the church is not doing a good job connecting people, and yet they are not involved in those connecting spaces.

I am not sure where I am going with this, because I am actually writing this from a place of freedom. This isn’t a major problem, but I think I am working this out as we begin organizing ourselves for the Fall with our weekly gatherings at little nest starting on the 13th, a book study going on, girls group, and other random activities.

At the end of the day I value relationship and those who are my friends, the ones I count on the most, journey with me in all spaces, public, social, personal and intimate and avoiding one puts a stalemate in the relationship. And for me, attendance is valuable… if you are investing in the community, in all spaces.

Just recently I decided to share my role with the open house with my friend Deric. It has been 3 official days and it is already the best decision I could have made. We are sharing the role as leaders of the open house and although I am still the recipient of “info @” I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders. Not only do I feel more free in my role, but Deric is already exceeding my expectations!

I have been working at this alone for a while now, and I am keen that you should never do things alone. I thought that I wasn’t alone (I did have a leadership team and a network), but I didn’t have someone to bounce off ideas, share tasks and simply hang out with. For all of you who are seeking to plant a church or to start anything, I say this emphatically… put a teammate on the top of your list and I encourage that teammate to be a friend.

So the open house now has 2 staff members (both at 25% time) and I am already seeing positive repercussions. I don’t believe that a church should be lead (staff wise) by just one person, as there is so much to see that one person will miss. (Thanks Deric for pointing out things yesterday). I tried to do it alone but I was burning out and was on the verge of organizational and personal failure, but now I am alive again. Be willing to give up your sole possession of leadership for a more balanced approach… but be really considerate of who that person is.

I am reading through John as our church is going to be teaching through the book for the next (ahem) year, and I came across this great passage in John 11. Jesus is going to go back to Judea because his friend Lazarus is dead and his disciples are reminding Jesus that the Jews are trying to kill him there, but out of love Jesus says he must still go.

‘Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”‘

That is someone I want on my team.