Here are a few questions for "Crowdbreakers" for Sunday night.
1. Take turns giving your short responses to these questions:
Name a food you love . . .
Name a TV show you love . . .
Name a sports team(s) you love. . .
Name an experience you loved . . .
Name a person you love . . .
Name one person you know loves you . . .
2. What is your first memory of experiencing God's love?
3. Do you believe in "Love at first sight"
4. Give an example of the word "love" being used frivolously.
5. Give an example of someone you know who sacrificed things because of the love they had for another.
Announcements:
We need some help on Friday night, Feb. 1 to help with parking for Uncle Phil's Diner Dinner Theater from 5:30 - 6:45 PM. There is another event at the church and we want to make sure people know where to park. If anyone could help, please talk to Joel. Speaking of Uncle Phil's. . . Tickets for Saturday night are almost sold out and Friday only has a few tickets left(as of Thursday evening). Encourage people to get their tickets soon.
The Conestogans from Lancaster Bible College will present a concert at the church on Sunday, February 24 at 7 PM.
We are planning a "Family Night" on Leap Day, Friday, February 29 in the Family Life Center. I don't have a lot of details yet.
Next 1:6 group night will be February 3. That is Super Bowl Night. You might want to make plans to have a party and invite others who aren't in your group. Or, we are planning to have small groups meet at the Family Life Center that evening.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
1:6 Leader's Meeting - This Saturday.
Just a reminder about the 1:6 leaders meeting this Saturday, January 12, 8 AM at Cruisers. Also, remember that wifes are encouraged to attend if possible.
Please come with ideas, praises, and questions.
Please come with ideas, praises, and questions.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
1:6 Leaders Meeting and Other Stuff
I would like to get together with everyone on Saturday, January 12 at 8 AM at Cruisers. I will make breakfast. Let me know if that will or won't work for you. If it doesn't work for too many people, we will get together on Sunday, January 13 at 8:45 AM, but I would much rather do get together on the 12th.
If any of you have filled out SHAPE forms, please get them to Pastor Paul or me.
As of now, 1:6 groups will begin again on Sunday, January 20 and meet Feb. 3 and 17, March 7 and 16 and April 6 and 25.
I REALLY wanted to started two new groups. We have discussed this at Team meeting with no definate plans. I am little frustrated that I haven't been able to make it happen yet. I would like to have your opinions. We will talk about this when we meet.
Thanks for ministering in this capacity.
If any of you have filled out SHAPE forms, please get them to Pastor Paul or me.
As of now, 1:6 groups will begin again on Sunday, January 20 and meet Feb. 3 and 17, March 7 and 16 and April 6 and 25.
I REALLY wanted to started two new groups. We have discussed this at Team meeting with no definate plans. I am little frustrated that I haven't been able to make it happen yet. I would like to have your opinions. We will talk about this when we meet.
Thanks for ministering in this capacity.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Weekly Blog Announcements
This Week
I am not sure what is going to happen this weekend? It is your call about having or not having small groups due to the weather. If you do cancel and have not finished lesson #5, please try to get your group together to finish that.
Speaking of finishing, it would be good to have the S.H.A.P.E. forms as soon as possible. You could put them in my mailbox. You can be telling everyone that we are planning to have a "Ministry Fair" (for lack of a better term for now) on Sunday, January 6. We will be going over job discriptions of committees and ministries in the church. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we can get people involved.
This Spring
We are looking to begin the Spring 1:6 series January 20 and using every 1st and 3rd Sunday for 1:6. I am still hoping that we can start a few (at least two) new groups studying different subjects. One would be for young or curious believers and one would be more in depth. That was one of the reason I wanted to get together last week. (We still need to do that as well.) For now, know that we have picked material and are in the process of tweaking it for our use.
Here is what we are planning for the super bowl, February 3. That's a normal 1:6 night, so we are encouraging groups to either have a Super Bowl party with their group and or another group or so. Or, like before, this could be a night that you don't have 1:6. It is up to your group.
Other Announcements
We are planning to have a New Years Eve, Eve Fellowship on December 3o. We are looking for people who have skits, can sing, read, etc.
