Does this have an order for depth? Do you start in one "circle" and go toward the "middle"? Should it?
1. Following Jesus - Weekly communion on Sunday morning. Hmmm... This seems weak. Make the point in each monthly sermon topic that the appropriate response is to follow Jesus and point to where he leads. This is helpful. Also the prayer side of things will always lead them to "Follow Jesus." Does this permeate everything we do? Yes, and it should. This element will be found in everything we do and won't be a separate piece except for the foundation of communion as a calling to Christ, not just to worship Him, but to make Him a part of you.
2. Studying Scripture - The word studying seems inappropriate. Bathe in Scripture. How about Meditate upon Scripture? Each month, the congregation will be given a portion of Scripture to read for the month, maybe 4 to 12 chapters. Very doable. The sermons will be based out of these sermons. Twice a month, a home gathering will spend some time fielding a discussion about the text. Questions not answerable at the first home meeting will come back to me and will be rediscussed at the second home meeting. I may give them a chapter checklist and the opportunity to turn them on (perhaps anonymously) for accountability.
3. ... I'll have to finish this later.
Showing posts with label structure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label structure. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
First Disciples
A key to the whole process must be the selection of the first disciples. They must consider themselves conduits. They must be "Pass it along" people, as well as Spiritually deep people.
I've had some requirements running around in my head.
1. Wanting to go deeper in their relationship with God.
2. Willing to meet with me for an hour a week. Ideally with the rest of the "First disciples," but due to horrible time restrictions on people's schedules, this may have to be one-on-one, but if twelve could be chosen (not possible at first), then you could have two or three groups. Perhaps this should be the limit of a church -- twelve functioning elders. Jesus didn't have more than twelve. So then you have to add complexity to your structure to disciple more and more people. Instead, perhaps you should daughter a church at this point, with one of your elders possibly starting the new church.
3. Willing to commit to the discipleship process, which will take them through the four aspects of discipleship, studying the classic texts, working on the monthly projects in some capacity.
4. Willing to gather others in their homes twice a month to extend the process.
5. Take an elders test that I found with the Great Commission. I took this test in one church. The Great Commission only allows men as elders, which I will allow women. And the test isn't a pass/fail. I was told if I don't show any problems on the test, I'm probably not transparent or outright lying. It shows a disciple where he/she needs to grow, and could in the process show that they shouldn't be in leadership at this time. You have to have a password to look at their resources.
6. Willing to participate in monthly projects, bringing others from their group with them.
7. Willing to participate in functions either on Sunday morning or a Quarterly gathering to be available to meet people who might like to participate in their bi-monthly home group.
This is an area I have failed. I haven't made a list of requirements and held anyone to it. I'm assuming this should be my #1 priority. It was certainly Jesus' #1 priority.
I've had some requirements running around in my head.
1. Wanting to go deeper in their relationship with God.
2. Willing to meet with me for an hour a week. Ideally with the rest of the "First disciples," but due to horrible time restrictions on people's schedules, this may have to be one-on-one, but if twelve could be chosen (not possible at first), then you could have two or three groups. Perhaps this should be the limit of a church -- twelve functioning elders. Jesus didn't have more than twelve. So then you have to add complexity to your structure to disciple more and more people. Instead, perhaps you should daughter a church at this point, with one of your elders possibly starting the new church.
3. Willing to commit to the discipleship process, which will take them through the four aspects of discipleship, studying the classic texts, working on the monthly projects in some capacity.
4. Willing to gather others in their homes twice a month to extend the process.
5. Take an elders test that I found with the Great Commission. I took this test in one church. The Great Commission only allows men as elders, which I will allow women. And the test isn't a pass/fail. I was told if I don't show any problems on the test, I'm probably not transparent or outright lying. It shows a disciple where he/she needs to grow, and could in the process show that they shouldn't be in leadership at this time. You have to have a password to look at their resources.
6. Willing to participate in monthly projects, bringing others from their group with them.
7. Willing to participate in functions either on Sunday morning or a Quarterly gathering to be available to meet people who might like to participate in their bi-monthly home group.
This is an area I have failed. I haven't made a list of requirements and held anyone to it. I'm assuming this should be my #1 priority. It was certainly Jesus' #1 priority.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)