Author: thecgblog

Discipling Men in Small Groups, Part 3 – 21 Specifics

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Welcome to Part 3 of the discipling men series.   This part was originally inspired by Rick Howerton’s article, here.

Part 1 addressed WHY we should focus on men.  Part 2 offered seven principles for drawing men into godly discipleship.  Part 3 explores the specifics of discipling men.

If you are discipling a man or a group of men, I hope you will pore over this list, add to it, print it, and use it to help guide you to an absolutely life-changing, fruitful and God-glorifying series of meetings together.  Several additional good resources are linked and cited along the way.

Here we go now…21 Things to Remember when Leading / Discipling Men:


  1. Men need to see a vision. They need a mental image of the final outcome of accomplishing your goals.
  2. Begin with the End in Mind. Your discipleship will be more successful out of the starting block if you already know how it feels to cross the finish line.
  3. Make sure they are really Christians. Make sure they have a saving faith.  Repenting and believing in Christ includes admission of guilt as a sinner, belief in Jesus, and trust in Him alone as Savior. Saving faith will be demonstrated by fruit in his life (Eph. 2:8-10; James 2:17; Gal. 5:22-25).
  4. Men need to be aware of the need for biblical manhood. Men today are confused over what it means to be a man; confused men cause problems and settle for less. The “American male” is friendless, sexually addicted, emotionally isolated, and searching spiritually. Culture offers no lofty vision of manhood today that is compelling to men. The Bible gives answers to all of the above.
  5. Men need to know and strive towards the Bible’s “20 Measures of a Man” in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-10. These are not simply requirements for elders.  They are marks of maturity for ALL Christian men, from which elders can accordingly be identified.
  6. Men need social time, not just meeting times. Social time on the golf course, at the pool hall, on the ball field, etc… is what will make the meeting times come to life.
  7. Men are warriors and need an enemy to fight and a battle to win. This is just the heart of a man. Be certain they know who the enemy is, Satan.
  8. Men need to be aligned with the mission and vision of the church. “…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Jesus in Matt. 16:18). The mission (The Great Commission) and vision (your local church’s vision statement) of the church actually offer a monumental task of historical importance; and a team, family, and place with which to accomplish it. (cf. LCCC’s Mission and Vision)
  9. Men need a bar raised high. Boredom sets in quickly when a goal is easily attainable.
  10. Few men are readers, so find the right tools. You may be a book junky, they may junk the book. Learn each man’s preference and capabilities for reading. Use the right resources and press the “homework” limits accordingly.
  11. “To use a curriculum, or not to use a curriculum?” The key to this dilemma is to neither be completely closed to a curriculum nor bound to a curriculum. Your precious time together needs to be thoughtful, selective, prepared and directed; not randomly free-spirited or lifelessly, mechanically bound to a book. LCCC has a variety of resources including books for the readers, and spiritual assessment sheets for the non-readers. Find LCCC’s own one-page disciple’s growth assessment here: Disciples Growth Tool.
  12. Men will dodge real life issues by deflecting and talking about facts. For instance, you might ask a guy what God is teaching him during his daily time with God. His response might be to tell you he had his quiet time three times this week. You’ll need to dig deeper.
  13. Men need time to know they can trust you. You’ll need to open the door to this kind of transparency by revealing your stuff first.
  14. Men will lie to you. Every accountability list I’ve ever seen had as the last question something like this… “Were any of your responses misleading or all out lies?” Don’t declare a man the enemy because of this, he’s been taught by society to protect his influence in this way. Simply help him step into the light of honesty so God can redeem his heart.
  15. Men need MODELS, not INFORMATION.
  16. Men need a project. Women grow well together face to face. Men do better shoulder to shoulder. Tue colors are revealed, and deep satisfaction is reached while accomplishing a project. Make serving with him at least once a vital part of his discipleship.
  17. Men need measurable goals and accountability to reach them. These are a must if you want to see any significant growth.
  18. Men need to be told early and often about their responsibility to lead his household well. See/review Part 1 for explanation. And remember, spiritual parenting is the BEST way to grow ourselves.
  19. Men need to know how their time at work can be used for Christ. We spend more time at work than anywhere else.  1 Corinthians 10:31 says to glorify God (make Him look good) in EVERYTHING you do, ANYWHERE you are.  The Great Commission is to make disciples “as you are going”, which means ANYWHERE you have influence.  Secular work for the Christian man is not second class; it is strategic.
  20. Mature men multiply. Discipleship isn’t complete until they are discipling others.  This includes wife and kids immediately, and a younger man in the faith as soon as possible. Our goal in discipleship is following Jesus by “making disciples who make disciples.”
  21. There are so many more. What did I miss? What can you add to this discussion? What else have you contributed to the spiritual life of men you have discipled?

