The SIAFU Guidebook

Appendix 145

Benefits of Burden-oriented Groups A number of clear benefits arise from organizing our cell life around the particular burdens of the members to edify and serve. Burdens may be developed through prayer, involvement, and study.

1. We affirm the usefulness and importance of each Chapter member’s heart concerns.

2. We allow for the freedom of the Spirit to raise up new burdens, visions, and opportunities in the midst of our Chapter.

3. We encourage each person to take their interests, desires, and intuitions seriously in regards to what they believe God is calling them to do. 4. We affirm the biblical truth that every Christian has gifts and a calling, and that we can be united in our use of different gifts, roles, and responsibilities in the body.

5. We maximize the potential we have for everyone to find a place of belonging and ministry outreach in our body.

6. We can easily organize the service projects of our Chapter around the creative passions of our members, rather than arbitrarily around age characteristics, marital status, or some other criteria. 7. We multiply our ability to meet needs both within our body and in our community by encouraging all members to find outlets for the burdens and desires they have for ministry and support. 8. We build Christian community among our Chapter members by finding through our projects a concrete outlet for their service, witness and ministry. 9. We give opportunity for people with unique and different burdens to attempt to generate interest and support for their activities and concerns.