Todd has on a regular weekend 400-450 children, approximately 200 volunteers and a few coordinator to help oversee that. He started in 1992 as a facilities person or "building and grounds"...everything from cleaning toilets to cutting the grass. The whole time he was doing those things he was involved in ministry: both children's and youth.
At one point Glad Tidings needed a youth pastor and Todd stepped in to fill the position for a little while. Todd was doing the youth and his wife was working with children's. He did such a good job that the board asked him to come on part time. He did youth ministry for about 5 times...during this time they moved to a new location and a new building; with this move the church doubled in size. Around 1999 he decided that his heart and his time would be better fit for children's ministry.
Both Todd and his wife are FT paid staff at the church! Since Todd grew up in the church there was a lot of trust and respect that helped with him doing such a good job.
This class is about outreach and discipleship. Todd does not do too many events but when they are done it is done very well..they try to make it as exciting and fun as possible! When kids want to come to church parents come to church!
Mobilizing teams to do awesome events is what makes these event a success. Last year they did playstation 3 (a video game theme). They have a group of individuals who get together and brainstorm and throw ideas around and then they will make a game plan. Pastor Todd is not involved as much as the think tank crew.
One evening to avoid closing the two year olds class Todd decided to do it..there were about 10-20 at a time. One week they are out in the playland area and they found a diaper full of poop.
One of the difficulties with children's ministry is trying to recruit leaders. In the past there was a lot of begging. After a while they decided that this would not work. They decided to rearrange the whole concept of children's ministry. Instead of one person taking over a whole class...they recruited individuals to do certain things such as story telling, or preparing the snack, or praying with the kids, or applying biblical principles. After this happened, they had at least 40 new people who wanted to help out.
In reference to this there is heavy background checks. To get to know the person and some of their history at other churches etc. The goal is to keep the children safe.
A lot of the times with children's ministry it is always about kids; but Todd began to think "what would happen if we could minister to the parents". If you equip the parents they will come! The event is called Family Fusion: one of the main goals is to help the parents and the kids learn how to interact in regards to spiritual truth. New parents who get saved do not even know how to talk to their kids about Spiritual things. A main emphasis with this event is drama presentation.
Outreach is good but discipleship is even better! In order to do this it is essential that parents are discipled. The church cannot do it alone! There is a curriculum they use and provide to parents for $10 that help bridge this gap. since they started doing this he has been receiving emails thanking him for the devotional materials. It is called the 252 curriculum from Andy Stanley. They come out monthly. Additionally, they use "the refrigerator door" it is considered to be some important things to keep in front of your family throughout the week.
The children's ministry goes up to 5th grade. For the longest time they just assumed that the transition would work; but began to realize that it was not happening they way they thought it would. Part of this involved coaching the parents through what was going to happen and what to expect when their child moves on to other grades.
Communication is key at church and in the ministry..communication with the parents is even more essential. On one occasion a kid by the name of Brandon who was in fifth grade got hit by a car...he went to the hospital and ended up dying. That Wednesday night they decided to cancel the original service and hold a memorial service for the students. They brought in church counselors to help. They talked to the kids about death and how to deal with that. They had the students write on a card and they stuck it in a balloon and had a time when they released the balloons.
A great place to get started with a kids ministry is by building teams.. Gathering people, talking with people, getting people different then yourself. If the ministry starts to grow you will not be able to handle and maintain it alone. You need a team! People are not looking for a show; they are looking for relationships. One of the biggest things about starting a team is being a leader...a leader that recognizes where he or she lack ability but also knows where they are competent. One who is not afraid of other abilities and talents etc.
Whatever you do...do it well: people know when it is half done. It is important to remember that they did not start out like they are now! The goal is to do the best you can with what you have! Make things fun...meetings...important discussions etc. Once you build teams it is important to remember to meet withe the teams. Honor their time and make it easy for them to attend those meetings: child care and food!
