Creating a Discipleship System...Four Areas of Ministry Discipleship Ministries The teaching of the...

Seminar1:SettingsforMinistry

Creating a Discipleship System

Order from Amazon - $7.50 Discipleship Ministries www.TeamWorksUMC.org

TeamWorksGuidebooksandTools• Use theSpiritual LifeTemplateto buildyourgroup• Discoveryourgroup’sSpiritualGifts

TWS:SpirituallifeoftheLeader

• Discover yourhomelandandlearnaboutdisplacement• Use theNICHEProcesstolearnaboutyourcommunity

TWS: ConnectingtoYourCommunity

• Learn abouttheLifecycleoftheChurch• DiscoveryourSettingforMinistry

TWS:CreatingaDiscipleshipSystem

• Learn tousethepowerfulVAPàITStrategicPlanningTool• TaketheTeamWorksChurchAssessmentTWS:Futurecasting

Discipleship Ministries www.TeamWorksUMC.org

What’sinaTeamWorksGuidebook?

Two 2-HourSeminars

FourMyWorksDevotions

Two Toolsforcongregationallife

Support atwww.TeamWorksUMC.org

TeamWorks


InstructionsforSeminarLeadersTeamWorksSeminarsaredesignedtoencouragediscussion.Toprepareforeachseminardoasfollows:

• Setuparoomwithtableandchairsforyourseminar.

• YouwillneedanLCDprojectorandascreenoralargeTVthatcanbehooked uptoacomputertoshow thepresentations.

• DownloadthepresentationslidesforTW:DiscipleshipSeminar1:Settingsfromwww.TeamWorksUMC.org.YoumaygetthemasaPDForinPowerPoint. WhenusingPowerPointuseitinpresentationmodesoyoucanviewthenotesforeachslide.

• DownloadTWDiscipleshipSeminar1:SettingswithNotesPDF.Hereyouwillfindeveryslidewithtipsandideasabout itscontent.

• Beforeleadingaseminar,gotowww.TeamWorksUMC.organdwatchtheSeminarLeadersWebinarfortheseminaryouareleading.Thewebinarwillgothrougheachslideandwilloffertipsandideasforhowtoleadtheseminar.

• Setdatesfortheseminarsorfortheone-dayexperience.

• RecruitagroupofparticipantswhowillagreetoattendbothseminarsandtodotheMyWorkdevotions.


ScheduleyourSeminars


Use the template below to schedule your sessions. TeamWorks Seminars are designed for 2-hours. You also can do a one day format, with participants using the MyWork devotions to follow-up their experience. Plan for 4-hours with a break for a meal or refreshments.

Session Date Topic

Seminar One ___________________ Settings for Ministry

MyWork 1 ___________________ Disciple-MakingMyWork 2 ___________________ Settings for MinistryMyWork 3 ___________________ Leader Development of LaityMyWork 4 ___________________ Small Groups

Seminar Two ___________________ The Discipleship Process

Howtoleadtheseminars• TeamWorksSeminarsaredesignedtofosterdiscussionswithin

thegroup.Yourprimaryroleastheseminarleaderistofacilitatediscussions.

• Whenyoucometoadiscussionslidedividepeopleintogroupsofthreeorfourpeople.Havethemsharewithoneanother.Aftertheyarefinished,youcanaskindividualstosharewiththewidergroup.

• Avoidstartingwiththelargergroup.Why?Becausefewpeoplearewillingtotalkinfrontoflargergroups.Bydividingintosmallergroupsyouhelpeveryonehaveanopportunitytosharetheirideas.

• SpiritualLifeTemplate:IfyoudidTeamWorks:SpiritualLifeoftheLeadersandaredoingthewholeseries,starteachseminarwiththeSpiritualLifeTemplate.


(Paragraph 62, p. 70 in the 1996 Book of Discipline)

1. In which spiritual discipline(s) do you want to grow?

__ Weekly worship __ Daily Bible reading__ Daily prayer__ Frequency of communion:

__ Weekly __ Monthly __ Other__ Service to others__ Fasting or abstinence__ Tithing/Giving__ Family prayer

Other:

Tip: How does your church teach & mentor people in these disciplines?

