Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
The Oregon seeker was told, “Go home… build community right where you are… grow faith right under your feet,” even in a non-Anabaptist church, while warning about the temptation to stay in an Anabaptist “bubble”; how do you discern when to relocate for community versus stay and “love people well” where you are, and what concrete steps would it take this month to build real community and costly witness without becoming controversial or self-righteous?
Another way to ask: How do you know when to move to find community versus stay and love people where you are? What are a few specific things you could do this month to build real community and a bold witness without being proud or trying to start fights?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests discernment includes weighing the blessing of like-minded fellowship against God’s call to “grow faith where you are,” building community locally without pride or controversy. Concrete steps include humble, clear communication, serving where you are, and practicing costly obedience (like nonresistance) in ordinary relationships.
- Conference story: Oregon seeker wanted direction; an Anabaptist man affirmed him but advised: “go home… build community right where he was instead of going to look for it.”
- Principle: “growing faith right under your feet… If God has given you something, share it and build right where you are.”
- She cautions it shouldn’t be “in a controversial or conflicting way.”
- She warns of pride: people can feel “I’m doing things right and y’all are wrong,” so she urges to “walk in humility” and “speak the truth in love.”
- Bubble warning: having like-minded community is a “blessing,” but “the temptation… is to stay in your bubble.”
- Examples of staying: women in an unaffiliated Methodist church “thriving,” and a couple serving locals for decades—main lesson: “just to love people… give them Jesus.”