Hi All,
As I mentioned on Sunday night, now is the time for us to be thinking about what 2008 might look like for us together as a church.
I am really keen to hear your top 10 ideas for 2008. Perhaps we could have a few categories:
Category A. Sunday Church Services
Category B. Weekly Small Groups
Category C. Mercy Ministries (eg soup kitchen)
I look forward to your ideas coming. Bring them on ...
11 comments:
What about "adopt a block"?
There are high rise/high density living spaces amongst the flashy upper class stuff.
Why not start inviting the residents across the road from the church in the high rise there and on Derby street to specific social functions like family picnics, nights out, meals and stuff not based in the church's building but with the people?
Start small, make time commitment and grow. Most residents are tenants not owners and whilst there will be 'turnover', seed sowing an relationship building is important and needs consistency and continuity. We don't have to drive up north or fly away to share the gospel.... (thank goodness!!!)
Mad thought flash over, feel free to stomp it away.
I think we should get on board with the drug rehab program that Dr George O'Neil set up. We could be involved in a major way (i.e. it is scaleable).
I was talking to someone from Curtin Community Church and they told me about how they have abandoned mid-week small groups and have "two's and three's" groups which go over the same passage that is being preached on during the week. There are many pros, but also some major cons. Definately worth considering though as they are inherantly more flexible and may be a more manageable option for those who struggle to make it to a small group for whatever reason...
Maybe do a combination of both-run the PABS groups for those who wish to be in a larger groups and "two's and thee's" for those who may benefit from that format.
more mystery dinners... i forget what you guys call it?
Mystery dinners - FIVE at FIVE, that is crew volunteer to host and are given 5 people to feed, entertain and pray with after the 5pm. I for one enjoyed the experience as eater and as host. It took careful and considerate organisation though. If it's done over summer (outside of academic season) I would put my hand up to help out, organise, cook or whatever. Great thought Deb, and excellent memory too!
In exile (aka Xster)
I think the RML programs works great for St Helens Bishopsgate and it results in social networking (like the HUB groups in that eg all Mark groups meet on the one night, all Romans groups on another etc). It is also a very good bible basis, with doing a gospel, romans and then bible overview as well as being very good at raising leaders. Whilst it is a big commitment for the leaders and it entails going through one book in 26 or so studies, the results far outweigh the potential of our sunday sermons or our current midweek groups. So at the end of 3 or 4 or more (if you become a leader after the 3 years of RML) years you are equipped for your own christian life, for leadership (if you have led) and also for going to another church if thats appropriate. i just think at the moment there is not enough support for the midweek groups and the leaders aren't trained, supported or knowledgeable as they should be...
How about having silence during communion? Aren't our lives busy and noisy enough with phones, radios, ipods, PC's, children and middle class claptrap? Can we consider having one short musical intro to communion, SILENCE then a short exit from the time.
Personally I find the music well played but intrusive into a time of prayer, peace (????) and contemplation. Of late I have stopped sharing in this element and sat there with fingers stuck in my ears as I'm unable to come to communion with so much audio activity without feeling irritated and that is a bad way to start communion.
1. Regular Minute for Mission
2. Include Bible Readings in handouts
3. Promote a Trinity@Night course as a congregation
4. Seminar on time management for Christians
5. Occasional musical items (solos, original compositions)
6. Continue present supper arrangements
7. Keep to 75 minute time limit
8. Occasional book reviews.
9. Occasional question time
10. Some sermons on contemporary issues
I think the clergy should robe
5pm has drifted away from its Anglican heritage
from the past we see the future
Richard
anon,
out of curiosity, what's RML? pardon my ignorance!
Hi Deb,
RML stands for Read Mark Learn.
It is St Helen's bible study material which is very detailed. Actually unichurch hub have used some of it.
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