SOURCES:

Rick Howerton’s blog, Nine Things to Remember When Discipling Men

Gene Getz, The Measure of a Man

Group Publishing, Men’s Ministry in the 21st Century

Voddie Baucham, What He Must Be if He Wants to Marry My Daughter

John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

Stu Weber, Tender Warrior

Randy Pope, The Intentional Church

Men’s Fraternity

The Bible

My own observations and beliefs

Discipling Men in Small Groups, Part 2 – Getting and Keeping Them

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Last weekend I started a three part series on Discipling Men in Small Groups. If you missed Part 1, I encourage you to read it right here.

In Part 2 are Seven Initial Necessities for Getting and Keeping Men involved in our small groups (derived from Rick Howerton’s original list of six, here. )

If you have a heart for men and a concern for the strength of our families, churches and modern Christianity in general, consider how you might implement these steps with the men of your small group.

Seven Necessities for Getting and Keeping Men in Small Groups

1.      When listing the goals of a small group never use the term “intimacy.” This will make most men cringe, and run!

2.      When working on a group covenant/agreement together, make certain the men in the group are engaged in the conversation. They may remain silent for a while, but they need ownership of the covenant in order to commit to it. So, engage them. Ask for their input; what they like or dislike about this agreement and commitment. They will only sense ownership if they are given the right to push back. And when they do, they will be pleased to commit to something worthwhile.

3.      Give the men in the group more time than the females in the group to begin revealing who they really are. Men are apt to talk in facts and clichés for a long period of time before ever giving an opinion about a biblical passage or unveiling what’s going on in their personal lives. Don’t rush it. If you want to speed up the process, subgroup into two groups – a men’s subgroup and a women’s subgroup. Men are more open to talking about their life situations, struggles, and sins when women aren’t listening in.

4.      When deciding on social experiences suggest things the men in the group get excited about. Go camping, fishing, hunting, paintballing, to a ballgame, etc… When a group leader suggests experiences like these the men in the group subconsciously recognize this group is going to work for them.

5.      Cast a missional vision that makes a real difference in the world. When we make community the supreme purpose of small groups, it leaves men wanting, we rarely get it anyway, and we almost never make an impact on the world. But, when we champion accomplishing a mission together, men are invigorated by the challenge, the group impacts the world, and the entire group experiences true Christian community like never before.

6.      Take pleasure in sarcasm and laughter. We men are notorious for turning a meeting into a brawl, harassing one another and laughing at one another. Don’t let this get out of hand but don’t demand the environment of a wake either. If you give men freedom to laugh and tease early in the meeting they will seldom be angry or disappointed if you ask them to calm it down during the Bible study and prayer times.

7.      Unless everyone is in agreement, don’t demand homework from group members or that they read a book. Few men are readers and even fewer are willing to do homework. This will be possible in time but not as the group first starts meeting together.

Are you on the right path toward fully engaging the men of your group?

Please notice that these seven “necessities” do not suggest or imply a lack of commitment, winning them with entertainment, or cheapening the value of the church family. Much the opposite, men long to commit to something meaningful and bigger than themselves. And, you, the small group leader and shepherd of biblical truth and community, offer just that opportunity!

