Contagious Community-Based Upon Acts 2:42-47

Thirty years ago this year, a revolution was taking place in the suburbs of Chicago. A movement so historic, the effects of it are still being felt to this day, and that movement is called the Willow Creek Association. Willow Creek is the nations largest nondenominational movement with thousands of member churches and regular attendance in the 20,000 range for a typical weekend in main church located in the Chicago suburb. What is amazing, is that the very first service for the Willow Creek Community Church was only attended by 125 people. That is the approximate attendance for Dover Place Christian Church for the same time frame. Why does one church have multiple services to account for 20,000 people, while another church is barely able to see 60 people on a Sunday? Well, there is no simple answer. Vision, leadership, and age certainly figure into the equation. On the whole, Willow Creek is the embodiment of the Acts passage.

Building a contagious church is something that takes years and energy to implement at its greatest point. Being a contagious church also takes people who are willing to share their faith in an open matter with those who are willing to listen. More importantly, sharing of the faith is done in a way that shows the other person how God is moving through you. Clear communication is essential when it comes to professing ones faith. The last thing I want to hear from a Christian is this...Why do you believe in Jesus? "Because, I always have." That doesn't give the greatest insight on why you believe the way you do. This message is an exciting message filled with prophecy and hope for our future as a church.

Bill Hybels, who is the founder of Willow Creek makes this assessment of the church today. He says, "If you have an airport and planes are not coming to the airport, people assume there is a problem. If you have a business, but not receiving customers; people say there is a problem. So why is it that when no new believers are coming to church, and churches are closing their doors on a daily basis do people assume there is not a problem. There is a major problem!" Friends, that is the grim realty that we at Dover Place face on a daily basis. If we don't minister to people who are seeking out Christ, we will be one of those churches that closes its doors. At the same time, we are also needed to minister to those who have never known the wonderful power of Christ. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he left us with the great commission, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age."

So, where do we begin to become a contagious church? There are five steps I want to highlight for you and encourage each and every one of you to take note of these five steps and implement them into your own personal life of evangelism. The first step is the act of prayer. The Apostle Paul in Romans encourages Christ's followers to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, and sharing with God's people who are in need." Asking God for forgiveness of your own soul is never enough, as there are other sinners in this world who need your forgiveness through God. Each week, we spend a great deal of time focused around the prayers of the community, as we have the ability to lift each other up, but also those who don't understand God the way we understand God. As a group of voices lifting many up, the miracle of life is celebrated yet again.

The second step in becoming a contagious church is the gift of caring for others. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that people should not hide their light under a bowl, instead, they put that lamp on the stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. Sharing light has been important to this service as we bask in candlelight each time we gather. At the same time, we are the light to others in darkness. Some of the easiest steps in caring for others starts with you giving them some of your personal time. Meeting somebody for coffee, or even giving them a call on the phone can break the levee of silence for some. When I was in college, I would receive one-line e-mails from Bert (my stepfather), and it made all the difference. If you don't have time, share some of your wealth with somebody by buying the person a soda and conversing, or even running an errand for them. Do all of these things out of the kindness of your own heart and don't look for anything in return.

The third step in becoming a contagious church is through sharing with others. Sharing your personal walk of faith with others is powerful stuff. Talk about how God has moved through you to others. Some of us have stories tat will change the lives of those around us. Most people maintain shallow relationships for some reason, but I am encouraging you deepen those relationships even more. Bill Hybels points out another important point in his success in building contagious community in that, "Far too many Christians have been anesthetized into thinking that if they simply live out their faith in an open and consistent fashion, the people around them will see it, want it, and somehow figure it out for themselves." People need real positive connections to other people who struggle with life themselves, but also have a strong faith.

Step four is the step dealing with compassion. You have to be able to listen to the person who is hurting or dealing with the issue of faith. Many people will ask you questions that you will not be able to answer, but don't let hem go without referring them to someone who can answer their questions. Also, you may want to seek out the answer for the question with the person who is asking it. This leads me to step five in contagious community, which is clear communication. Everyone as to be able to state what they believe in a clear, concise manner. Take a stand for Christ and explore your faith with others.

Being a contagious community of faith begins with you. Make it a regular habit of inviting friends to WOW or the Sunday service. Talk to your friends about their lives and try to help them through situations, but go the extra mile for them. Take the time to give someone a call and check up on them over the week. Step up your habits of communicating with one another through the week, whether through e-mail, or even meeting up for coffee. Spread the word of God, not only through your actions, but also through your life. Reach out to those who are seeking a different life for themselves. A life filled with love, inspiration, and peace. Set your soul on fire for Christ, and let his love spread freely over all those you come into contact with. Find peace within yourself, in order to give peace to others in your life.