Well, that was pretty good information: In the future when I am at a church and we are planning leadership stuff and structural and organizational aspects and also ideas I will be looking back at these notes and also trying to contact Glad Tidings!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Unchurched Friend #3
This is late but I wanted to post it anyway...my friend finally got around to answering my questions! I am glad that he is doing well, so even though they are kind of late he had a good excuse!
This is from one of my old friends that I used to run around with in High School. Needless to say we both got caught up in some pretty negative things! Fortunately, we both made it out...but not without scars and consequences!
Here are his responses to the questions I asked him:
1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Many younger people complain of boredom, don't know how you fix
that. I enjoy the slower pace (hiking, camping, reading, etc.)
2. Are you actively attending any church?
No
3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Environmental concerns, physical/mental well being, senseless
discrimination and violence
4. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?
Can't speak for most people, I personally don't because there are
many different sects and religions and many of them believe their way is the only way, how do you know which is right I feel I have spiritual faith in a higher power but not in a religious sense
5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
A knowledgeable leader of the church, welcoming and open minded members and overall welcoming atmosphere
6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Be open minded and listen well, knowledge of your faith, have a
sincere desire to help people and share the messages of your faith
This is from one of my old friends that I used to run around with in High School. Needless to say we both got caught up in some pretty negative things! Fortunately, we both made it out...but not without scars and consequences!
Here are his responses to the questions I asked him:
1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Many younger people complain of boredom, don't know how you fix
that. I enjoy the slower pace (hiking, camping, reading, etc.)
2. Are you actively attending any church?
No
3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Environmental concerns, physical/mental well being, senseless
discrimination and violence
4. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?
Can't speak for most people, I personally don't because there are
many different sects and religions and many of them believe their way is the only way, how do you know which is right I feel I have spiritual faith in a higher power but not in a religious sense
5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
A knowledgeable leader of the church, welcoming and open minded members and overall welcoming atmosphere
6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Be open minded and listen well, knowledge of your faith, have a
sincere desire to help people and share the messages of your faith
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Brian Norr Mountaintop Family Center Church
Planted a church in Mountain Top PA...upon first arrival they did a "felt needs survey" by posting a survey in the newspaper and offering free miniature golf to any one who brought in the survey! They found that the community felt that there needed to be more family stuff specifically for younger kids. After some brain storming and thought they decided that the trick would be "speed stacking".
This is a nation wide event! The target age group is 2nd-4th graders...this is the biggest group of responders although older students who excel stay with it! To get this thing going and casting vision for it is the fact that it is great for right brain left brained thinking!
You can get these cups from all kinds of places...Wal-mart, Target, etc.
After doing the assessment he realized that he and his wife realized that they did not have any friends or even loose associations with people who do not go to church. Through certain venues...coaching soccer, cup stacking, etc many relationships are formed and as a result there are several families in the church right now that began to come because of these relationships.
When the church was just getting off the ground it began attracting church people...although this was not completely bad but the church people came in with preconceived notions and expectations about how a church should be. Needless to say the individuals did not hang around very long.
An additional hang up was not being able to get in to the school systems. After a lot of run around and being ignored by the public school system legal action was threatened and eventually they were allowed into the public school system.
About 80-90% of the church were not involved in a church before Mountaintop Family Center Church. Leading this kind of church is much different than leading the traditional church. Most of the time the people do not realize what or how to do it! Things need to be spelled out about how and what to do and when.
One of the biggest challenges faced ministry wise is the fact that you give and you give and you give; and the number of people that come back to bite the hand that provided food is astounding. It is difficult opening your heart and your life to someone in need with the thought in the back of your mind they might come back and bite you.
This is a nation wide event! The target age group is 2nd-4th graders...this is the biggest group of responders although older students who excel stay with it! To get this thing going and casting vision for it is the fact that it is great for right brain left brained thinking!
You can get these cups from all kinds of places...Wal-mart, Target, etc.
After doing the assessment he realized that he and his wife realized that they did not have any friends or even loose associations with people who do not go to church. Through certain venues...coaching soccer, cup stacking, etc many relationships are formed and as a result there are several families in the church right now that began to come because of these relationships.