Wesley’s Means of Grace

•The public worship of God•The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded•The Lord’s Supper•Family and private prayer•Searching the Scriptures•Fasting or abstinence•Christian conferencing

SpiritualLifeQuestions


2. What is your plan for your continued spiritual growth and development?How do you connect with God?

__ Day apart__ Worship __ Meeting with a prayer partner or coach__ Family prayer__ Daily devotion

Other: ________________________

How are you connecting with others?

__ Time alone with spouse or friend__ Focused time with your children__ Regular connection with extended family__ Prayer or accountability group__ Time with friends outside of church

Other: _______________________

What arts feed your soul?

__ Playing a musical instrument or singing__ Writing __ Drawing __ Cooking __Dance__ Gardening ___Acting ___Other:______

How are you taking care of your body?

__ Walking/running __ Active in a sport__ Healthy diet __ Yoga/Pilates

Other: ______________________

SpiritualLifeQuestions


Seminar1:SettingsforMinistry

Creating a Discipleship System

Today’sHumanCondition

• Abreakdowninrelationshipsthatleadstofeelingsofabandonmentorloss.

• Afeelingthatthe institutionsofsocietyhavenotkept theirpromises(work,government,education,church,family).

• AfeelingIhavetomakeitonmyownbecause Ihavelosttrustinotherpeopleandinsocietyasawhole.

• Feelingthechangesinsocietyhaveleftyoubehind. Driftingthroughtheworldwithout adeepsenseofconnection.

Rootlessness Self-seeking

LonelinessBrokenness

Source: Boomer Spirituality: Seven Values for the Second Half of LifeCraig Kennet Miller


So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. —Acts 2:41-42

FourAreasofMinistry


The teaching of the apostles is based on the teaching of Jesus. The basic purpose of the apostles’ teaching is to equip believers for service to others.

1.Apostle’sTeaching


2.Fellowship

In their living together, the early Christians became witnesses to others of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Today our connections to each other is a reflection of the fellowship Jesus shared with the disciples.


3.BreakingBreadThrough the breaking of bread, the first believers remembered Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf. On the cross Jesus gave his life for our sins. Now we are called as believers to celebrate new life by breaking bread and sharing Christ’s love with the world.


4.ThePrayersThrough prayer, a vision and passion for ministry unfolds as believers seek to follow God’s will for their lives and their collective ministry. Acts of worship and devotion bring them close to God and to one another.


FourAreasofMinistry

As people forgiven of their sins, they had followed the call to repent and be baptized. Through the Holy Spirit, they were now called to be in ministry together. —Acts 2:38

As you go through the following slides, look to see how the ministry focus of the early church helps us meet the deepest needs of humanity.


Repent &Be Baptized

Acts 2:38

Ministry priorities Results of ministry Human condition


Repent &Be Baptized

Acts 2:38

Self-seeking



Repent &Be Baptized

Acts 2:38

Self-seeking

Loneliness



Repent &Be Baptized

Acts 2:38

Self-seeking




Repent &Be Baptized

Acts 2:38

Self-seeking


Rootlessness



MinistryPriority ResultsofMinistry HumanCondition

FellowshipHowareyouincluding newpeoplein your faithcommunity?

Wheredoyouseelonelinessinyourcommunity?

BreakingBread HowareyouofferingthegraceofJesusChrist?

Wheredoyouseebrokennessinyourcommunity?

PrayersHowareyouhelpingpeoplediscoverGod’scallfortheirlives?

Wheredoyouseerootlessnessinyourcommunity?

Apostles’TeachingHowareyouequippingpeopleforservicetoothers?

Wheredoyouseeself-seeking inyourcommunity?


WhatDoChurchesDo?

LocalchurchescreatetheexperienceofgracewherepeoplegathertoconnectwithGodandwitheachother.


