by Josh Liu

Without providing an exhaustive treatise on the subject, I would suggest that the use of affinity groups could be an appropriate and effective means of discipleship in the local church. At Lighthouse Bible Church San Diego, our general affinity groups include the Children’s Ministry (infants to elementary age children), Lumos (youth), College Life (undergraduate students), Single Life (post-undergraduates), and Grace Life (married couples and families). These affinity groups are set up to better minister to the issues and experiences unique to each stage of life. Each group has its own staff, schedule of events, goals, and so on. While continually improving, I believe that Lighthouse does a great job in affinity ministries without usurping the unity, identity, and centrality of the local church body. Having said all this, I wish to encourage you to pursue the one another commands with those beyond your personal affinity group.

Last December, I wrote a brief article, entitled “One Another-ring,” reflecting on Cesar’s preaching of 1 John 2:10 and the test of love. In it, I exhorted you to actively love one another, and therefore prove to be Christ’s disciple. Now, I encourage you to carry out the one another commands with those outside of your regular affinity group, with those perhaps less convenient, less familiar with, less physically in common with. My hope is that you do not put up a division between affinity groups, which bars you from fellowshipping with, serving, and loving others consistently and frequently outside your affinity group. May you seek to minister the gospel of Christ to the whole church.

As an example, a married couple–from Grace Life–hosted a Valentine’s Day hangout for the youth ministry early February. They opened up their apartment, provided dinner, and hosted some games with the youth. Although this couple has established friendships with the youth before, it was still a fun time spending an evening together and developing friendships. Invest into each other’s lives; share the gospel; encourage one another with the truth and promises of Scripture; be creative!