When the church was just getting off the ground it began attracting church people...although this was not completely bad but the church people came in with preconceived notions and expectations about how a church should be. Needless to say the individuals did not hang around very long.
An additional hang up was not being able to get in to the school systems. After a lot of run around and being ignored by the public school system legal action was threatened and eventually they were allowed into the public school system.
About 80-90% of the church were not involved in a church before Mountaintop Family Center Church. Leading this kind of church is much different than leading the traditional church. Most of the time the people do not realize what or how to do it! Things need to be spelled out about how and what to do and when.
One of the biggest challenges faced ministry wise is the fact that you give and you give and you give; and the number of people that come back to bite the hand that provided food is astounding. It is difficult opening your heart and your life to someone in need with the thought in the back of your mind they might come back and bite you.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Bill Ellis Riverside Community Church
Bill planted a church in Penn Hills, they were renting in rented space for about 4 years and then purchased. Bill says that he did it the old fashioned way or the hard way. There was a core group to help get the church off of the ground but the pastor that was leading, after his two year commitment, left. That was about the time that Bill came along...it all started from about the size of a small group. There was door to door invitations and advertising in the paper...when it all came down to it it was relationships that began to develop the church and really grow it.
They were meeting in a Masonic temple for a little while, and things were tough in the beginning. Once they moved into a Lutheran church things got a little better but when they finally moved to Oakmont and they had their own building that seemed to be a pivotal point in the history of the church. The church that they meet in now is very traditional in appearance, in fact it is an old Presybeterian church built in the late 1800's.
One of the foundational philosopohies at Riverside Community Church is intentional missionary mentality. It is a go and be as opposed to come and see. He does not want to focus drawing people to the church but drawing the church to the culture.
One of the ways that Riverside brings the Word to the community is by taking VBS into a sister community that is lower in the economic status. They worked with the mayor in both communities and asked "what can we do to serve our community?" Since there is a great population of elderly individuals and meals on wheels is so big they decided to get involved with that...not as a church but as staff members of the church! they take turns; switching among people on Tuesdays.
From the powerpoint presentation:
It is most likely the very contentedness of the church that works agains the church. The church gets "happy" they way they are.
This kind of missional view is difficult to work out. The struggle with the church is that it can easily become about attracting people instead of being a missional church "us going".
Some things that exist in every church that works against the purpose for which it comes into existence:
Many times we help our church by helping them believe instead of helping them follow. If it is only about believing then the Gospel becomes a sales pitch.
Although I agree that we need to follow Jesus I am wondering if we can expect people to follow something that they do not believe in.
The nation of America is not the Kingdom of God. When the church puts all of its energy into telling people to vote a certain way or certain political party we end up missing the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be equated with specific rules and moral regulations. Christians side with Republicans because they claim that they do not support homosexual marriages or abortion; however in the same respect we end up choosing sides because of these issues and end up missing important issues that only "those liberals" care about. The church needs to be the conscience of the culture! Christians should not need laws to and rules put in place by governemtn and political parties to fulfill the Gospel of Jesus.
Shane Claiborne Irresistible Revolution
Greg Boyd Myth of a Christian Nation
How do these principles and these philosophies flesh themselves out in everday life and ministry?
Once this message of missional thinking began to be preached in the pulpit etc. DNA was reproduced in small groups by investing time and service for relay for life, meals on wheels, salvation army, etc. Students do missions projects not just missions trips. Giving people a taste of how the other world lives. Sending teams to Louisiana to help restore things. A fifth grade class bought Llamas to provide money and milk for other nations. When you do these things and it is a part of of regular service to the community and the paper catches wind of it and you end up in the news paper then the greater community begins to realize the makeup and DNA of the church...which is the body of Christ...which are individuals incarnated by Jesus Christ. When we do Jesus things (the stuff that Jesus did) people fall in love with Him!
For more info on Riverside Community Church see PEACE handout...from Rick Warrens PEACE plan. Also see RCC Missions Goal & Strategy
As a church what are the right questions to ask?
