Two by Two

The work that God has been doing on 12th Street has been amazing. It can be attributed to many factors. The first is there has been an intentional group of Christian people who filtered on the street for the past 31/2 years. Secondly, they have been in prayer, especially over the last few months. Thirdly, they have been building relationships with neighbors. The result has been greeting a few dozen people (who have never attended the church) from 12th Street and surrounding streets on Sunday mornings at the Rock. There are many facets to the third factor that the team and myself have recently learned in planting the Woodland Church. We have met a good number of people but the work cannot be done effectively on an individual basis. I have learned from Aaron and 12th Street that building and maintaining relationships will sap the energy of one individual unless it is a communal effort. However, I didn't need to look at the example of 12th street to tell me this fact. It was something that Jesus instituted in his ministry when he sent out the 72. Luke 10:1 says "...he sent them out two by tw0 ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." As things start picking up, and we are able to meet more people we need to learn how to incorporate our community in the building of relationships. The most significant relationships I can have at one time are very few, but if there was someone else going out with me our territory can and will expand.
The key is no matter where we are we need to make disciples. It could be great if everybody could move close to the 05 or near Woodland Park. However, we all know that this is not realistic based on several reasons. The key is to be an active witness where one is already at and strengthen surrounding relationships.