During a demonstration
in a Small Christian Community (SCC) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya three members
separately tried to stabilize an African clay cooking pot with a rounded bottom
on a table top.  They failed.  Having no flat bottom on which to rest, the pot
would simply roll to one side.  Going on their hands and knees they tried the
same thing on the floor and failed again.  Eventually each person added a small
stone at the base of the pot until three stones together finally stabilized it. 
The pot now stood upright.  Then they turned to SCC members and simply asked,
"What did you see?"  Small group conversation started and then an open forum.  A
wide range of keen observations and rich reflections flowed from the group. “The
church is the pot. The three stones are the priests, the religious and the laity
which have complementary roles.” “The church is the pot.  It is supported by the
people, by Small Christian Communities from the grassroots.” “The stones
represent faith, hope and charity.”  “Everyone has a contribution to make to the
church.” “Conflict and tension are part of being church.”  “It is only when we
get down on our hands and knees that we do the work of being the church.”  “The
stones suggest the Trinity that supports the whole church.”  “The pot is the one
God and the three stones are the three Persons of the Trinity – Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.”  

    Soon the SCC
members together had created The Parable of the Pot.