Get, Grow, and Go. 

These are the “Three Gs” of what we at ICF Rotterdam Noord call “Missional Communities”.

It’s certainly not a concept or name we came up with but it’s one we find appealing for our congregation.

These groups are our church’s way of putting foot washing into action. We find they give us a good structure to be encouraged by and reminded of the goal that Jesus set.

Get Together

The first G of these groups is “Get Together” or, simply, fellowship.

This always looks different but most of the time it takes the shape of a regular meal shared at one of the homes of our group members. This communal emphasis is important as it was in a communal setting (a dinner at that!) that Jesus gave this charge to His followers. 

We’ve already said that Christianity isn’t a spectator sport and it certainly isn’t one you play alone.

The power of community keeps us motivated and encouraged to fix our eyes on the goal of Christ. We’re deeply social creatures so it should come as no surprise that some of our best transformation happens in community.

Grow Together

This moves us to the second G, “Grow Together”.

Growing together involves studying the Way of Jesus in this communal setting. When we do so, we get a plethora of different experiences and personalities when it comes to following Christ. Jesus chose 12 disciples from different backgrounds for a reason, He knew, when practiced rightly, that all those perspectives could enrich one another greatly.

“Iron sharpens iron,” as it is written in Proverbs 27v17. 

Let’s not forget that the community of the 12 disciples was also one of learning and growing more in Christ’s character.

By studying God’s Word and the Way of Jesus, we’re better equipped to understand the reality we’ve been placed into. When we do so, we have a greater chance of catching our blindspots (and if you don’t think you have any blindspots, congratulations, you’ve just discovered one!).

Though we all profess faith in Christ we must also be guarded from becoming an echo chamber, communal study helps this.

Go Together

These things grant a great foundation for the third G, “Go Together”.

My missional community goes into the streets of our neighborhood and spends an hour or two picking up the litter there.

It’s a small gesture but important all the same. 

We live in a busy city, and as a result, a seemingly endless stream of garbage returns to the sidewalks by our homes and shops. And just as we notice the buildup of all this litter so also do we notice when it stops. 

It reminds me of one story in particular.

Last year, during one of our first outings, a woman saw what I was doing and approached me.  

She thanked me for taking the time to do this and asked what got us out here in the first place. 

I told her that we come from a church down the road and believe that helping the community is in line with the teachings of Jesus.

The woman paused, then said, with trademark Dutch sincerity, “That’s good advertising for a church.”

Even though I recoiled at the word “advertising”, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Not only was it a funny comment but it was also so encouraging! She associated our care for the community with the love of Christ.

That’s the goal! Our foot washing should not be restricted to the walls of the Church after all.

The comedian Steve Martin famously said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” To appropriate that I’d say, “Be so loving they can’t ignore you.” This is what Jesus was getting at when He got on the ground and washed some sandy feet.

Because the Gospel isn’t just to be spoken, it’s to be shown.

What do you think about our missional community approach? Any suggestions for us? What does your church do? We’d love to hear from you!

Come back tomorrow as we close out this foot washing series.

For now, be blessed.

Click here for more information about ICF Rotterdam Noord’s missional communities.

Jon

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