FACE TIME

Face Time
What is church? - This is another topic that came up at the Kingdom Economic Summit last week. Marketplace ministries often find themselves in a tension between going to church and becoming the church. Let's define "church."
The congregation - In the West the concept of church is usually several meetings a week in a building led by the pastor or his delegate. We "go to church" and we ask others "do you go to church" or "what church do you attend." It's a good concept. We're not throwing rocks at it. The preaching format is Biblical, the worship is filled with the presence of God, and new believers receive a spiritual foundation for their lives. Children's ministries are often excellent.
The home group - Home groups, cell groups, or house church is a group of under 10 - 15 that meets weekly. There is a biblical lesson and a leader to teach it but the smaller format is more conducive to discussion and questions; same dynamic as Jesus and the 12.
The two basic approaches above assume you need the contents of the lesson involved in the meeting. Not a bad assumption - it's just not as relevant as finding out what you really need and addressing it. Congregations and home groups are really different variations on pew time where we can learn something from the lesson or sermon.
Face Time - Here's reality. There is a large group in the marketplace that either; 1) don't have time for a life-long series of lessons, 2) don't have the patience, or 3) already have several decades of lessons under their belts and don't feel the same level of need. Are we saying they don't need "church?" Nope. We're just suggesting that for some, the most relevant format for spiritual growth comes from peer mentoring relationships we'll call "face time."
Once we are mature enough to say yes to personal ministry in the marketplace the most helpful mentoring comes from peers that are already functioning in that particular area. If you could find a small group of peers seasoned with experience in your field and committed to help make you a success, would you be interested? Businessmen often hire that service from consultants at a high price. What if we viewed it as ministry and gave it to one another? What if it included counsel on practical things like cash flow and prophetic ministry at the same time? What if profits and prophets came in the same package?
Freely you have received , freely give.  Matt 10:8 NIV
18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matt 18:18-20
What do you need to take the next step? - For example, a businessman is generally interested in getting help taking his business to the next level by improving his product and profits, blessing his employees, connecting with his Kingdom purpose, and managing time for his wife and family. Those "general" needs do come up occasionally in the lesson version of church. Sometimes we can be more specific with our businessman through the prophetic ministry. However, we're best when we have the face time and simply ask what he or she needs to take the next step in their business / ministry. At some level, groups like this are closer to "church" than either congregations or home groups (although we don't need to play one against the other).
Key ingredients for "Face Time" - I'll update this list over time and welcome your comments if you've participated in something similar.
1. It's a small group of peers and friends with the a similar resume that minister to one another on a weekly or monthly basis. Kent Humphries helped me with this concept. He's a businessman that primarily travels and ministers on Marketplace Ministry (gone on Sundays). He takes a plane to Denver once a month to meet with his group of peers. At each get together one member of the group is the primary focus of ministry. The other members are chosen for their experience to help with new ideas and new networks of contacts. The heart of each participant is a willingness to give and receive on a personal and professional level.
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another... Heb 10:25 NASU
2. Each participant loves the other guys enough to help them become successful over the long haul. "Accountability" isn't quite the right term unless you think of it in terms of helping a brother or sister inherit all of their land. We're helping one another through the spiritual warfare involved in becoming David's "mighty men" to do great exploits. We're not competing against one other; we're competing with a small group of friends to inspire one another to greater heights. We're on the same team.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Eccl 4:12 NIV
 
Check it out - Here are some examples Kent gave me - existing organizations experienced with "Face Time." You can do the same thing without the entry fee but sometimes the experience is worth the price to speed up the process. I found the video testimonies especially interesting.
Kent Humphreys - FCCI see their summary
Rick Miller - CBMC see excellent videos; note wives' perspective
Marc Ottestad - BBL Forum see their Video
Buck Jacobs - C12 Group see their video
 
Love,
 
John & Sue