A Promising Cloud on Our Horizon

by Ronald “Dee” Vaughan, Associate

Elijah, a prophetic meteorologist, predicted a heavy rain. He sent his servant to look toward the sea to observe the storm’s arrival. Six times, the servant returned to his master with the report, “There is nothing there.” On his seventh trip, the servant observed “a cloud as small as a man’s hand.” Elijah knew that the rain his people needed would follow this first little cloud.

I identify with that story in reading the spiritual climate of the church I serve. Ours is a genuinely loving fellowship that faithfully worships and serves together, but we have longed for a rain of the Spirit that would bring new life and growth among us. During my decade of leadership and for years before, the church sought that new beginning by many of the usual means: new staff, new programs, facility improvements, and clearer vision. Each of these steps was a positive one for the church, but none of them brought the renewal we craved. We looked to the horizon many times, but didn’t see the evidence of a God-given new beginning. But, I’m grateful to share, on our seventh trip, we made a simple profound discovery that has brought a promising cloud to our horizon. That rediscovered truth is that making disciples is the life blood of the church.

We, like most congregations, have preached and taught about discipleship, but were not pursuing it in the setting in which it could best flourish. Sermons usually involve one proclaimer and many listeners. Programs focus on an agenda more than on the individual growth of participants. Our promising cloud arose when I offered to lead a small group in an intensive discipleship experience. Eight church members signed up to make the journey. The group was grounded in a shared covenant, a solemn promise to engage the material, prepare for each meeting, share openly about successes and struggles, keep participant sharing confidential, and seriously consider leading a similar group in the future. Participants rose to meet the challenges of these expectations. Group members averaged attending twenty-five of our twenty-six sessions. At one point in our journey, I offered group members the opportunity to lead a session as preparation for leading a group of their own. Everyone in the group volunteered to lead a session. In the best way possible, I’d worked myself out of a job.

The success of that group experience hasn’t yet increased church attendance or membership, but this group is a promising cloud on our horizon. They have experienced the joy of following Jesus in daily discipleship and are eager to lead others in that same path. I truly believe God is sending us rain.