Amazing! I can see how many people would be turned off by what he says...he does seem to be a little more liberal than many would want. I think he has some pretty incredible views that are definitely reflected by the Gospel of Jesus!
They were meeting in a Masonic temple for a little while, and things were tough in the beginning. Once they moved into a Lutheran church things got a little better but when they finally moved to Oakmont and they had their own building that seemed to be a pivotal point in the history of the church. The church that they meet in now is very traditional in appearance, in fact it is an old Presybeterian church built in the late 1800's.
One of the foundational philosopohies at Riverside Community Church is intentional missionary mentality. It is a go and be as opposed to come and see. He does not want to focus drawing people to the church but drawing the church to the culture.
One of the ways that Riverside brings the Word to the community is by taking VBS into a sister community that is lower in the economic status. They worked with the mayor in both communities and asked "what can we do to serve our community?" Since there is a great population of elderly individuals and meals on wheels is so big they decided to get involved with that...not as a church but as staff members of the church! they take turns; switching among people on Tuesdays.
From the powerpoint presentation:
- The church is viewed in 2 ways:
- functional view- the place where you go to get spiritual or filled up. Marry people, bury people, and go to church for certain occassions.
- Incarnational View- Church is not only a place that performs functions, but it is a place where God dwells. It is a people in whom God lives. God lives within each one of us! WE are the body of Christ....Jesus established the church before there were any buildings or structures to meet in, before there was hiearchy; during this period the church grew substantially!
- There are 2 kinds of people:
- Those who "go to church" and those who see themselves "as the church."
- Our challenge is to help people who mereley "go to church" become those who see themselves "as the church, and help them find the part they are to play in putting God on display to the world.
- People are looking to see what God is like. It is our responsibility to put God on display for them to see.
- The American Chruch in Crisis: Christianity Today
- Les than 20% of americans regularly attend church---half of what the pollsters report.
- American church attendance is steadily declining.
- Oly one state is out-pacing its population growth.
- 'Mid-sized churches are shrinking; the smallest and largest churches are growing.
- Established churches--40 to 190 years old are on average declining.
- The increase in churches is only 1/4 of what's needed to keep up with population growth
It is most likely the very contentedness of the church that works agains the church. The church gets "happy" they way they are.
This kind of missional view is difficult to work out. The struggle with the church is that it can easily become about attracting people instead of being a missional church "us going".
Some things that exist in every church that works against the purpose for which it comes into existence:
- Alan Hirsh-- "the major challenge to the viability of Christianity is not Buddhism...not is it Islam...nor the New Age...All of these are challenges, no doubt, but i have come to believe that the major threat to the viability o our faith is that of consumerism."
- People look and search for the "best" churches...the churches that make them feel the best. The church in response to this begins to market itself as a business to attract more "customers" or Christians. Everything we do we do in order to attract participants; and although they may come..there is no way to attract discipleship.
- When churches bate people with a consumerism mindset it is difficult to all of a sudden switch it up on them and lead them into discipleship.
- Consumerism is opposed to self sacrifice, self denial, taking up our cross; everything that discipleship is. Jesus
Many times we help our church by helping them believe instead of helping them follow. If it is only about believing then the Gospel becomes a sales pitch.
Although I agree that we need to follow Jesus I am wondering if we can expect people to follow something that they do not believe in.
The nation of America is not the Kingdom of God. When the church puts all of its energy into telling people to vote a certain way or certain political party we end up missing the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be equated with specific rules and moral regulations. Christians side with Republicans because they claim that they do not support homosexual marriages or abortion; however in the same respect we end up choosing sides because of these issues and end up missing important issues that only "those liberals" care about. The church needs to be the conscience of the culture! Christians should not need laws to and rules put in place by governemtn and political parties to fulfill the Gospel of Jesus.
Shane Claiborne Irresistible Revolution
Greg Boyd Myth of a Christian Nation
How do these principles and these philosophies flesh themselves out in everday life and ministry?
