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Five Fruitful Practices for Effective Congrgations |
Entries on this page begin with the most current posting at the top of the page descending to the oldest at the bottom of the page.
The Passionate Worship Team met on November 2, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Those present were Gary Allen, Amy Blair, Laura Bogert, Kathy Riff, Beckie Saathoff, Sandi Schweers, Peg Tindall, Annie Wiemers, and Mark Wiemers.
What we do in one hour of worship is what makes the rest of the week doable. Passionate Worship means an extraordinary eagerness to offer the best in worship, honoring God with excellence and with an unusual clarity about the purpose of connecting people to God.
After a period of time for the team members to pray over various areas of the church, the team came together to discuss what our service says to the congregation and what improvements we might make in these areas - "We're glad you're here!" "Get involved, grow with us!" "Please come back!"
The second service was discussed and several recommendations resulted:
Due to the crowded conditions in the Altar area, the Team rearranged some of the furniture and suggested that one podium be used for the Pastor and the Lay Reader each Sunday. It was also suggested that the acolytes sit on the front pew or with parents during the service to free up more space.
Kathy said that the church bulletin format is to change to an 11" x 17" triple fold format to make it easier to read and less crowded.
Some of the items from the first meeting were revisited:
Kathy Riff will discuss the following with Pastor Charlie:
Prior to next meeting:
The Radical Hospitality Team met on October 20, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall with JoAnn Neuman, Bruce Simpson and Peg Tindall present.
The focus of session 2 was "How is our church doing? Is worship attendance increasing or decreasing? Is membership trending older each year or getting younger? Is the number of classes, studies, services, and missions increasing or decreasing?" It was noted that we cannot keep doing things the way they have always been done, and we have to recognize that little changes have big effects!
In answer to the question, "How do people hear about your church most often?" the following items were noted:
We identified Sunday School Classes, Wednesday morning Bible Studies, Umited Methodist Men, and United Methodist Wommen as the groups in our church which seem to be the easiest for new people to join.
Among the ideas and suggestions for improvement were:
The next meeting was scheduled on Wednesday, November18, at 7 p.m. Notes will be posted when available.
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We have been through the Five Practices sermons now and only one initial committee meeting remains. The Five Practices in review are:
On 26 October, the Extravagant Giving committee met at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Notes from that meeting will be posted when they become available. |
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Next Sunday, the focus of our worship will be Extravagant Giving. Generosity means an unselfish willingness to give for the purposes of Christ. But what does it mean for us to give extravagantly, going beyond expectations? During the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prayers on Extravagant Giving in Cultivating Fruitfulness . We encourage households and friends to read the Scriptures, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. We'll find new ways to see the extravagance of God in our lives. On 19 October, the Risk-Taking Mission and Service committee met at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Information from this meeting will be posted when available. |
The Intentional Faith Development Team met with five present. We were reminded at this session that we are to constantly be growing and learning in our faith. As the leader's guide so powerfully puts it, "We learn the life of Christ and will of God by studying God's Word and through experience with other people of faith. By joining a Bible Study or class, we place ourselves in the circumstances that are most advantageous for growth in faith. Bible study is not just about self-improvement, but about setting ourselves where God can shape us, intentionally opening ourselves to God's Word and call. God uses faith-to-faith relationsips to change us."
Team members were given the opportunity to reflect on their personal story of faith development and how studying with others affected their own maturity in faith. This enabled us to discuss the opportunities our church makes available to the congregation at this time. Then we began to look at new ministries to offer the congregation. Our first focus was the children, exploring the possibility of a children's choir as well as re-incorporating Bible study for the children during Family Night. Secondly, we looked at our teens. We discussed separate weekend retreats for both boys and girls. Parent/teen banquets were discussed as another ministry for our youth and their families.
Lastly, we focused on the adults of the church. Our goal is to offer a weekly men's Bible Study and a short 4-6 week women's Bible Study. Other possibilities are co-ed Bible Study and seminars for both men and women.
Our next meeting will be November 9th at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Anyone feeling so lead is invited to join us with their enthusiasm as we learn and share together how we can offer faith developing ministries for our church family and community.
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Next Sunday, 18 October, the focus of our worship will be Risk-Taking Mission & Service. Mission and Service describe the projects and work we do to make a positive difference in the lives of others, both here and around the world, whether they they will be members of this church or not. Risk-Taking pushes us out of our comfort zone to do new and different things. During the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prayers on Risk-Taking Mission and Service in Cultivating Fruitfulness. We encourage households and friends to read the Scriptures, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. We'll find new ways to see the extravagance of God in our lives. On 12 October , the INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT committee was scheduled to meet. Information from this meeting will be posted when available. |
The Passionate Worship Team met with eight present. Worship binds hearts toward God as it stretches our hands outward to others. Worship equips and encourages. God's Spirit changes us through worship. Worship includes both community and personal worship times (devotional, prayers, etc.).
The group was broken into groups and asked to think through the tangible aspects of our worship space and delivery. Each group focused on one of the below areas and the following ideas/actions were forthcoming:
The Passionate Worship Team will meet again on 2 November at 7 p.m.
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Next Sunday, 11 October, the focus of our worship will be Intentional Faith Development, the way we purposefully learn, grow, extend ourselves, and mature in faith together. During the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prayers on Cultivating Fruitfulness. We encourage households and friends to read the Scriptures, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. Together we will explore new ways to grow in faith, love, and ministry in all the ages and stages of our lives. On 5 October the Passionate Worship committee was scheduled to meet. Information from this meeting will be posted when available. |
The Radical Hospitality Team met with nine present. The team was encouraged to remember that "This Sunday is the only Sunday that counts". The team discussed numerous items and took a tour from the parking lot inot the Sanctuary, looking from a different point of view than their own (i.e., walking with a child or pushing a stroller, in a wheelchair or using a walker, a college-aged person or youth, or as one not familiar with "church talk" or one not having a good grasp of English), Numerous items were pointed out, and these items will be given to the Pastor and/or appropriate church committee to look at. It was emphasized that, while New Fountain does an excellent job of welcoming visitors and newcomers, there is much more we could be doing! This will have to be a congregation-wide effort! Additional meeting will be held as required.
