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February 29, 2008
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House Churches
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 In January, members of our house church and others from local churches journeyed to Poneloya, a poor fishing community in Nicaragua. We went to serve a local church through work on a retreat/community center and to interact with the locals through activities and ministries. While there are many stories about God’s provision that week, one stands out with a theme that confronted us and challenged us from the beginning - commitment. Initially, we were asked to consider making a commitment to sponsoring a local child or pastor. That challenge reached much deeper into the heart, much further than a signature on a check. As it turned out, God gave us an example of this commitment and allowed us to explore both sides of this relationship.
Our bus stopped in front of a tin-roofed church and we were greeted with warm smiles and hugs by the pastor and her daughter. We filed into the church, and before we knew what was happening, a reunion was taking place. The pastor and her daughter, one of our guys, and our translators were embracing and crying. Thanks and praises were being offered up in Spanish for answered prayers. The guy from our house church had been sponsoring this young girl for the last seven years.
The next thing we were able to experience was the difference in their perspectives when it came to their relationship. First, was the sponsor’s perspective, which we believe is pretty typical. Seven years ago, he was presented with an opportunity to make a difference. Considering the sacrifice, he made a commitment in his heart to sponsor this girl with responsibilities similar to other programs of this nature. For some, it has looked like this: go to a Christian concert, feel good and sponsor a child. He still writes his monthly checks, sends occasional letters and gifts to help provide for schooling, books and clothes. He continues to care about her, is faithful with the funds, and keeps a framed picture of her on the mantle.
For this child, now a young woman of 20, it looked quite different. Her father, the pastor of this church, died three years ago and her mother took his place as the pastor and shepherd of this community. For this girl, being sponsored meant she had an opportunity to be educated and supplied with materials. She has dreams and is now going to college. She loves the Lord and wants to use her education, not as a way to escape to a “better life,” but to return and help her people. To this community and that church, she is a shining light.
The story unfolded before us. In short, amidst the tears and emotional interpreting, her perspective, her heart, is laid bare before her sponsor and he is overwhelmed and humbled by the affection and connection she feels for him and his family. He shows her a picture of his newborn son. “Mi hermano,” she whispers (“My brother”). He had not understood the difference in perspective, one that didn’t require much of his life and one that changed her world, equipping her for her calling.
 When you sponsor a child, you take on more than the child. There is a ripple affect that rolls through their family and their community. If you submit to God and know that the reversal is also true, that ripple will roll through you and yours and to your house church and neighbors. Those ripples have reached our house church. They have stirred the pot, shaken us up. Questions are asked. Comfort zones shoved. It’s messy. It’s wonderful. People become thirsty, hearts soften and grow. We ask the Lord to hold fast our unity as we seek Him. We’re praying about what commitment means for us as a house church and for our individual walks.
An anonymous quote printed at the top of a journal page reads, “The faithful heart sees its commitments not as millstones, BUT as Anchors.” Are our commitments obligations or opportunities? Do we feel held back by them or held firm from drifting? Search the depth of your commitment to your house church. See it as an anchor in your life that fosters consistency. Consistency fosters vulnerability and openness, then trust and unity.
The unpopular reality for a cozy house church is that our commitment, our devotion, is to Christ first, then each other. This humbly opens the door for the mindset that our house churches can be sending bodies, a port where some that have anchored are now ready to go make waves. It’s not a destination. It’s a starting point. Our house church is on the verge of this reality. Several of us are seeking clarity to a call to be sent back to Nicaragua, with long term possibilities. The others seek what it looks like to be committed to sending us. The prayers of a young girl were answered in Poneloya and in turn united a body of believers thousands of miles apart. We’re riding the waves.
 
 
To connect with this house church, or to learn more about their experience in Poneloya, email Brian at lilkerm7@yahoo.com.
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Join the women of Common Ground, including those in your zone and house church, for a time of rest and reflection on the story of Jesus in your life. This retreat will give you an opportunity to reflect on God’s work in you and through you. Our goal is for you to see more clearly what God is doing in your life and what your Kingdom purpose is in daily life. We’ll focus on four themes over the weekend: Journey, Identity, Passion and Purpose. We’ll enjoy times of worship, talks, meditation, journaling, prayer walking, and small group discussion and prayer.
Due to sleeping arrangements and the nature of the retreat, we are unable to accommodate infants or children.
Below are the details for the weekend:
When: 6 pm Friday, April 11 to 4 pm Saturday, April 12
Where: Camp Allendale in Trafalgar, IN
Cost: $50 (includes lodging and 2 meals)
Space is limited and registration closes April 1.
To register, please complete the online registration form. Your registration will be considered complete once the $50 registration fee has been received in the church office at 4550 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Since registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, you'll want to mail your fee in as soon as possible to secure your spot. You will receive a confirmation email from the planning team once your payment has been received and your registration completed.
If you have questions, please contact Christin Nevins at christin.nevins@gmail.com.
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Quarterly Training and Equipping, held February 15-16, brought nearly 100 Common Grounders together for a time of learning, growth and fellowship. This retreat, open to anyone in a house church, was held in our new Midtown location at 4550 N. Illiois Street. Everyone had an opportunity to get a feel for our new facility - especially the children's ministry area which was utilized for both equipping sessions and childcare. We hope you'll plan to join us for a future Training and Equipping retreats, which will include new sessions and presenters. More details on future dates will be coming soon.
Below are a few pictures from the weekend.
 
 
 
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Midtown Worship Services at N. Illinois this Sunday!
Our Midtown location has moved to our new home at 4550 N. Illinois Street. Worship services will be held there beginning this Sunday, March 2. While our location has changed, our Midtown service times remain the same: 9 am, 11 am and 7 pm.
Need to Update Your E-news Email Address?
If you'd like to change the email address you use to receive Common Ground's E-news, please email Marissa with your request at marissa@cground.org. Please include both your old and new email addresses in your message.
Don't Forget to Donate Blood
The blood drive with St. Thomas Aquinas is this Sunday, March 2. If you've made an appointment to donate, we look forward to seeing you in the St. Thomas gym (across from our new Midtown location at 4550 N. Illinos Street) this Sunday. You'll enter the gym through the St. Thomas school parking lot on N. Illinois. Even if you don't have an appointment, you are still welcome to donate.
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