Once this message of missional thinking began to be preached in the pulpit etc. DNA was reproduced in small groups by investing time and service for relay for life, meals on wheels, salvation army, etc. Students do missions projects not just missions trips. Giving people a taste of how the other world lives. Sending teams to Louisiana to help restore things. A fifth grade class bought Llamas to provide money and milk for other nations. When you do these things and it is a part of of regular service to the community and the paper catches wind of it and you end up in the news paper then the greater community begins to realize the makeup and DNA of the church...which is the body of Christ...which are individuals incarnated by Jesus Christ. When we do Jesus things (the stuff that Jesus did) people fall in love with Him!
For more info on Riverside Community Church see PEACE handout...from Rick Warrens PEACE plan. Also see RCC Missions Goal & Strategy
As a church what are the right questions to ask?
- Should we be asking "how can we get people to come to our church?" or "how can we get our people to engage our community?"
- What are ways we can engage and bless our communities beyond the walls of the church?
- If your church was removed from our community, who, besides our attendees, would miss it?
- How can we get people
- to down-size in order to make room for compassion in a super-size me culture?
Amazing! I can see how many people would be turned off by what he says...he does seem to be a little more liberal than many would want. I think he has some pretty incredible views that are definitely reflected by the Gospel of Jesus!
New Believer 3
1. Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
I was raised Mormon and around 16 I quit going because there seemed to be too many rules. The thought of not going to heaven because I drank a Coca-Cola did not seem right. I always had faith but was turned off to church and what it seemed to be about! I have a friend who attends SVCC and I went to attend and they did not shove anything down my throat and they welcomed me and that helped me to reinvestigate my faith.
2. What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
Probably, the situation in my life at the time…I was going through a really tough time (depression) and I had a feeling that God was telling me that it was time to come home; as in commit suicide) when I went to church it opened my eyes to what I was missing in life and help me see God in life.
3. What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
The peace tat I have. I have 3 teenagers and live is crazy they always have to go somewhere, but I can turn to the Lord and feel peace inside.
4. What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
Letting go of control and letting God have control. It has been hard to learn how to just let go of it.
5. What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
Prayer…praying and just actually seeing what I am praying for come true. It may not happen right away but it happens.
6. What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
Be very compassionate and understanding. Being raised in the Mormon faith was about a bunch of rules and judgmental attitudes. Sometimes it helps when you help people individuals understand that God does not expect us to fit any mold before he will accept us.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mike Hammer
Before Mike started his church he did something for the community. He saw a store front for rent and decided that a neat idea would be to rent the storefront and stock it with cool stuff for students to come and hang out. This opened the door for all kinds of opportunities...he met the mayor, got to speak to the school board and met some prominent people in the neighborhood and community!
I would like to check out the student center and see what it looks like. How much is it open and available for students...what kind of rules are in place...is it volunteer run...how late is it open?
When they decided to start the church they had a decision to use the country club or the legion...needless to say the decision was not difficult (they went with the country club!)
One thing they do on a Wednesday morning at 6:00am (wow!) that has a men fraternity which is described as being "the quest for authentic manhood". It seems that guys would rather get up an extra hour early and do it in the morning than tie up another evening.
Mike feels that as a whole the program works well for discipleship.
Bridges is also an incredible program! Getting real with yourself...who you are...what's in your heart...why do i continue to get stuck...why do i feel the way i do...are there others like me...?
If there is anything you can control it is your emotional growth; but the only way to do this is to be open, honest, and evaluative with yourself. Sometimes in the Christian community we deny the way we feel or what we are going thourgh...we tend to overlook or try to forget our junk and our wounds and those areas in life that we struggle; but before long our issues end up catching up with us and drag us down and can lead to a devastating conclusion!
In life people get stuck...traditional church does not understand this because it believes that when you are are saved you are free from prior bondage! When no body deals with the problems that they are experiencing and we continue to go to church and most of these people are on fire for God and fill leadership roles within the church...the problem is that most of us in the church feel that we are under the blood and that we are all okay...when we are not! We are suffering in silence. "Secrets keep us sick!" Our past sets a tone for where we are now.