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Next Sunday, 04 October, the focus of our worship will be Passionate Worship, focusing on the time we gather deliberately seeking to encounter God. During the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prays on Passionate Worship in Cultivating Fruitfulness. We encourage households and friends to read the Scriptures, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. Discover together what God can do through our lives and ministry. On 21 September, the Radical Hospitality committee will meet at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. You are coordially invited to attend and participate in this Practice. |
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Next Sunday, 27 September, the focus of our worship will be Radical Hospitality - the way we actively invite, welcome, and care for those who are strangers. In the coming week, remember to be reading the seven devotions and prayers on Radical Hospitality in Cultivating Fruitfulness. We encourage entire households and friends to read and discuss these together. Read the Scripture, pray the prayers together, and take the daily challenge. Day One in Cultivating Fruitfulness is Monday, 21 September. Let's discover what can happen when all God's people learn and pray together. |
I am writing to you as your Lay Delegate to Annual Conference to encourage you to fully participate in our church's emphasis on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. These ideas aren't secret or new, but they are practices that can lead to excellence and growth in the life of our church. The Five Practices are: Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Rist-Taking Mission, and Extravagant Giving.
We will be focussing on these practices for five consecutive weeks beginning September 21, 2009 and ending October 26, 2009. Then during the next year, our teams will continue to meet and seek new opportunities for our church.
Just imagine what could happen if everyone in our congregation would spend five weeks - just thirty five days - reading, praying, discussing, and focusing on these Five Practices. God can change individuals, families, and our entire church, thus enhancing the difference we make in and beyond our surrounding community.
The devotional book, "Cultivating Fruitfulness", is in and will be distributed at the September 13th and 20th worship services. If you can not attend, you can pick up a copy at the church office at your convenience. Every member of your family is encouraged to read the daily devotionals and discuss the readings within the context of the Practice focus for that week.
You are invited to participate in this exciting emphasis in a variety of ways: Sunday morning Worship; Daily, at-home devotional readings; Planning Groups; and Special Teams.
Please watch the Sunday bulletin, bulletin inserts, and the church web site for additional information as we make this journey together. The web site contains all disseminated information in a dated, diary-like format accessible from the home page.
/signed/ Bill Meyers
Lay Delegate To Annual Conference
Five Practices Communications Team Member
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As you came into church today, you should have received a copy of the devotional book, "Cultivating Fruitfulness." If you did not,
please be sure to get one on your way out this morning. Every member should have a copy. The members of every household are encouraged to read these devotions, Scriptures, prayers, and challenges together during the five weeks beginning on 21 September. Praying and reflecting on each practice, how it affects your life, and what it means for the life of our church will prepare you for a transforming time of worship together. |
| 13 Sept | Devotional books, "Cultivating Fruitfulness", were distributed to congregants attending worship services |
| 21 Sept | Congregants will begin Day One of the daily devotional reading which continues for 35 days |
| 27 Sept | Sermon on Radical Hospitality |
| 28 Sept | Radical Hospitality meets at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Chair - Peg Tindall, 830-741-2870 |
| 04 Oct | Sermon on Passionate Worship |
| 05 Oct | Passionate Worship meets at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Chair - Kathy Riff, 830-426-1305 |
| 11 Oct | Sermon on Intentional Faith Development |
| 12 Oct | Intentional Faith Development meets at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Chair - Debbie Muennink, 210-213-8421 |
| 18 Oct | Sermon on Risk-Taking Mission |
| 19 Oct | Risk-Taking Mission meets at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Chair - Tara Lewis, 830-741-2103 |
| 25 Oct | Sermon on Extravagant Giving |
| 26 Oct | Extravagant Giving meets at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Chair - Sandi Schweers, 830-741-2308 |
On Sunday, September 27, Pastor Charlie will begin preaching on one of the Five Fruitful Practices - a congregation-wide initiative. This series of sermons will continue for five Sundays and the committee working the practice Charlie speaks about will meet the following Monday at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
This is where you, the congregation, come in. These committee chairs need volunteers to come forward and help them with their particular Fruitful Practice. The chairs will also be calling those they believe can be of assistance, but wouldn't it be nice if we could fill all five committees with volunteers? Please see the list below if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
There also three support teams in need of volunteers. They are:
Thank you for your prayerful consideration of these opportunities to help us find more fruitful ways to do God's work.
You may have already heard something about this upcoming effort. After two meetings hosted by our Lay Leader, Peg Tindall, and assisted by Pastor Charlie, various folks have volunteered to assume chairmanship of the committees forming the leadership team for this effort. Those people and the positions they volunteered for are:
These volunteers are looking for volunteers to form their committees. Please be in prayerful consideration and if you have any questions please contact Peg Tindall or the appropriate chairperson.
This effort will kick-off at the end of September, following Pastor Charlie and Lois's vacation, with P)astor Charlie preaching on one of the fruits each Sunday for five weeks. That team will meet during the week following Charlie's sermon.
This is not a program with a start and finish or a study of some kind. This is a means of revitalizing and renewing our purpose as a congregation - making disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world. Our goal is to find areas where we can improve as a Church and then modify our behavior in such a way that we change for the better the way we go about making disciples. Please watch for additional postings.