How long do I give this thing anyway?

People...it's not that the world takes all kinds, it's just that we got'm. God calls all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds through Jesus to seek The Kingdom & to join with others who are also called. And the Bible is definitely peppered with teachings for believers to put each other first, serve, reach out, do good to all people, especially to those who are also believers, etc...

So how do we handle it when we are called to, as a part of the local body that we commit to, are asked to join together in certain kinds of groups based on ministries or age groupings or whatever and grow and serve together? So often we are tempted by our own desires to just be with the people we naturally want to be with or we are goaded by the loudest squeaky wheels among us to do the easiest thing (be in a 'worship service') rather than work at being in groups that really challenge us to grow.

What have you experienced with churches and groups 'at church'?

Given that artificially created groups of any size in a church go through good and bad times, what are the good things you've experienced with groups? ...what have been the downsides? ...what parts have challenged you to grow? ...what parts have you been tempted to take the easy road out on?

How do you interpret some of those teachings from Paul about putting each other first and serving each other? (Can't remember any? Read through Galatians 6, Ephesians 4-6, and Philippians 2 as a brief reminder.) What do those mean for your walk with God and with God's people?