Before Mike was even involved with starting a church he did Bridges. In fact, in the beginning Bridges was for the unchurched; but now he uses it for the church. Specifically, he uses it for his leaders in the church.
This sounds neat! It is rare to have the opportunity to investigate your past in a community of believers and work through our hurts.
If so many of our issues come from childhood and our teen years, it would be an awesome idea to somehow implement this in a youth group. Not only can they learn to deal with "junk" that they have experienced in child hood but also stuff that happens every day when they go to school or when they come home, or when they interact with their parents or brothers and sisters.
I think about this and feel that it would be an incredible opportunity to do this with church leadership; but I definitely feel that it would be challenging and difficult. In the long run, I can see it leading to an incredible experience both as individulas but as a ministry team!
I would like to check out the student center and see what it looks like. How much is it open and available for students...what kind of rules are in place...is it volunteer run...how late is it open?
When they decided to start the church they had a decision to use the country club or the legion...needless to say the decision was not difficult (they went with the country club!)
One thing they do on a Wednesday morning at 6:00am (wow!) that has a men fraternity which is described as being "the quest for authentic manhood". It seems that guys would rather get up an extra hour early and do it in the morning than tie up another evening.
Mike feels that as a whole the program works well for discipleship.
Bridges is also an incredible program! Getting real with yourself...who you are...what's in your heart...why do i continue to get stuck...why do i feel the way i do...are there others like me...?
If there is anything you can control it is your emotional growth; but the only way to do this is to be open, honest, and evaluative with yourself. Sometimes in the Christian community we deny the way we feel or what we are going thourgh...we tend to overlook or try to forget our junk and our wounds and those areas in life that we struggle; but before long our issues end up catching up with us and drag us down and can lead to a devastating conclusion!
In life people get stuck...traditional church does not understand this because it believes that when you are are saved you are free from prior bondage! When no body deals with the problems that they are experiencing and we continue to go to church and most of these people are on fire for God and fill leadership roles within the church...the problem is that most of us in the church feel that we are under the blood and that we are all okay...when we are not! We are suffering in silence. "Secrets keep us sick!" Our past sets a tone for where we are now.
Before Mike was even involved with starting a church he did Bridges. In fact, in the beginning Bridges was for the unchurched; but now he uses it for the church. Specifically, he uses it for his leaders in the church.
This sounds neat! It is rare to have the opportunity to investigate your past in a community of believers and work through our hurts.
If so many of our issues come from childhood and our teen years, it would be an awesome idea to somehow implement this in a youth group. Not only can they learn to deal with "junk" that they have experienced in child hood but also stuff that happens every day when they go to school or when they come home, or when they interact with their parents or brothers and sisters.
I think about this and feel that it would be an incredible opportunity to do this with church leadership; but I definitely feel that it would be challenging and difficult. In the long run, I can see it leading to an incredible experience both as individulas but as a ministry team!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
David Kennard: Riverside Community Church
Today we had David Kennard from Riverside community church come and speak to us. He as been at the church for 10 years as associate pastor and is a site pastor. He graduated from Missouri State University.
He just got done doing a series called "Things I wish Jesus Never Said". Some titles that are included are love your enemies, gouge your eye out, etc.
He would not consider the church seeker sensitive but sensitive to seekers! Some ways that this occurs is to help individuals feel comfortable and unpressured to give. Other ways is to use contemporary music during praise and when there is a big word or a theological term that it is explained and in context. There is also a high value placed on using scripture in context.
The ideas above seem to contribute to the 15% non-Christian attendance on any given sunday! That is amazing! I wonder how a culture is created where unChristians feel comfortable in a church! Don't the church people look down on the others and judge those who are smoking outside of the building? I wonder what "types" of non-Christians attend the church...business men and women? Suburban families? Harley riders?
More than just attending church non-Christians attend "small-groups" with other Christians! That is amazing! How is this possible? What is the common thread? What do they have in common? One way this works is by providing some kind of service for the community where the Christians are almost incognito! "Chicks with Sticks" is a small group of women who Crochet hat and caps for children with cancer! There are probably only 3 Christians out of a potential 20 that attend the group!