In the next post, Part 3 of this series, we will get into the specifics of discipling men.

Blessings on your homes,

Reg

P.S. We have scheduled a LARGE Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning, 4/2/11, 8:30-10:00AM.  Pastor David Pritchard will be speaking on the future of Men’s Ministry at LCCC.  *The ladies will be away at the Women’s Retreat. There WILL be free childcare offered at the church!

Discipling Men in Small Groups, Part 1 – WHY

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Lake City Community Church has recognized the need to renew our emphasis on family – both with the church as family, and the church as partner to our biological families.  Much more will be said, taught, and modeled about these family aspects in the coming months and years.

This three-part blog series will deal specifically with men and small groups. Though these blogs will only scratch the surface, this is a good time and place to begin the conversation among our small group leaders.

WHY focus on the men?

Most importantly, the Bible unequivocally identifies men as:

  • the spiritual leaders of their homes (Gen 3; 1 Cor 11)
  • responsible to spiritually care for their wives (Eph 5; 1 Peter 3)
  • responsible to train and instruct their children in the Lord (Deut 6; Eph 6).

God gave men these responsibilities whether they know it or not, and whether they want them or not.

Culture has really skewed these biblical truths, hasn’t it?  Unfortunately, the church, to an extent, has also contributed to the problem.  What has the structure of the modern American church typically taught its men?

The church offers classes led by ‘trained’ teachers. The church offers AWANA and children’s ministry led by ‘trained’ volunteers. The church offers youth groups led by ‘trained’ youth leaders.  The church offers women’s Bible studies, and a women’s ministry. The result is a subtle message from the church that takes the godly pressure off the men to spiritually lead their families. The church is essentially willing to do it for them! They see their responsibility to just connect their families to the church, affirm the church and support it with time and money.

The intent of these programs was certainly never to lead to the abrogation (or abuse) of the men’s responsibilities to spiritually lead their households. But programmatic structures in churches, and corresponding changes in modern culture, have tended to lead to just that response by men, whether due to unawareness, apathy, or outright rejection of God’s Word.

The only way it’s possible

I readily admit that I constantly battle the flesh in fulfilling these responsibilities which God has given me for my family.   I could not do it without God’s provision of a supporting church family that continually reminds me of this responsibility, teaches and equips me with resources to do it well, and holds me accountable for it. Obeying God’s will is constantly challenging; but it is constantly rewarding.

Men, are you ready to join the ranks of those who are leading their families well? You can’t do it alone.  Small Group Leaders, are you ready to support your men in the specific ways that they need it? In the next couple blog posts, we’ll get into those specifics.

Blessings on your homes,

Reg

Three Inspiring Testimonies of Lake City Small Group Growth

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I have always said that small groups are like children, in that each is incredibly unique. Another similarity between small groups and children is striking me these days. Like children, small groups mature.

This shouldn’t be surprising, since, according to Ephesians 4, that’s the whole point! “…then we will no longer be infants…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ…”  (Eph. 4:11-16)

Today, I want to share just three examples of LCCC’s maturing small groups.  I hope these examples will give you ideas and inspiration for your own experience in Christian community.

1. Adam and Sharalyn Stenberg Group–-Being the Church Scattered (Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 5:19)

Here’s an awesome note I received from Adam about their group:

“I’ll also take this chance to share with you our new format, which we’re pretty excited about.  We finally started singing each meeting.  We kept talking about it, now are finally doing it.  We sing a few hymns around the piano after dinner.  Then we move on to memory work.  We’re doing the Navigator’s Topical Memory System (TMS).  Their third group is “Rely on God’s Resources.”  Each week, we’re responsible to memorize two verses and recite them to a partner or as a group.  Then we move into testimony time.

“We are rotating who gives their testimony each week…a chance to get to know each other as friends, know better how to pray for them, and ask some interesting questions.  Each person centers their testimony around a chapter from the book, “10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe.”  Each of the nine members selected one topic.  We can easily identify with many of them so that naturally leads into a group discussion.

