Comments on: Defining “Connected”

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:32:51 +0000

I’m not sure how to define “connected” but here’s a way to test for it:
* If the person were to leave the church, would they experience a sense of loss? Would the remaining members of the church experience loss?
* Do the person’s relationships in the church encourage spiritual growth? Do they evidence the fruits of the spirit (not just connection, but spiritually healthy connection)? Is involvement in the church a life-giving experience? or is church involvement merely a diversion, or a chore?
* To borrow a phrase from Young Life, have you “earned the right to be heard” when you speak truth to difficult situations in their life?
* Do they sense that what God has for them cannot be fulfilled apart from relationships with other christians? (i.e., the “one another”-type commands that were introduced by Jesus in John 15:12ff)
* As leaders, do we sense our repsonsibility for the part that we play in promoting their spiritual health? (Heb. 12:12-15)

By: Timotheos

Timotheos — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:24:40 +0000

Yes, I would say that transformation is evidence of connection because one cannot truly change apart from the community of the redeemed. If there is no transformation it may not necessarily mean there is no connection because one could be in process whereby the inside work has not yet shown itself outwardly. Again, this takes doing the relational work with a student to know if this is the case or not.

By: chuck bomar

chuck bomar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:06:35 +0000

Timotheos, again, thanks for your thoughts. I think you are really adding to the discussion here. it seems though that you may be directly defining more of what it means to be successful in ministry. i’m not saying that people being connected and success can be separated though! so, are you saying that true life change means they’re connected…and without transformation they are not connected?

B Will – I like the personal and intimate measurements.

By: B Will (Brian Williams

B Will (Brian Williams — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:48:12 +0000

Hello,

Yes I would agree/disagree with Chuck when he listed the points that are not sufficient for being connected in the church for college aged students. I agree in the sense that just because someone may meet anyone of those criteria you inputted, that doesn’t suffice being connected; they at the same time, don’t necessarily indictate that you aren’t connected. Some may meet anyone of those criteria and be connected to the church, and at the same level not meet any of the criteria and be connected which is difficult (or vice versa). I also agree that just having the information (criteria listed from Chuck) when you are measuring may and can be insufficent when bringing in the factors I will state below. I believe most understand the point I am making. There’s more than just “doing/saying” things that are church “welcome.” I feel it’s more of a heart and spiritual issue as to whether or not your connected. You can “do” all the “right” things and just coast along, but if your hearts’ not in it, then your disconnected. Now I came off topic just a bit, but I believe it’s necessary to understand what the issue may or could be to be able to define or measure it. The church should be a family, and that being said, it would make it easier to know who and who is not connected within the church “family.” For example, those of us who have siblings and both parents, for the most part, know the character’s and heart’s of each family member (just an example you don’t need both parents and siblings to do this….it can be friends etc). They all may go to church every week and “complete” the criteria listed by chuck and totally be disconnected or connected. Additionaly, they may do all of those things, but totally dis-represent the church and it’s morals/principles outside of its “gates.” I’m not pertainting to those of us including myself who fall short everyday and of course give a bad representation of Christianity. We all do, this is not the issue I am addressing. I am addressing those that “play” the “i go to church, and I am a good person.” So when Chuck lists the criteria that is not sufficient….this is my explanation as to why it’s in-sufficient. Not because the actual deeds would be in-sufficient, but it’s because of the indiviual(s) that mis-represent that criteria mixed with the ones that truly have “good connected minds” that cause the criteria to be inaccurate. How can we measure it then? By knowning those in the church like you would your own family/friends…for instance, it’s like saying…..hmm I recognize that person or this person, but don’t know anything about them…..It’s going to be difficult to measure something that can be so abstract. As we have discussed, you can’t physically do something to show you are necessarily connected. It’s the heart, mind, and spirit that comes into play. A way to make it more sufficent to decide whether one is or isn’t connected is by knowning them on a personal level. And knowing what that exactly is…is difficult to pinpoint. It’s easier to say what is not or could not be for sure. When it comes to deciding how to measure one’s connectivness within the church we must first know them. This would help paint a more accurate and reliable determination of the indiviual.

By: Timotheos

Timotheos — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:14:58 +0000

Chuck, maybe I’m still not getting at your direction of questioning, but, by now, it is probably evident that I approach ministry from a very historical, biblical, and theological perspective. In my view, the more we are connected with historic Christianity the less we need to reinvent church to meet expectations of others. That being said, I know that on a practical basis what many in leadership are looking for are the bottom line of numbers, and participation in services and programs.

Yet, it seems to me that the true evidence, historically, of whether students are heading in the direction we want is if they have a posture of humility toward the preaching of the Word, the practicing of the sacraments, and obedience to church discipline (I’m not talking about punishment here, but having a submissive attitude of accepting spiritual practices that will foster Christian maturity, e.g. prayer, fasting, and giving). These, then, are the appropriate measurements of genuine Christiantiy.

If we are fully engaged in relationships with students that move in this direction, we are then able to communicate with leadership on how this process is coming along. The evaluative grid is one that seeks to understand if individual believers are vested in the outward forms from deep inner conviction. The end of this is a changed life, which becomes evident to all.

I hope this helps a bit.

By: abbie

abbie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:29:23 +0000

Do they feel like they belong.

By: Micah

Micah — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:29:30 +0000

I agree with Travis, I think we see goals being met and connection happening when “fruit happens”. I am referring to the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). When you can see change and fruit happening in a person’s life, then there is transformation and growth happening. (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, etc.) We are constantly in a process of transformation into Christ’s likeness…striving to be more connected with the body of Christ (loving and caring more for others, giving of our time, possessions, or gifts, and much more). Because we as followers and fellow disciples can exert as much energy as we want into inviting others to get involved in the ministry, investing time in relationships, or participating in social gatherings (which are great things to do), but ultimately the Spirit has to bring transformation and from that we can see “connection” to the Body and the Father.

I was shown a great resource from an article written by Dallas Willard called “Looking Like Jesus” (later made into a book called “The Great Omission”) that had a diagram called “The Golden Triangle of Spiritual Transformation,” which is about being centered in the Mind of Christ (Phil. 2:12-15; Rom. 13:14).
It starts with Joy (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:1-5). In the midst of difficult circumstances we are to “consider it all, joy”. It’s an assurance that nothing can separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus.
Next, is Grace; the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives on a daily basis (John 3:5; Rom. 8:10-13; Gal. 5:22-26). Regarding the presence of God in our lives on a daily basis.
And, last are Disciplines; putting on a New Heart (Col. 3:12-17, 2 Peter 1:5-10). It takes training and an effort, it’s not about earning spirituality.

When we see these things happening, we are seeing spiritual transformation happening in a person’s life.

I hope this helps or at least makes sense.

By: Jonathan Brink

Jonathan Brink — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:27:24 +0000

I would suggest connectedness is entirely subjective but would be measured in terms of relationships. Participation in the means, but relationship is the ends.

Much love bro.

By: Travis

Travis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:57:29 +0000

Is my life or others’ lives changed or being changed because of a relationship with a college student in our ministry, and is there a noticeable change in the student’s life for their involvement in our ministry?

There can only be a connection if lives are changed by knowing them!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:31:10 +0000

Josh, I agree. some of the discussion is working toward defining that. I’ve clearly stated the ways in which I don’t think define it – which implies I already have a definition I hold to. But this blog series is less about me blurting out my definition as it is collectively hearing thoughts – and possibly shaping all our definitions. So, for the sake of this discussion, how would you define connected…?