We are planning another Dinner Theater for February 1, 2, and 3 in the Family Life Center. We need two older men who would be interested in playing an ex-football coach and a policeman. Tickets will be $8.00, $6.00 for senior citizens (60 and older) and will be available December 23 and 30 to the church and January 3 to the public. Remember, this is an outreach and we NEED people to bring their unchurched friends. It is a very non-threatening way to introduce people to RMC.
I am not sure what is going to happen this weekend? It is your call about having or not having small groups due to the weather. If you do cancel and have not finished lesson #5, please try to get your group together to finish that.
Speaking of finishing, it would be good to have the S.H.A.P.E. forms as soon as possible. You could put them in my mailbox. You can be telling everyone that we are planning to have a "Ministry Fair" (for lack of a better term for now) on Sunday, January 6. We will be going over job discriptions of committees and ministries in the church. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we can get people involved.
This Spring
We are looking to begin the Spring 1:6 series January 20 and using every 1st and 3rd Sunday for 1:6. I am still hoping that we can start a few (at least two) new groups studying different subjects. One would be for young or curious believers and one would be more in depth. That was one of the reason I wanted to get together last week. (We still need to do that as well.) For now, know that we have picked material and are in the process of tweaking it for our use.
Here is what we are planning for the super bowl, February 3. That's a normal 1:6 night, so we are encouraging groups to either have a Super Bowl party with their group and or another group or so. Or, like before, this could be a night that you don't have 1:6. It is up to your group.
Other Announcements
We are planning to have a New Years Eve, Eve Fellowship on December 3o. We are looking for people who have skits, can sing, read, etc.
We are planning another Dinner Theater for February 1, 2, and 3 in the Family Life Center. We need two older men who would be interested in playing an ex-football coach and a policeman. Tickets will be $8.00, $6.00 for senior citizens (60 and older) and will be available December 23 and 30 to the church and January 3 to the public. Remember, this is an outreach and we NEED people to bring their unchurched friends. It is a very non-threatening way to introduce people to RMC.
Helpful Hints #4
This article is taken from www.buildingsmallgroups.com. The web address for the article is here.
The Five "Ms" Every Leader Should Know
1. Minister to the needs of your members.
Okay, so that may seem obvious, but one of the critical roles of a small group leader is to shepherd the people in your group. Does the word "shepherd" scare you? It shouldn't. God has provided you with the gifts and abilities to care for those in your small group.
In a healthy small group, the members, as well as the leaders, must be "healthy." In fact, I would say that the success of your small group depends on its health. A healthy small group integrates all 5 biblical purposes into its life (for more information on the 5 biblical purposes, click here), but it's the leader's job to establish the biblical purpose of "fellowship" within the first few weeks of your group's existence.
As the small group leader, you need to pray for and "love on" each member of the group. That means making sure people feel connected with other members in the group, being attentive to what people say in the group - perhaps, for example, you may sense after the first several meetings that one couple in the group is struggling in their marriage. Your job as a leader is to pray for them. After you develop a deeper friendship with the couple, you may even suggest talking to a pastor or Christian counselor.
My point, simply, is that as the shepherd of the small group you need "eyes" to see the needs of your group.
2. Mentor their spiritual maturity.
An effective small group leader seeks to cultivate the spiritual habits of his or her group.
And how do you do that?
You must first know the condition of your "sheep"-those under your care. In the back of your mind, as you lead the group, you need to ask this for each person in the group, "What is the next step in his or her spiritual maturity?"
For an unmarried couple who is living together, they need to get married! That's their next logical step in obedience to Christ. For others, it may be baptism. Others may need to learn how to give or focus on their family or attend church more regularly or step up their service in the church or community.
3. Motivate the "shape" (spiritual gifts) of your members for ministry.
You, as the leader of the group, must model this principle. It's the "trickle down" approach to spiritual maturity. What your members see in you is what they begin to emulate in their lives.
Do your members know what your spiritual gifts are? Do they know you have the gift of leadership? Have you described to them your pathway in becoming a small group leader?
Are your group members growing in their gifts? Where are they serving now? Where should they be serving in 6 months or a year?
One of the key "shepherding" functions of a small group leader is to motivate each member to harness his or her spiritual gifts for service in God's kingdom.
