Nice Neighbourhood eh?

This is why I love Autumn.

Small Group Models

Last Sunday we met to discuss some different models of small groups which could colour the way we life together as a Church.

Here is a list of the different forms which were discussed.

(If you can think of others feel free to add your ideas in the comments...)

Definition: A Group of people who meet together for a specific purpose.

Evangelism Cell

• Purpose: As a vehicle to reach into our communities in contemporary, biblical and relevant ways.
• Examples could be a midweek Parents/Caregivers group, a craft group or even something like Alpha or Journeys programmes. Luke 10:1-3
  

Social Network

• Purpose: People who just want to go out and spend time in social environments and to enjoy one-another’s company
• Examples could be a golf group, Tramping/Walking Group, Movie group or a Coffee group. Honouring the desire to belong before belief. Luke 19:5-6

Bible Study

• Purpose: To take a passage/section/theme from the Bible and develop a greater understanding of it’s Historical, literary, social and theological context. Acts 17:11
  

Action Team

• Purpose: To identify needs and opportunities within our communities which would benefit society in general; and to put plans in place to achieve them.
• Examples could be a street cleaning group, Graffiti cleaning or a Community Watch scheme. Nehemiah 2:17
  

Ministry Team

• Purpose: to Identify specific ministry needs and to be involved in meeting these within the church and the wider community.
• Examples could be Rest Home Services, Shut-in communion services or Bible in Schools Acts 15:22
  

Prayer Group

• Purpose: To meet regularly to pray for specific issues and personal requests and to hear from God
• Examples could include a Prayer walk around our community, personal ministry opportunities, Listening together to discern Gods will for one another. James 5:13-15
  

Accountability Group

• Purpose: To meet regularly to be accountable to one another for specific issues we are facing in life.
• Examples could be a weight loss/exercise group, financial responsibility or even an AA group Hebrews 10:24-25
  

Discipleship Group

• Purpose: to target specific areas of our walk with God and spiritual disciplines and to focus on these areas to learn and grow and strengthen one another
• Examples could be a focus on developing our “gifts” such as our preaching/teaching gifts or “How to read the Bible for all it’s Worth” or a Meditation group. Deuteronomy 4:1
  

Leadership Training

• Purpose: to develop specific leadership gifts within people to strengthen our understanding of what it means to be called by God as a leader.
• Examples could be in business/event management, ministry leadership and how these line up with biblical models. 2 Timothy 2:1-3
  

Congregation Plant

• Purpose: to plant a new congregation or form of worship which seeks to encounter different Christian worship traditions.
• Examples could be a Lectio Divina Service, a Youth Service, Hymn service or a Café Church. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
  

Worship Group

• Purpose: to meet to worship God in one or many different ways which reflect specific worship styles.
• Examples could be to spend time in His presence, singing Hymns or worship music, painting, poetry or any other form of worship. 1 Corinthians 14:26
  

Investment group

• Purpose: to share investment ideas and to resource business opportunities for financial gains.
• Examples could be Property/financial investment, opening a shop together, managing a charitable trust. Luke 8:1-3

South Park Me!

It's Pretty Close...

Who's on First - A Reprise

Recently, Hu Jintao was named chief of the Communist Party in China.

SCENE: The Oval Office.

George: Condi! Nice to see you. What's happening?

Condi: Sir, I have the report about the new leader of China.

George: Great. Let's hear it.

Condi: Hu is the new leader of China.

George: That's what I want to know.

Condi: That's what I'm telling you.

George: That's what I'm asking you. Who is the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes.

George: I mean the fellow's name.

Condi: Hu.

George: The guy in China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The new leader of China.

Condi: Hu.

George: The Chinaman!

Condi: Hu is leading China.

George: Now whaddya' asking me for?

Condi: I'm telling you Hu is leading China.

George: Well, I'm asking you. Who is leading China?

Condi: That's the man's name.

George: That's whose name?

Condi: Yes.

George: Will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader of China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir? You mean Arafat is in China? I thought he was in the Middle East.

Condi: That's correct.

George: Then who is in China?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir is in China?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Then who is?

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Yassir?

Condi: No, sir.

George: Look, Condi. I need to know the name of the new leader of China. Get me the Secretary General of the U.N. on the phone. I bet he knows.

Condi: Kofi?

George: No, thanks.

Condi: You want Kofi?

George: No.

Condi: You don't want Kofi.

George: No. But now that you mention it, I could use a glass of milk. And then get me the U.N.

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: Not Yassir! The guy at the U.N.

Condi: Kofi?

George: No, milk! Will you please make the call?

Condi: Call who?

George: Who is the guy at the U.N?

Condi: Hu is the guy in China.

George: Will you stay out of China?!

Condi: Yes, sir.

George: And stay out of the Middle East! Just get me the guy at the U.N!

Condi: Kofi?

George: All right! Light with sugar. Now get on the phone.

(Condi picks up the phone.)

Condi: Rice here.

George: Rice? Good idea. And a couple of egg rolls, too.

- Curtain -

Quote of the Day...

"the unexamined life is not worth living ... wisdom begins in wonder "

-Socrates

What is God saying to our Church today?

I asked a couple of older members of the Church the other day what they thought God is wanting to say to North Avon Baptist?

The response was, needless to say interesting but not at all unexpected.

Firstly the comment was that we need to get back to more "Biblical" preaching. Hearing this sort of comment before, and not being at all surprised it has surfaced I pushed the point and asked "When did you think we went away from being Biblical?"

The answer was not one I expected.

He responded by sharing about how back in the 60's society was becoming more consumer driven and even within the Church people were becoming more independent and were not as reliant upon God, the preaching was contributing towards this and this is where the church was deteriorating.

I continued to press the point, "Are you saying that the decline in the church, particularly at North Avon has been from the 60's onwards and that to see the church move forward we need to get back to Biblical teaching, we need to distance ourselves from the "Unbiblical" teaching which we have received over the last 40 years?"

Silence...

I wonder if this is something I should bring up in a service?