“Then we end with prayer time. It’s all a way to get everyone involved and energized, develop camaraderie, and even involve the kids. Children take part in various aspects of the whole time so it cuts down on childcare needs. It took a few years, but the group is really melding well. We can feel free to drop our kids off with each other in a pinch.  Four sets of piano lessons are being given across the families. We’re really energized when we meet. It’s great to be a part of.”

What a great report!  These kinds of things don’t happen over night. Great job, Stenberg group, on growing over the last couple years to be “the church scattered” together!

2.  Woods Group – Creative and Productive Meeting Format (Col. 3:16; Eph 5:21)

Newer leaders, Jason and Stephanie Woods, have devised a remarkably impactful format for their group meetings:

“We begin with conversation and prayer. Then we study the sermon that was preached in church that weekend. As I listen to the sermon, I write down discussion questions, and I encourage the other group members to do the same.

“After the sermon study, the men and the women split up for accountability time. This has been enjoyable and effective. Among other things, each of the men shares one outstanding thing from their Bible reading during the week. Each of the women goes over their prayer requests and goals together, keeping each other accountable. Then, we finish up with snacks, and, of course, coffee.”

Gender accountability groups and sermon study are two great ideas for a small group. Great job combining them, Woods Group!  If other groups want to try either of these ideas, ask to see the resources and supplemental study helps we have available for you.

3.  Bakken Group–-Caring for One Another (1 Cor. 12:25; Gal. 6:2) – Here’s an inspiring note I received from Sue Bakken about their group:

“Reg, I just thought you might be encouraged by our little small group.  [One of our members] is in a very serious health condition, and thus cannot work….Our small group made extra soup to give her family today, and we took a collection to help pay her phone bill. We collected more than the amount that was needed for that and other items they need.  We are also in contact with Habitat for Humanity and rumor has it they want to build in Stafford’s neighborhood…and she would be a likely recipient…we just need to ask God to open doors if this would be His will.  Anyways…everyone was encouraged, felt they were a part of this…I am.  Sue”

*** Honorable Mention – Schock Group – Best Use of Bus

This is just one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen:

John and Shari Schock’s group meets on Wednesday night, during AWANA, at Peter and Abby Johnson’s house. The Johnsons also happen to be owners of a shuttle bus. At the end of their meeting time, all the men hop on the bus to go pick up the kids from AWANA.  The men and women love their separate time together, and the kids love hopping on the bus with the men! Now that, is very cool.

What stories of spiritual maturity are coming from your group? Please share them, whether by commenting on this blog post, or by telling me about them, maybe for a future edition of More Great Testimonies of LCCC Small Group Growth!

Blessings on your homes,

Reg

How To Analyze Your Small Group’s Health

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This post is derived from Frank Chiapperino’s post here.

Use these lists of questions to stay on top of your small group’s health in these four most important relationship areas:

  1. [God] Your personal relationship with God and your group’s relationship with God.
  2. [Each other] The depth of your relationships with your group members and their relationships with each other.
  3. [Leadership] The number of future leaders your group is producing and you are personally investing in.
  4. [Evangelism] The relationships your group has with unchurched people and the passion they tap into to connect those people to God.

Evaluation Questions:

God:

  • How often do you pray for your group each week?
  • Do you and your group members discuss personal time spent with God?
  • How much time do you spend in prayer and Bible study each day?
  • Does your group spend time talking about prayers that God has answered?

Each other:

  • How many times does your group meet in an average month?
  • How many parties, socials, or fun group activities has your group had in the past 3 months?
  • How many times have you invited someone from your group over for a meal in the past two months?
  • Do you ever participate in church activities as a group by going together?
  • How often do you communicate with group members by phone, e-mail, cards, or letters to encourage them?