The goal of these groups is not to proselytize the other members but they want to give back to the community.
Another way is through golf, tennis, biking, hiking, canoing, geneology groups etc. They advertise these groups in the news paper and they get started.
He calls this free market small groups. These are groups that start because someone is interested in waht they do regardless of what that might be and they create a group for that!
An equation that is used is Discipleship=Relationship+Intentionality. "Lets talk about faith in the context of real life of what happening right now." Diseases, deaths, births, etc. This is not a strategy or program but is a way of life. There are some churches that implement this type of group where there are more people involved in small groups than their are in the church. Church events become venues by which individuals can feel comfortable visiting the church.
If you don't have a small group ministry in the church how do you start one. There must be a leader who will dedicate time, research, and education to creating small groups. This must be supported by the lead pastor. And draw attention to the priesthood of believers.
This type of small group seems interesting because the leaders of the group prepare and go deep with God because they are expected to always be ready and sensitive to those who are seeking.
Another intersting idea is that a group or type of service that exists does not always stay around if their is not a heart-beat for that type of ministry.
Another neat concept that was talked about in regards to the discipleship process and growing process of individuals is the Growth process diagram. It is 360 degrees and is cyclical. It begins with Christianity 101 this begins in winter it is a time to dream. The person changes and the old man is dying and a new person is emerging. In spring is Christianity 201 and the theme is developing. Christianity 301 is discovering who you are strengths and weaknesses etc. Christianity 401 is dedication of lives and Christianity 501 is devotion.
Something interesting was seen when the church did a survey. The survey showed that individuals who had been in the church for more than 4 or 5 years prayed less than individuals who just accepted Christ. This is puzzling but it stirred the pot for creating new ways and new ideas to connecting with God. It seems that the church was focused so much on serving that they failed to get close and learn to know God. One of the ways the church is helping people engage the Bible is by beginning a 9 month long sermon series that will be broken up into 9 or 10 series. Families will be encouraged to read "the story" it is in novel form. They youth ministry will be doing the same thing. Children's ministry will also be doing the same. These will be read in both believer and non-believer groups. It is a church wide journey.
Another thing that i though was phenomenal was the idea of using incredible stories developed directly from a small group community in both sermon series and for introducing small groups. Riverside community church is not a church with small groups but a church of small groups.
Although there are some amazing things that happen in small groups..it does not always turn out the we want.
One time a guy did not come home and he was found dead...he had committed suicide. Another time a husband with two kids had many many homosexual affairs. Small groups are messy! Another example is where two wives decided to up and leave their husbands. Most of the people still attend the church.
A revolutionary concept: "you will not have 85% of your congregation involved in small groups if they are attending Sunday night service, Wednesday night service, and morning service!" I think that this is a great concept that bears a lot of truth. There is just not enough time in a week for individuals to schedule too many things! If small groups are always introverted focused Bible studies then the small groups will die. Their needs to be outward focus. 40 days of purpose and 40 days of community are two resources that shape the DNA of small groups at Riverside Community Church.
I am excited to hear about small groups and the potential for reaching the unchurched and non Christians. Small groups seem to be an incredible way of developing Christians and reaching unchurched. However, small groups seem difficult to manage and develop.
I also feel that trying to incorporate something new in a traditional church or even a church that is somewhat contemporary would be met with incredible resistance.
I would also like to learn how the youth culture reflects the DNA of the church at Riverside Community Church.
He just got done doing a series called "Things I wish Jesus Never Said". Some titles that are included are love your enemies, gouge your eye out, etc.
He would not consider the church seeker sensitive but sensitive to seekers! Some ways that this occurs is to help individuals feel comfortable and unpressured to give. Other ways is to use contemporary music during praise and when there is a big word or a theological term that it is explained and in context. There is also a high value placed on using scripture in context.