4. Multiply the life and mission of your members.
It's not enough for your members to stay members. Every member must become a multiplier—to multiply their life through passing on the faith to others, through starting a new small group, through training others to assist in the development of the small group.
As a small group leader, your vision must be to see your group collectively—and its members individually—to take the next logical step in development. There must always be movement—growth towards reaching the mission of God's kingdom.
That may mean training another set of leaders to launch another small group. Or it may mean making sure the "empty chair" is always filled. Or, it may mean that you challenge group members to make a difference in their daily lives or profession.
Your role is to pour your life into your group members, so that they will pour their lives into others.
5. Model a surrendered heart.
Pride and arrogance and worldly leadership have no place in a small group. Never forget that what is happening in your group is the work of God Almighty. Not you.
If your leadership is effective, if your shepherding is making a difference in the lives of your members, expect spiritual warfare. That is, expect conflict, struggles, and trials. Satan loves to strangle healthy small groups through, for example, petty conflicts among members.
That's when you, the leader, need most to model a surrendered, humble attitude.
God works best in our weakness—when things are blowing apart—that's when God is strong. What is your Isaac? That is, what do you need to lay down on the altar to be consumed by the fire of God's presence? God loves the confessions and prayers of a broken and contrite heart. Worship God no matter what your circumstances with a thankful and hopeful heart. Your soul—and the very health of your small group—is at stake.
Copyright © LifeTogether.com. Visit LifeTogether.com to find resourcees that help your church transform communities through community.
1. Minister to the needs of your members.
Okay, so that may seem obvious, but one of the critical roles of a small group leader is to shepherd the people in your group. Does the word "shepherd" scare you? It shouldn't. God has provided you with the gifts and abilities to care for those in your small group.
In a healthy small group, the members, as well as the leaders, must be "healthy." In fact, I would say that the success of your small group depends on its health. A healthy small group integrates all 5 biblical purposes into its life (for more information on the 5 biblical purposes, click here), but it's the leader's job to establish the biblical purpose of "fellowship" within the first few weeks of your group's existence.
As the small group leader, you need to pray for and "love on" each member of the group. That means making sure people feel connected with other members in the group, being attentive to what people say in the group - perhaps, for example, you may sense after the first several meetings that one couple in the group is struggling in their marriage. Your job as a leader is to pray for them. After you develop a deeper friendship with the couple, you may even suggest talking to a pastor or Christian counselor.
My point, simply, is that as the shepherd of the small group you need "eyes" to see the needs of your group.
2. Mentor their spiritual maturity.
An effective small group leader seeks to cultivate the spiritual habits of his or her group.
And how do you do that?
You must first know the condition of your "sheep"-those under your care. In the back of your mind, as you lead the group, you need to ask this for each person in the group, "What is the next step in his or her spiritual maturity?"
For an unmarried couple who is living together, they need to get married! That's their next logical step in obedience to Christ. For others, it may be baptism. Others may need to learn how to give or focus on their family or attend church more regularly or step up their service in the church or community.
3. Motivate the "shape" (spiritual gifts) of your members for ministry.
You, as the leader of the group, must model this principle. It's the "trickle down" approach to spiritual maturity. What your members see in you is what they begin to emulate in their lives.
Do your members know what your spiritual gifts are? Do they know you have the gift of leadership? Have you described to them your pathway in becoming a small group leader?
Are your group members growing in their gifts? Where are they serving now? Where should they be serving in 6 months or a year?
One of the key "shepherding" functions of a small group leader is to motivate each member to harness his or her spiritual gifts for service in God's kingdom.
4. Multiply the life and mission of your members.
It's not enough for your members to stay members. Every member must become a multiplier—to multiply their life through passing on the faith to others, through starting a new small group, through training others to assist in the development of the small group.
As a small group leader, your vision must be to see your group collectively—and its members individually—to take the next logical step in development. There must always be movement—growth towards reaching the mission of God's kingdom.
That may mean training another set of leaders to launch another small group. Or it may mean making sure the "empty chair" is always filled. Or, it may mean that you challenge group members to make a difference in their daily lives or profession.
Your role is to pour your life into your group members, so that they will pour their lives into others.