Leadership:

  • Does your group have an assistant-leader or an apprentice?
  • How many of your group members expect to lead a group sometime in the future?
  • How many people in your group participate by leading different components of the meeting? (For example: prayer time, icebreaker, Bible reading, etc.)
  • How often does your group pray about developing new group leaders?
  • Who in your group would you like to see become a leader?

Evangelism:

  • How often does your group pray for people far from God?
  • How many parties or gatherings have you had, not spiritual in nature, that your group members could invite their non-Christian friends to?
  • When a visitor attends your group for the first time, how often do you follow up with a phone call, card, or an invite to breakfast or lunch?
  • Does your group have a goal to grow or start another group?

Good Small Groups

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This article is derived from Ben Reed’s blog post, here.

Most people want their group to succeed.  They want to grow spiritually and help others grow as well.  They want to have vibrant meetings that challenge people’s faith and encourage them to love God and others more.  They want to help foster healthy marriages and strong, God-honoring parenting.  They don’t want the group meeting to be a drag on anyone.  Rather, they long for everyone in the group to look forward to the meeting because they’re building healthy relationships with those in the group.

These people are willing to do what it takes to craft a successful group…they’re just not always sure what they should be doing to make that happen.

Here are my thoughts about what good small groups (and good small group leaders) should be in the business of doing:

Good small groups

  • Communicate with each other more than once/week.
  • Are filled with admittedly broken people.
  • Embrace those far from Christ.
  • Don’t just talk about the Gospel.  They apply it.
  • Serve their community as much as they serve one another.
  • Don’t avoid difficult relational issues. They work through them.
  • Look a lot like a healthy church.

Good small group leaders

  • Embrace the messiness of relationships.
  • Are quick to offer grace because they’ve been given so much [grace].
  • Ask for help.
  • Look a lot like good pastors.
  • Are patient with group members who are difficult to love.

These lists gets the conversation going pretty well. What else do you think good small groups should be doing?

What else do you think good small group leaders should be doing?

 

Answers to the Questions Most Often Asked by First Year Small Group Leaders

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Whether you’re  a new leader, a veteran with some very common questions, or maybe open to leading a small group in the near future, here are some helpful resources given by small group guru Rick Howerton, with a couple of my own additions.

Just click on the title to go to a blog post on that particular topic.

What do I do about the overly talkative group member?

Suggestions for Helping the Overly Talkative Group Member

What should I do when most of the small group doesn’t show up for the group meeting?

When Only a Few People Show Up for the Group Meeting
Leftover, When a Small Group Gets Smaller

How do I get group members to talk more during the meeting?

The Importance of Conversations Between Meetings

How do I get group members to make a meaningful commitment to the small group?

Small Group Covenants, Why Covenant, How to Covenant

How can I bring our Bible study time to life?

Journeying, Five Necessities for Guiding Your Group Beyond Bible Study

How do we handle confrontation in the group?

Confronting in Small Groups, Wisdom from Joel Comiskey

Lake City Small Group’s resource article: Conflict Resolution – a Biblical Model for LCCC

How do I make sure that our conversational Bible study isn’t a night of shared ignorance?

Bible Study, A Night of Shared Ignorance

What should we do about childcare!?

Lake City Small Group’s Childcare Statement

Our season of training and kick-off is just about here!  Blessings and prayers on your preparations. I look forward to our ministry, for His glory throughout the earth,

Pastor Reg

LCCC Updates – Curriculum Updates; our Online Community; January Leader Training

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! Though you will get no “bubbly” from your small groups pastor this year :), I do have some important small group updates…

Curriculum Updates

  • Sarah and I are working together through a book that came highly recommended for small groups or accountability groups – James Bryan Smith’s The Good and Beautiful Community. Its aim is to: “Create a happy marriage between contemplation and action; piety and mercy; personal devotion and social service.” This book is an absolute life-changer, and I am looking for a group or two that would be willing to work through it this semester to evaluate if we may use it for an all-group campaign some time in the future. Anyone interested in discussing this option??


