Monday, March 06, 2006
Name of Post has been Changed due to Praise!
Happy Monday.
As I type we still haven’t heard news on Barb’s C.T. scan. We found out why on Friday. My sister-in-law Karen had an appointment with Barb’s doctor on Friday. She explained to Barb’s doctor that she was just a little stressed out awaiting the results. The doctor took Karen by his office and pointed to his desk. Apparently there was quite a stack of mail, scans, and what ever else a doctor is sent through the mail piled high on his desk. So keep Barb in your prayers as well as just pray for her state of mind as we await the results.
PRAISE REPORT -
I just received a call from Barbara. The scan was CLEAR!!! Let's say that again bloggers - "The scan was C-L-E-A-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praise God and thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your prayers!!!!!!!!
I love you guys.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!!!
Last night at our church we held something that will not occur for the next 3 months – a “traditional” (as our neighboring church might say) Sunday evening service. For the next 3 months Central will enter into a new phase of it’s life – small groups. We have approximately 150 people signed up for about 11 groups. As an elder I’m just plain excited about the possibilities for personal growth and outreach for our members. I’ve been involved personally in small groups in the past. I relish the close bonds you build with folks in your group. I just pray that our groups will perform the mathematical function of multiplication as we reach out to folks in our spheres of influence using the non-threatening medium.
We’re going to stop for the summer and re-evaluate for the Fall. How about this for a blogger question –
If you’ve been involved with small groups in the past or currently, comment on a positive and, or, a negative experience or aspect for this Rookie. I look forward to your comments.
As I type we still haven’t heard news on Barb’s C.T. scan. We found out why on Friday. My sister-in-law Karen had an appointment with Barb’s doctor on Friday. She explained to Barb’s doctor that she was just a little stressed out awaiting the results. The doctor took Karen by his office and pointed to his desk. Apparently there was quite a stack of mail, scans, and what ever else a doctor is sent through the mail piled high on his desk. So keep Barb in your prayers as well as just pray for her state of mind as we await the results.
PRAISE REPORT -
I just received a call from Barbara. The scan was CLEAR!!! Let's say that again bloggers - "The scan was C-L-E-A-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praise God and thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your prayers!!!!!!!!
I love you guys.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!!!
Last night at our church we held something that will not occur for the next 3 months – a “traditional” (as our neighboring church might say) Sunday evening service. For the next 3 months Central will enter into a new phase of it’s life – small groups. We have approximately 150 people signed up for about 11 groups. As an elder I’m just plain excited about the possibilities for personal growth and outreach for our members. I’ve been involved personally in small groups in the past. I relish the close bonds you build with folks in your group. I just pray that our groups will perform the mathematical function of multiplication as we reach out to folks in our spheres of influence using the non-threatening medium.
We’re going to stop for the summer and re-evaluate for the Fall. How about this for a blogger question –
If you’ve been involved with small groups in the past or currently, comment on a positive and, or, a negative experience or aspect for this Rookie. I look forward to your comments.
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Praise God for the good report! I am so thankful he answered those prayers for a clear scan.
As Judy mentioned our congregation has gone to small groups every Sunday night (every other month, we have a Sunday night Celebration service on the first Sunday). In our old style - one Sunday night a month - it was our best attended Sunday night by far, so we thought we were playing to our strength by expanding the scope of our small groups. We have 12 groups and 5 of them are doing excellently, 6 are limping along, and one has folded. Those that are working well are building strong relationships and having great spiritual growth. They are accomplishing most everything we had hoped and anticipated. The numerical growth we had hoped for from implementing groups hasn't been realized. And we made the groups a voluntary thing, with a group meeting at the building for those who didn't want to go to someone's home - but we never have more than half a dozen at the building, and less than half the congregation participates in the Life Groups. So it is a qualified success.
As Judy mentioned our congregation has gone to small groups every Sunday night (every other month, we have a Sunday night Celebration service on the first Sunday). In our old style - one Sunday night a month - it was our best attended Sunday night by far, so we thought we were playing to our strength by expanding the scope of our small groups. We have 12 groups and 5 of them are doing excellently, 6 are limping along, and one has folded. Those that are working well are building strong relationships and having great spiritual growth. They are accomplishing most everything we had hoped and anticipated. The numerical growth we had hoped for from implementing groups hasn't been realized. And we made the groups a voluntary thing, with a group meeting at the building for those who didn't want to go to someone's home - but we never have more than half a dozen at the building, and less than half the congregation participates in the Life Groups. So it is a qualified success.
Judy - That's the next set of prayers. Steven thought he did well. The scores don't come back until early May.
Randy - Good analogy.
John - Thanks for the "honest" data concerning your experience with small groups. We're using the model that Buddy Bell uses at Landmark in Montgomery, AL.
Randy - Good analogy.
John - Thanks for the "honest" data concerning your experience with small groups. We're using the model that Buddy Bell uses at Landmark in Montgomery, AL.
Been busy busy busy today. Just checked in and am SO glad to hear the good news. Thanks for sharing it so quickly.
Thanks Greg. Your comment sounds like the start to a riddle or (i.e. - How do you carry a 450lb Samoan down 2 flights of stairs?)joke.
We have the "numbers" on paper as far as the sign up for our small groups. It will be interesting to see how this translates into committment.
We have the "numbers" on paper as far as the sign up for our small groups. It will be interesting to see how this translates into committment.
Cecil, we used the Buddy Bell/Landmark model and training series as well. I still think it's an outstanding model. We have varying levels of commitment and ability among our group leaders which affects some of our groups. Don't shortcut the leader selection and training on the front end. If you do you'll feel like a duumoz (honest, that really was the word verification!)
Thanks John. We finished the Buddy's training videos last week and then held a wrap a session this past Sunday.
Our plan will be to meet at the building on the last Sunday of each of the 3 months to celebrate the successes of the Life Groups. The Leaders and Co-Leaders will also meet an hour before that service to "de-brief" on the status of their Life Group.
I think (pray) that we're in good shape with our Leaders and Co-Leaders and we have emphasized, emphasized that their meetings are not to become let’s have the “preacher / elders for dinner” sessions.
Thanks for the input. By the way, are you coming to the Pepperdine Lectures? We would love to have you hang out with us and see what duumoz we can be when we let (what's left) our hair down.
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Our plan will be to meet at the building on the last Sunday of each of the 3 months to celebrate the successes of the Life Groups. The Leaders and Co-Leaders will also meet an hour before that service to "de-brief" on the status of their Life Group.
I think (pray) that we're in good shape with our Leaders and Co-Leaders and we have emphasized, emphasized that their meetings are not to become let’s have the “preacher / elders for dinner” sessions.
Thanks for the input. By the way, are you coming to the Pepperdine Lectures? We would love to have you hang out with us and see what duumoz we can be when we let (what's left) our hair down.
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