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Dear Church Family,

I just want to open my heart to you about LIFE groups in this newsletter, because, to be honest, I’m actually feeling a little discouraged right now about the apparent lack of response to this. I admit I’m very likely missing something, but it seems to me that very few of our congregation care about this. To be sure, I do know a number of you are embracing this and are excited about it and committed to pursuing it, and that makes my heart glad and encourages me. I praise God for you, otherwise, I would feel like giving up, and I think I can safely say I speak for our other pastors as well.

Why? Because our pastors have been casting this vision for a couple of months now, and yet it seems relatively few of you are stepping up to it. Very few of you have shown any interest in leading a group. I don’t think anyone has responded to the online form yet, so it feels like there’s a real apathy about this. Again, I hope I’m wrong.

To be transparent, I’m totally convinced LIFE groups need to become as important to our church as Sabbath morning gathering for worship is. With all we know about how the final events will play out before Jesus comes, we absolutely must learn to exist as the church in small groups, because there will come a time when Sabbath gathering can no longer happen. If we don’t prepare now for that, we are no better than the foolish virgins.

Aside from that, LIFE groups just make good sense in terms of every area of ministry, as well as healthy and happy and meaningful church life and spiritual life. There are just no good reasons not to do this. So I’m asking you, please let your pastoral staff know where we’re failing in this, or what we’re missing, or what we don’t understand about this so we can approach this in a way that makes sense for you and you can get excited about and commit to being part of. We really want LIFE groups to be the greatest blessing that’s come into your life and into the Richardson Church for a long time. More than that, we believe it’s what God wants for us. You’re incredible people, and you deserve the best, and that’s what God wants to give all of us through LIFE groups. So please, help us do this together with excellence.

Welcome to Richardson!

Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Byron