  • We just ordered Mark Driscoll’s DVD series Vintage Jesus for the Russ Williams group. Russ is the only one so far to take advantage of “The Lake City Offer” –We will purchase the DVD and/or leader’s book for groups interested in doing any kind of study that is not currently in our curriculum library.

    Online Community

    Don’t forget to visit the Lake City Small Groups’ Online Community from time to time. Sure, you probably already use Facebook or Twitter, but this option gives our leaders and each group a great place to connect, share material, make plans and stay informed about our shared ministry.

    How have you liked this blog so far? If you have enjoyed it or gotten some use from it, let me know by leaving a comment on any of the posts!  And if you haven’t already subscribed to this blog, please do so right here. This notifies you every time a new blog entry has been posted.

    January Leader Training

    Thank you for being so faithful to your commitment to attending leader trainings before each semester. We are witnessing huge growth in Christ’s under-shepherds at LCCC. This semester’s training schedule will consist of:

    1.  Veteran Small Group Leader Training, Sunday, January 9, during 2nd service, in the Lower Gym. (Watch for the forthcoming e-vite.)

    • Offered only once this time, so please make it a priority to your schedule.
    • If you’re not able to attend, you’ll be asked to participate two weeks later in the New Leader Orientation as a resource for Q&A/discussion.

      2.  New Leader Orientation, Sunday, January 23, during the 2nd service, in the Lower Gym.

        Once again, a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours.

        Pastor Reg

         

        ENLIGHTENING CHRISTMAS RESOURCES

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        I love uncovering the truth behind holiday traditions because it’s important to know what truths we should revere and celebrate, what embellishments we should  enjoy lightheartedly, and what heresies we should simply avoid altogether. And along the way of uncovering truth, you discover some fascinating details.  I’ve selected a few of the most enlightening and most useful Christmas resources to include on this year’s Christmas blog post. Give them a few moments of your time, and I think your small groups and families will find them edifying and enjoyable.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

        Reg

        The MYTHS about the “MYTHS” of Christmas

        These two videos are excellent! While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of 100% of every detail in them, their content is in line with what I’ve known and learned.  Being in video form makes them easy to absorb and to share with anyone, including kids.  Forward this blog post to everyone you think would enjoy knowledge about Christmas!

        Video 1 answers the questions:

        1. Should we celebrate Christmas?
        2. How do we celebrate Christmas?
        3. When do we celebrate Christmas?
        4. What are the biblical understandings of Christmas?

        Video 2 uncovers the historical truth behind:

        1. The Christmas Tree
        2. The Christmas Wreath
        3. Santa Clause
        4. The writings of the early church fathers about Christmas and Christ’s birth date
        5. The history of the early settlers in the U.S. and Christmas celebration.

        John MacArthur’s Sermon: “Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem,” Part 1

        While listening to sermons on my iPod, this one blew me away!  But not in the way sermons usually affect people. What blew me away was how eloquently Pastor John MacArthur relates his enormous amount of historical research on Christmas with the simplicity of the biblical message of Christmas.  Comparing the quintessential Christmas text, Luke 2:1-7, with the all the elaborate, complex traditions we have developed over the centuries, he  answers the intriguing question…“How can you take such a simple story as we’ve just read in seven verses and come up with such a complicated celebration?”

        Part 1 is only 25 minutes long, and is well worth either listening to or reading.

        You can listen to the audio or read the transcript for free at this link: http://www.gty.org/Shop/Audio+Lessons/42-22_Jesus-Birth-in-Bethlehem-Part-1

        Videos Just for Fun

        North Point Church’s “iBand” – Have you heard of the iPhone; the iPad? Do you know anything about their capabilities?  You will after watching this video of techy musicians…or are they musical technicians?  You decide!

        Finally, this video is ubiquitous on-line, and you’ve probably already seen it – more than once! But JUST in case you have not, here it is…The Digital Nativity Story according to today’s social media.

