The Best Laid Plans...
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 25 May 2008 in From Steve's Study ::
Last Sunday afternoon, a large group of people from the 9.45am congregation met to make plans for the future of our congregation. We spent a great deal of time identifying the key strengths and problems of our lives together and have come up with a number of ideas. More will be said about this, but here are just a few of the bigger ideas that were discussed:
- Sunday Services
* There is a need to provide more focus on the bible message each week, perhaps through times of meditation or questions
* A greater emphasis needs to be put into the part of the service where the children are present, to include them and encourage them to grow in their knowledge of God
* Prayer is a vital part of our services & innovative ideas about how to teach people to pray are important
- Outreach
* We need to consider carefully how to capitalise on the strong relationships we have with our community (through school, playgroup, pre-school, youth groups & sporting clubs)
* An outreach team will be developed to help put together calendars of events and training
* A cultural change needs to take place to help all members of the church to be intentional with regards to outreach
- Welcoming
* Welcoming is not just the job of the people on the door, but of everyone. A welcoming team will be developed to help get this idea across
* Previous structures, such as Newcomers Lunches, Name Tags, Cards etc will be revived
* Structures, such as a “buddy” system, will be put in place to help follow-up newcomers in the weeks after their visit
- Pastoral Care
* Clear structures need to be put in place to co-ordinate emergency care
People resources will be vital for communication and provision of practical help
Pastoral Care group will seek to ensure people don’t “fall through the cracks”.
Of course, these are just plans. We realise that they will have no impact unless God is at work through them. As a result, it vital that we commit all these ideas, indeed all the aspects of our lives together here at St Peters, to God in prayer. Please join us in praying for all our congregations.
Can I just finish by saying another big thank-you to the members of the 7pm congregation who helped on the day by looking after the kids during our meeting times and by cooking lunch for us. What a fantastic example of the body of Christ working together!
« You don't have to be Einstein to believe! Praying for our City»
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