Primer Guide 2: Ownership
Review the Practice so far (10 min)
In reflecting on the topics we discussed at the Primer Night, let’s briefly consider the following questions together, one at a time:
How are you feeling about the start of this new Community? Where do you feel excitement, and where do you maybe feel anxious?
Are there any questions or curiosity about what we decided last week, or follow up that’s needed? (e.g., where and when we meet, ideas for dinner, communication platform, etc.)
Facilitator Note: Set a timer for 10 minutes. When the timer is up, move on to the next section.
Read this Overview (5 min)
Our mission as a church is to Practice the Way of Jesus, together, in Portland. And we pursue that mission by orienting our lives around being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Bridgetown Communities are where that mission is most tangibly lived out. Designed to be furnaces of formation, Bridgetown Communities are the primary way we live into God’s transformational desire for us as a church.
As a reminder, our monthly rhythm as a Community consists of three weeks of discipleship and one week of service. During the three weeks of discipleship, we are invited to deepen our apprenticeship to Jesus through a meal, communion and a guide just like this one.
Facilitator Note: Have someone read 1 Corinthians 12v12–20
We were not created to go it alone. This is why we practice the way of Jesus together in Community. As we do, we reflect the image of God to one another and to the world around us.
Scripture reminds us that every part of the body of Christ is essential. Each person in this Community is vital to the health and function of the whole. One practical way this plays out is through shared responsibility—everyone taking on a role that in some way resonates with their story and current capacity as a follower of Jesus.
This accomplishes two important things:
When everyone contributes, no one carries too much on their own.
It is a blessing both to the group and to each individual when people serve in the ways God has uniquely positioned them.
Exercise for tonight (25 min)
Each Bridgetown Community is encouraged to share responsibility by inviting each individual to consider how God has equipped them to serve their Community. Tonight, we will continue the conversation we started last week and dedicate time together to talk through who might be interested in taking on one of the following roles:
Communication Coordinator
Works in partnership with the Community Leaders to keep communication clear and organized. This includes maintaining a community calendar and managing group communication related to weekly gatherings and other activities.
Food & Hospitality Coordinator
Works in partnership with the Community Leaders to coordinate where the Community gathers, what meals will look like each week, and who is bringing what.
Service Coordinator
Works in partnership with the Community Leaders to plan, organize, and facilitate the Community’s monthly justice or service initiatives.
Family Coordinator
Works in partnership with the Community Leaders to creatively plan, organize, and facilitate the Community’s weekly Family rhythm, considering the Family Prompt provided in each Guide.
Other Roles
These may include:
Celebrating birthdays
Planning community trips or outings
Organizing activities outside of regular meeting nights
Planning holiday-themed gatherings
Leading worship
Keeping track of prayer requests and reminders
Any other way you feel excited to contribute
Facilitator Note: Take some time to discuss who would like to own what. Set a timer for 20 minutes. When the timer is up, move on to the next section.
Exercise for the week ahead (3 min)
In the week ahead, we’ll continue our conversation about leadership within our Community. The practice for this week is for each of us to spend some time in prayer, asking God whether He may be inviting us to apply to serve as this Community’s leader. If you sense a “yes,” the next step is to share that with the group and submit an official application to the Communities Team.
Additionally, if there are any coordinator roles that are still unfilled, take some time to consider how your experience and availability might help serve our Community in one of those areas.
Please come ready next time to share what role, if any, you feel led to step into this year within our Community.