5. Model a surrendered heart.
Pride and arrogance and worldly leadership have no place in a small group. Never forget that what is happening in your group is the work of God Almighty. Not you.
If your leadership is effective, if your shepherding is making a difference in the lives of your members, expect spiritual warfare. That is, expect conflict, struggles, and trials. Satan loves to strangle healthy small groups through, for example, petty conflicts among members.
That's when you, the leader, need most to model a surrendered, humble attitude.
God works best in our weakness—when things are blowing apart—that's when God is strong. What is your Isaac? That is, what do you need to lay down on the altar to be consumed by the fire of God's presence? God loves the confessions and prayers of a broken and contrite heart. Worship God no matter what your circumstances with a thankful and hopeful heart. Your soul—and the very health of your small group—is at stake.
Copyright © LifeTogether.com. Visit LifeTogether.com to find resourcees that help your church transform communities through community.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Scratch December 8
December 8 won't work - too many people hunting. Forgot about that. I'll get back to you about it soon.
Weekly 1:6 Blog - Nov 29
The S.H.A.P.E. forms are in your mailbox. These forms should be filled out by those who would like to be involved in the ministry of the church somewhere. Actually, everyone should fill one out if possible. Take some time to go over each section. There is a bunch of information in the teaching section with suggestions, etc. for your help with this. I don't expect this to be quick. But I hope it will begin to help people get a sense of what they should be doing and what can be done. We would like to get everyones form back after December 16. You could put them in the mailbox above mine at church.
Week #5 lesson is in your mailbox.
It might be possible to have a copy or copies of all the offices and committees in your mailboxes by Sunday as well. No guarantee.
Hopefully everyone got an email with a spiritual gifts analysis attached. Let me know if you would like copies of that made. Some don't but some of you might, so get back to me if you want some and how many. There are a lot of other good "tests" available. Don't be afraid to use something else. Also, remember to let everyone know that this is a tool - one help in determining what gifts God has given. It isn't exact. There is more information in the teaching section for spiritual gifts as well.
We meet this Sunday and December 16 as well. Week #5 is the last "lesson". I think there is plenty of information for a 6th week if you want more discussion. With the spiritual gifts and S.H.A.P.E. "tools" available, you could do those.
We STILL (arrrggghhh) haven't finalized plans for the spring 1:6 session. I am hoping that today Paul and I can get together - it will depend how long his appointments take. Please know that it is being considered.
I know this is a busy time of year, but I would like to get together for breakfast at Cruisers on Saturday, December 8 around 7:30 AM. This will give Pastor Paul and Aaron both the opportunity to be involved in the discussion. This isn't 100% but I want to finalize this on Sunday so please check your calendars and let me know, either way, (just add a comment on here or email me) so I can make plans. Also, I have to contact the owner of Cruiser's to make sure if that would be okay with him. haha
Week #5 lesson is in your mailbox.
It might be possible to have a copy or copies of all the offices and committees in your mailboxes by Sunday as well. No guarantee.
Hopefully everyone got an email with a spiritual gifts analysis attached. Let me know if you would like copies of that made. Some don't but some of you might, so get back to me if you want some and how many. There are a lot of other good "tests" available. Don't be afraid to use something else. Also, remember to let everyone know that this is a tool - one help in determining what gifts God has given. It isn't exact. There is more information in the teaching section for spiritual gifts as well.
We meet this Sunday and December 16 as well. Week #5 is the last "lesson". I think there is plenty of information for a 6th week if you want more discussion. With the spiritual gifts and S.H.A.P.E. "tools" available, you could do those.
We STILL (arrrggghhh) haven't finalized plans for the spring 1:6 session. I am hoping that today Paul and I can get together - it will depend how long his appointments take. Please know that it is being considered.
I know this is a busy time of year, but I would like to get together for breakfast at Cruisers on Saturday, December 8 around 7:30 AM. This will give Pastor Paul and Aaron both the opportunity to be involved in the discussion. This isn't 100% but I want to finalize this on Sunday so please check your calendars and let me know, either way, (just add a comment on here or email me) so I can make plans. Also, I have to contact the owner of Cruiser's to make sure if that would be okay with him. haha
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