Not sure if anyone has heard of the Methodist Conference: Order of the Flame. That's where I will be all of next week - St. Simons Island, Georgia. So my blogging will be suspended for a week or so.
Holynext happens tomorrow and Saturday! We are gearing up for the first spiritual formation retreat in the Wesleyan Church ( that we are aware of! )
Thursday, March 23
F.O.R.M.
FORM is an acronym used to represent 4 different categories of small groups within the local church. The concept is that a church would attempt to be balanced in each of the following 4 areas:
F = Family; linking people by the unique characteristics of their family structure
O = Occupation; linking people around their occupational commonalities
R = Recreation; using recreational habits to link people with similar interests
M = Ministry; linking people either by the ministry they need or by the ministry they are involved in.
What do you think? Is this helpful? Would something like this work in your church? Are you overloaded in any one particular area?
F = Family; linking people by the unique characteristics of their family structure
O = Occupation; linking people around their occupational commonalities
R = Recreation; using recreational habits to link people with similar interests
M = Ministry; linking people either by the ministry they need or by the ministry they are involved in.
What do you think? Is this helpful? Would something like this work in your church? Are you overloaded in any one particular area?
Tuesday, March 21
Just Another Day on the Farm
Last week my brother in law Barry and his son Craig and I traveled 5 hours from Indianapolis to Moline, Illinois - the home of John Deere. For a farmer, or any tractor enthusiast, Moline is mecca. There were more tractors than people! If you know me, you know that I am not a farmer ;-) But I can usually recognize a tractor when I see one! We spent 5 hours touring the enormous facility where they combine their combines ( harvesters ). It was impressive for sure.
Here are a couple of shots from our field trip:
Here are a couple of shots from our field trip:
Friday, March 10
Throw Another Blog on the Fire
Here are a couple of sharp blogs from sharp people in sharp churches leading sharp ministries. May their tribe increase.
www.metrowesleyan.ca Dean Brown
www.revitalizeyourchurch.blogspot.com Mark Wilson
www.metrowesleyan.ca Dean Brown
www.revitalizeyourchurch.blogspot.com Mark Wilson
Tuesday, March 7
The final installment from Fellowship's Home Teams
If you have been involved in Small Group Ministry for any length of time, you know what an animal it can be to try to stay on top of the assimilation ( does anyone have a better word? ) of people into group life and community.
To 'combat' this, the Home Team Ministry @ Fellowship has hired a former marine to be their full time Pastor of Small Group Assimilation. OK, must of us just rolled our eyes and said, "I can't afford that". You probably can't. But, you probably can recruit a volunteer to help out in this area. In my previous pastorate in Moncton I had a young retiree ( mid 50's ) who attacked assimilation.
The retired marine's job is to call every person that goes to a small group and get them connected. He get's people's information off of welcome cards they use at each small group or off of their website where small group leaders can go in and post the info of all who were at their group this week.
What are you doing to make sure that people who come to your church or to a small group are getting connected into the fellowship?
To 'combat' this, the Home Team Ministry @ Fellowship has hired a former marine to be their full time Pastor of Small Group Assimilation. OK, must of us just rolled our eyes and said, "I can't afford that". You probably can't. But, you probably can recruit a volunteer to help out in this area. In my previous pastorate in Moncton I had a young retiree ( mid 50's ) who attacked assimilation.
The retired marine's job is to call every person that goes to a small group and get them connected. He get's people's information off of welcome cards they use at each small group or off of their website where small group leaders can go in and post the info of all who were at their group this week.
What are you doing to make sure that people who come to your church or to a small group are getting connected into the fellowship?
Tuesday, February 28
If you could recommend one book on Small Groups
I received this question this past week and thought it would pose an interesting thought for the Blog: if you had to recommend one, and only one book for small group ministry, what would it be?
Well, I couldn't do it! I had to recommend three. My list will change as I continue to read, grow and learn, but these are the three I would recommend right now. Here is a copy of part of my reply to the email question:
I know you want me to recommend that ‘one’ book that will accomplish the most. Let me start this way:
If you are trying to get your leaders to buy in to the shift from being a church with small groups to being a church of small groups: “Creating Community”, Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, Multnomah, North Point Resources.
If you are looking for an over-arching resource that will put practical tools and ideas in their hands: “Small Group Ministry in the 21st Century”, encyclopedia of practical ideas, Group Publishing
If you are looking for something that will explain the nature of small groups and its role in biblical community: “Small Group Leadership as Spiritual Direction”, Heather Webb, Zondervan.
Tim
Well, I couldn't do it! I had to recommend three. My list will change as I continue to read, grow and learn, but these are the three I would recommend right now. Here is a copy of part of my reply to the email question:
I know you want me to recommend that ‘one’ book that will accomplish the most. Let me start this way:
If you are trying to get your leaders to buy in to the shift from being a church with small groups to being a church of small groups: “Creating Community”, Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, Multnomah, North Point Resources.
If you are looking for an over-arching resource that will put practical tools and ideas in their hands: “Small Group Ministry in the 21st Century”, encyclopedia of practical ideas, Group Publishing
If you are looking for something that will explain the nature of small groups and its role in biblical community: “Small Group Leadership as Spiritual Direction”, Heather Webb, Zondervan.
Tim
Monday, February 27
More from the C3 Conference...
O.K. Sorry for my brief departure from gupdate. Let's get back to posting more ideas from the Small Group ministry @ Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. If you are just joining the conversation you might want to look at a few earlier postings to get a sense of the "Home Team" ministry.
The small groups test drive. Fellowship believes that joining a small group is a huge step for people. To help folks get a taste of the small group experience without actually signing up for one, they offer "Fusion". Fusion is offered on campus, during the weekend services, with child care provided. Essentially what they are doing is trying to tempt people into signing up for a small group.
Fusion is a 4-week process. They have a 25% drop out rate after weeek one. After week 4 you are given the choice of forming a new group, join an existing group or dropping out all together.
What do you think? Pros and cons? Would this work in your church?
The small groups test drive. Fellowship believes that joining a small group is a huge step for people. To help folks get a taste of the small group experience without actually signing up for one, they offer "Fusion". Fusion is offered on campus, during the weekend services, with child care provided. Essentially what they are doing is trying to tempt people into signing up for a small group.
Fusion is a 4-week process. They have a 25% drop out rate after weeek one. After week 4 you are given the choice of forming a new group, join an existing group or dropping out all together.
What do you think? Pros and cons? Would this work in your church?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
