Two times a week, I’m hooked up to an oxygen machine and bike pedals for thirty minutes while I stare at ‘unfamiliar’ faces scrolling on a digital screen (not to worry my friends, this is only part of an overall wellness program). From there I move to a massage table with deep rotating bars that roll up and down my back, loosening and preparing me for the Dr. to ‘snap’ me into shape. I confess that since I spend most of my days sucking air and looking at unfamiliar faces, I really fail to see what benefit that will ever have for me, but I stay engaged in the process for the benefit of that glorious 10 minutes on the massage table. Unashamedly, I place a cover over my eyes and roll away to some distant shore. Except today, the next patient hooked up to the oxygen and bicycle seemed to have a hitch in her gitty-up and the wheels started squeaking. It apparently didn’t bother anyone but me, but I lay there mumbling to myself that a can of WD-‐40 would work wonders.
WD-40, a wonderful bi-product of the NASA space program. WD stands for Water Displacement; 40 means the first 39 formulas didn’t work. That’s correct folks, your hard earned tax dollars at work through 39 failed experiments. But aren’t you glad they did, who among us hasn’t benefitted from the blessed #40, no home is complete without it!
We’re quite comfortable at Open Door with ‘if at first you don’t succeed, then try, try, try again’. There is no place that value can be witnessed more than in our LIfe Group Ministry. If you’re fortunate to have been a part of our first attempt, Formula 12, say hallelujer…cause it’s gone! And there have been a few variations since then.
I’ve been in the process of meeting one-to-one with each of our Life Group Leaders; I am nearly speechless with the quality, dedication and spiritual maturity these men and women possess. They’ve shared stories full of life, community and growth; I’ve gleaned ideas, encouragement and inspiration. And I’m more convinced than ever before that experiencing this wonderful life in Christ with a small group of people is the way Jesus modeled discipleship and encouraged us to go and do likewise. Not one single formula that we’ve tried to date was a waste of time and we may well have found one that reflects ODM’s heart and people.
Deana Kennedy
Co-Pastor and Life Groups Director
Loved the story both from a spiritual point and the intelligent point of view..thank you for sharin.
I am thankful for the opportunity to fellowship with other followers of Christ in the ODM small group environment.
I am new to ODM and the small group process. But in this short time I can testify to the support of the growth of my relationship with Yahweh through his Son in the small group environment. It is the process of meeting and sharing our experiences in Jesus’ name, that in my humble opinion, is what makes these groups wonderful. It is in sharing the unconditional love of God that we support one another in our journey.
Adaptive processes like the one you have described for the Water Displacement formula are great and I believe necessary for us humans. Necessary because they show us our limitations. And great because we reach for what we believe is true and find confirmation even if it is after many tries.
I know organizationally the process of small groups is always evolving. It is always an adaptive process. Without organization it is impossible to even have the meetings.
I thank you again not only for making the small groups possible but also for always adapting to what God puts in you heart as guidance.
Loved the story….made me laugh. I am so glad we are always evolving. We have such an AWWWWWWWWWWWEEESSSOOOOOMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEE church.
Great story with fun facts. I wondered with much curiosity where the beginning was going. Loved it. Thanks.