Life on Mars ContentAn “Old Stone” in Community Group
By Mike O’Dea, M.H. Theology Response Team
Lee knew I was a Christian because he could see that I always had a Bible at my workstation and there was usually a Bible verse stapled to my corkboard. When Lee began asking me questions about the Bible and Christianity I decided to buy him a “Red Letter Edition” of the NIV Bible. To this day I do not know if I was a seed planter, a seed waterer, or a harvester. Anyway, Lee finally asked me what church I attended. He soon began attending Mars Hill.
He called me one day and said, “Mike, I have never been involved in any Christian event or group but I would like to check out a community group. Would you go with me if I pick one out because I would be so intimitated if I went alone.” I said, “Sure Lee”. When I hung up, I thought to myself that more than likely I would be intimitated more that Lee because I had already figured out that 64 year olds were an extreme minority at Mars Hill.
Lee and I went to Sally and Andrew’s group in the Fremont area in April of 2005. Sure enough, there were about 15 under 25 year olds at Sally’s apartment. I will never forget that group of folks. I expected to be treated as an “outsider” because of the age difference. I figured I would just stick around long enough until Lee felt comfortable and then split. However, it soon became apparent to me that God used Lee to direct me to the young folks. Sometimes, in a community group situation, a question comes up that seems to stump everybody. I noticed that when that happened, about 15 pairs of eyes would move to where I was sitting - expecting something profound from the “Old Stone” (This was pastor Mark’s term for old folks that were still useful according to his interpretation of the book of Nehemiah). Apparently, on occasion, I did say something profound because these young people seemed to appreciate me. Lee was baptized at Golden Gardens in August of 2005 along with Michael and Kate from the same community group.
We had grown to 26 people sitting on the floor of that tiny little apartment. We “replicated” and 13 of us began a new group at my home in Crownhill that same August. Again we grew to 22 people and we sent another group off to Ballard of 11 folks in April of 2006. In February of 2007 we moved the group from my house (taking a break) to Peter’s place near Gold’s Gym on Aurora. We are hovering at about 16-18 people so a “replication” is soon to happen.
Getting involved in the lives of so many young people has been an absolute God sent blessing to me these past two years. It has kept me younger and given me a sense of purpose that I have never experienced before. Many of these young people do not have Christian parents. Or, if they do, many of them are a long way from home. There is a huge need for more “old stones” to plug into the lives of these beautiful people. I cringe when someone over 50 tells me they are looking for a community group at Mars Hill of “old timers”. If you are 50 or over, do yourself a favor and find a group of younger people. You will soon realize that is where God needs you to serve. WANTED: About 150 “old stones” - one for each community group.
Amen?
Amen!
Amen!
What happens to the groups left without an Old Stone after replication? Have they flourished?
I’ve been involved in Community Groups through my church for over 12 years and have only had an “old stone” once. It was great! My church also has a shortage of people over 50.
Amy
That is a great question. One reason why I wrote this blog was the hope that some “old stones” would read it and be motivated to become involved
in community groups containing younger people.
At Mars Hill our groups continue to thrive and grow but there is still an obvious need for experienced Christians to join in because they
could really help the younger Christians to mature in Christ so much sooner. Here I am in
my sixties and I am enjoying life and experiencing
more joy than ever. I pray that joy might befall
my 50+ peers.
Mike,
You call them “Old Stones”, I like to call them “Grey Hairs”. You’re probably laughing at that, but you get the picture.
You are an inspiration to me and I hope to other grey-hairs as well. You have seen young, church-attending folk at MH as opportunities to share your love, home, and wisdom. I pray that many would come to change, grow into, and follow that mold.
Yes brother….Amen!
Mike,
I appreciate your encouragement to the older wiser generation. Being one of the “kids” here at Mars Hill, I have been in my share of young, single community groups and wished over and over again that there were some people around who had more wisdom than the average 25 year old. I had to go out searching for someone that I could look to for wisdom because there was no one in the community groups I attended. I too pray that some of the seasoned veteran’s at Mars Hill would seek out the younger people with a desire to invest in their lives and help them grow!
Michael
The reason I used the term “Old Stones” is because Pastor Mark, in one of his early sermons in Nehemiah, mentioned that the Hebrews had used some of the “old stones” that were laying around to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem. He went on to say that there are some useful old stones (meaning old folks) serving at Mars Hill but that Mars Hill needs many more “Old Stones” to again become useful. I pray for that.
amen.
We need more “old stones” in community groups. “A wise man seeks counsel” and what better place to seek and share counsel than community groups.
I perhaps a moderately old stone (50). I have been in a community group and enjoyed it - not sure if anyone looked to me but I had fun.
I did try to get involved in another one but when I said I was a 50 you single male, the leader of the 3 - 4 young couple group did not seem enthused and this did not go anywhere.
So I think it all depends on the group.
This is good to know—that someone values wisdom that comes with age and experience and growing in the ways of the Lord.
This gives me an idea that there might be a place for me to contribute to the lives of younger believers, as I am an old stone well over 50—but without the gray hair yet.