The ideas above seem to contribute to the 15% non-Christian attendance on any given sunday! That is amazing! I wonder how a culture is created where unChristians feel comfortable in a church! Don't the church people look down on the others and judge those who are smoking outside of the building? I wonder what "types" of non-Christians attend the church...business men and women? Suburban families? Harley riders?
More than just attending church non-Christians attend "small-groups" with other Christians! That is amazing! How is this possible? What is the common thread? What do they have in common? One way this works is by providing some kind of service for the community where the Christians are almost incognito! "Chicks with Sticks" is a small group of women who Crochet hat and caps for children with cancer! There are probably only 3 Christians out of a potential 20 that attend the group!
The goal of these groups is not to proselytize the other members but they want to give back to the community.
Another way is through golf, tennis, biking, hiking, canoing, geneology groups etc. They advertise these groups in the news paper and they get started.
He calls this free market small groups. These are groups that start because someone is interested in waht they do regardless of what that might be and they create a group for that!
An equation that is used is Discipleship=Relationship+Intentionality. "Lets talk about faith in the context of real life of what happening right now." Diseases, deaths, births, etc. This is not a strategy or program but is a way of life. There are some churches that implement this type of group where there are more people involved in small groups than their are in the church. Church events become venues by which individuals can feel comfortable visiting the church.
If you don't have a small group ministry in the church how do you start one. There must be a leader who will dedicate time, research, and education to creating small groups. This must be supported by the lead pastor. And draw attention to the priesthood of believers.
This type of small group seems interesting because the leaders of the group prepare and go deep with God because they are expected to always be ready and sensitive to those who are seeking.
Another intersting idea is that a group or type of service that exists does not always stay around if their is not a heart-beat for that type of ministry.
Another neat concept that was talked about in regards to the discipleship process and growing process of individuals is the Growth process diagram. It is 360 degrees and is cyclical. It begins with Christianity 101 this begins in winter it is a time to dream. The person changes and the old man is dying and a new person is emerging. In spring is Christianity 201 and the theme is developing. Christianity 301 is discovering who you are strengths and weaknesses etc. Christianity 401 is dedication of lives and Christianity 501 is devotion.
Something interesting was seen when the church did a survey. The survey showed that individuals who had been in the church for more than 4 or 5 years prayed less than individuals who just accepted Christ. This is puzzling but it stirred the pot for creating new ways and new ideas to connecting with God. It seems that the church was focused so much on serving that they failed to get close and learn to know God. One of the ways the church is helping people engage the Bible is by beginning a 9 month long sermon series that will be broken up into 9 or 10 series. Families will be encouraged to read "the story" it is in novel form. They youth ministry will be doing the same thing. Children's ministry will also be doing the same. These will be read in both believer and non-believer groups. It is a church wide journey.
Another thing that i though was phenomenal was the idea of using incredible stories developed directly from a small group community in both sermon series and for introducing small groups. Riverside community church is not a church with small groups but a church of small groups.
Although there are some amazing things that happen in small groups..it does not always turn out the we want.
One time a guy did not come home and he was found dead...he had committed suicide. Another time a husband with two kids had many many homosexual affairs. Small groups are messy! Another example is where two wives decided to up and leave their husbands. Most of the people still attend the church.
A revolutionary concept: "you will not have 85% of your congregation involved in small groups if they are attending Sunday night service, Wednesday night service, and morning service!" I think that this is a great concept that bears a lot of truth. There is just not enough time in a week for individuals to schedule too many things! If small groups are always introverted focused Bible studies then the small groups will die. Their needs to be outward focus. 40 days of purpose and 40 days of community are two resources that shape the DNA of small groups at Riverside Community Church.
I am excited to hear about small groups and the potential for reaching the unchurched and non Christians. Small groups seem to be an incredible way of developing Christians and reaching unchurched. However, small groups seem difficult to manage and develop.
I also feel that trying to incorporate something new in a traditional church or even a church that is somewhat contemporary would be met with incredible resistance.
I would also like to learn how the youth culture reflects the DNA of the church at Riverside Community Church.
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