legacy

Vision for a Committed Spiritual Fellowship within the Church

The members of a church should be seen as human resources—springs of various kinds of added value—for the benefit of the Body of Christ. Many gifted individuals can offer their talents in service to the church, whether locally or nationally. It would be a great blessing to identify and utilize such people in fields like music, counseling, and mentoring. An honest leader will admit he is not an encyclopedic spirit, and can greatly benefit from the giftedness of those around him.

Starting with a Core Group

Everything begins with a committed group of young people—men and women. The younger and more enthusiastic, the better. Their passion can make them bold dreamers, more involved in the world of ideas than in the material distractions of life. These individuals should be fully committed to the inner values of the group. Discipline and accountability are essential; those who do not adhere to the group’s standards may need to be removed. There must be no financial interest or personal gain at stake. Yet, a financial perspective is important: the stronger members should help and support the weaker ones, with love and wisdom. A network should be formed to minimize costs and maximize mutual benefit.

Purpose and Commitment

The young men should be determined to serve Christ and His Church more than themselves. While it is natural for young people to seek personal growth and support their families, they should prioritize spiritual goals, character formation, and unity within the group. Their moral integrity must be preserved, and mutual accountability should be practiced. Everyone should watch over one another and speak up with love when moral or practical errors arise.

Structure and Rhythm

The group should meet every two weeks to share their personal and spiritual struggles. These meetings should not focus on Scriptural discussions, but rather on evaluating personal discipline, real-life responsibilities, and how well members deal with their everyday challenges. Members must accept criticism with humility and commit to amending their ways.

A Rule of Life and Continuity

With the help of mature elders, the group should create a wise philosophy or rule of life—a set of founding principles to live by, improve over time, and pass on to the next generation. These core principles must remain unaltered. The group should be multiplied after ten or twenty years, when older members form new cells and mentor younger ones.

Spiritual Practices

Members should pray and read Scripture daily in solitude, following traditional devotional practices. They should also use commentaries during their personal quiet times. Bible study together should occur biweekly, and learning Hebrew or Greek should be encouraged, as it opens up fresh insights into the Scriptures.

Each member should tailor their reading to their own interests, but focus on a few seminal authors, avoiding the temptation to read endlessly or superficially. In-depth knowledge of a few fields and thinkers is more valuable than broad but shallow familiarity. Memorizing dozens of Scripture passages—not for boasting, but to exercise the mind and spiritual heart—should also be part of their commitment.

Covenant and Community Involvement

Members should make a solemn commitment—an oath of allegiance—to their group. This should not be legalistic, but a sign of deep responsibility. The group should be effervescent: active, visible, and engaged in the life of the wider community. They must be aware of their gifts and willing to use them for the benefit of the weaker vessels.

Balance of Spirituality and Real Life

The group should thrive spiritually through constant interaction and encouragement from both peers and elders. Unlike monastic movements, this fellowship emphasizes spiritual development alongside active participation in everyday life. Members should respect the basic rules of society—answering emails on time, starting meetings punctually, and behaving with civility and professionalism.

Final Principles

The group should pursue inspiration and excellence, while avoiding super-spirituality or pride. As emphasized elsewhere, members must remain available for the benefit of those around them, cultivating a life of service, humility, and intentional growth.