        LCCC UPDATES — Christmas Offering, Family Survey, Events

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        Each one of these updates requires some kind of a response/action this time. It’s all great stuff, so enjoy! And blessings on your homes and ministries,

        -Reg

        ·

        CHRISTMAS OFFERING

        Hopefully you received Pastor Jim’s Christmas offering letter in the mail last week, which presents (no pun intended) an opportunity to further LCCC’s Kingdom work and our personal growth through sacrificial giving.  This offering will go towards three very special ministry areas, and is devoted to nothing less than the glory of God. “…so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15).

        The pastors and elders have agreed to lead the way in sacrificial giving; we know we’ll be blessed.  We want to ask you to lead that way with us; and join in the blessings from sacrifice. (Matt 19:29) And, will you pass that challenge on to your small group? Lead your group in one of the most Christlike actions – giving.  (Phil. 2:6-11) (2 Cor. 8 & 9)

        ↓

        FAMILY SURVEY

        If you haven’t taken LCCC’s family survey yet, please take just a few minutes to do so.   Your input will greatly assist the developments in family ministry at LCCC!  Take the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RB6KLJQ

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        JBC CONFERENCE TRIP

        Pastor Jim tries to take a group from LCCC to this conference every year. This year we are paying for the small group leaders and assistants to come – a great investment in our church.  And a fun time for all who go!  We would LOVE if you could come.  Find the details on our online community website’s home page.  The deadline for hotel reservations is January 3. Please let me know very soon if you’re considering it? In fact, shoot me an email right now if you’re at least considering, at: reg.overstreet@lc3.com.

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        AHS CHALLENGE for TILLICUM

        Several of you are aware of the national competition for a community renewal grant from AHA and Habitat for Humanity.  http://www.ahschallenge.com/ Our own Tillicum is in a dramatic battle to win, and we can help by clicking some buttons! There is screaming pressure coming from the Columbus, Ohio project!  Many in the LCCC family are already voting daily, but we need more!  Catch the fever and vote daily here  http://www.ahschallenge.com/Participants.aspx (Sort by # of votes – we should be on top.) Only 45 days left!

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        GREAT COMMISSION-FOCUSED WINTER

        By the providence of God, LCCC will experience a number of exciting Great Commission oriented moments this winter, making disciples by every means possible. Here is a bullet point list of what to expect and plan with your small groups.

        • December 26 – Commissioning of Bobbi Bails on a 6 month mission to tour with a Ugandan Children’s Choir
        • January 1/2 – Commissioning our Moscow Stuff-a-Stocking Team
        • January 8/9 – Small Group Leader Training; and Guest SIM Missionary Kendrick Lau and family will be giving a brief update on Niger, and speaking to our children and youth and possibly any interested small groups.
        • January 15/16 – Small Group Connection event; and official Winter/Spring Semester Small Group Kick Off!
        • January 17-19 – JBC Prayer Conference Trip!
        • January 28-29 – David and Kelli Pritchard Marriage Conference; the Pritchards are also leading two Sunday morning parenting workshops in January, dates still TBD. These are GREAT opportunities for the parents and families of your small groups whom you are discipling.
        • January 22/23 – New Leader Orientation; heavy promotion of Howie Brant Missions Weekend (Feb 12/13)
        • February 4 – MOPS  Auction
        • February 12/13 – “40 Years of Purpose” Missions Weekend with Howie and Jo Brant. Starts Saturday with Morning Manna in the morning, and Family Missions Presentation and dinner or dessert on Saturday night.  Continues Sunday with various events.  Also, commissioning of Niger Mission Team this weekend.
        • February 19 – Membership 101 Class; …also, Ministry Class 301 is being scheduled for either February or March
        • March – Concert of Prayer with full report from Moscow and Niger Missions Teams, date TBD

        Whew, so many opportunities to grow our small groups in discipleship of every kind. And I’m sure I missed something, but thanks for taking the time to begin praying and planning. God bless you as you do.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!