Informal

Individualactions

Randomoccurrences

Personalbehaviors

Formal

Groupactions

Organizedevents

Plannedexperiences

SettingsforMinistry


Wesley’sMeansofGrace• Thepublicworshipof

God• Theministryofthe

Word,eitherreadorexpounded

• TheLord’sSupper• Familyandprivate

prayer• SearchingtheScriptures• Fastingorabstinence• Christianconferencing

Informal•Dailydevotions•ReadingtheBible•Fastingorabstinence•Individualactsofmercy•StandforjusticeFormal•Worshipexperiences•SmallgroupBiblestudies•Sacraments•Missionaloutreach•Actsofjustice


Formal

• WorshipExperience• SmallGroupBibleStudy

• Sacraments• Outreach• Actsofjustice

Informal

• DailyDevotion• ReadingtheBible• FastingorAbstinence

• IndividualActsofMercy

• StandforjusticeDiscipleship Ministries www.TeamWorksUMC.org

SmallGroups5-15

MIssional Groups5-15

Fellowship/Instruction50-80

LargeGroups120+

FormalSettingsforMinistry


SettingsforMinistry

SmallGroup

5-15

Practicingspiritualdisciplines

Focusonpersonalgrowth

Diversityfoundinmultiplegroups

MissionalGroup

5-15

Actsofcompassionandjustice

Focus onimprovinglives

Diversity ofpeoplefrominsideand

outsidethechurch

Fellowship/Instruction

50-80

Everyoneknowsyourname

Unitedbysinglefocus

Homogeneousculturalperspective

LargeGroup

120+

Lost inthecrowd

Unitedbytheexperience

Diversity(thereisroomforeveryone)


Whataboutthenumbers?

5-15• The groupsizeforaccountability• Trust createsdeepsharing

50-80• You canlearneveryone’sname•Hardtojoinif youarenotpartofthegroup

120+• Feellikeyouarepartofanexperience• Youcantryitoutwithout standingout

• What’sthedifferencebetweengoingtoamovietheatrewith50peoplescatteredintheseatsversusafullcrowd?

• WhyisitthatlargemovementsliketheMethodistmovement(TheHolyClub)orChristianity(The12discipleships)startedsmall?

• Haveyouevershoweduptogroupofaround50whereeveryonekneweachotheralready?Howdidyoufeel?


Theissueisnotnumericalgrowth.Itisspiritualgrowth.

Byofferingmultiplesettingsforministry,youaregivingpeoplemoreopportunitiesforspiritualgrowth.


SmallGroupsFellowship/Instruction

LargeGroups

AllFour

MissionalGroups


Ying’sBar&Grill

ElMolinoHighSchool

HillSt.Grocery

PostOffice

ThirdSecondBank

1stChurch

CoffeeShop

FitnessCenter EstesPark

Usethiscitymaptoidentifyplaceswheresmallgroups,missionalgroups,fellowship&instructiongroups,andlargegroupscanofferministry.


DynamicsofGroupSettingsandSettingsforMinistrySurvey

SizeofGroup Setting Results

4 PersonalInteractionPerfectforin-depthdiscussionsandbuildingrelationships.(Jesus,John,James,&Peter)

5-15 SmallGroupPerfectfordiscipleshipandaccountability.Largeenoughforcontinuedinteractionandsupport.(TheTwelveDisciples)

5-15 Missional GroupsGreatforshorttermprojectgroups orlongtermmissionaleffortsinthecommunity.

16-49 FlounderingGroupstrugglesforself-identityandlongsfortheformerintimacyofthesmallgroup.

50-80 Fellowship/InstructionSelf-sustaininggroupthatishomogeneousandsinglefocused.Goodforinstructionandteaching.(70Disciples)

81-120 AwkwardSizegroupwherepeoplelongfortheeasyfamiliarityofthefellowship/instructionsizegroup.

120plus LargeGroupAlarge-groupdynamictakesplacethatenablespeopletofocusonGod.(The Temple Courtyard)

IdentifygroupsinyourchurchthatmatchthesegroupingsSizeofGroup Setting Dotheyfitthedescription?

Howcouldtheybereconfiguredtobettermatchtheirbestuse?Doyouhaveagoodbalanceofsmallgroups,missionalgroups,fellowship/instruction,andlarge groups?

4 PersonalInteraction

5-15 SmallGroup

5-15 MissionalGroups

16-49 Floundering

50-80 Fellowship/Instruction

81-120 Awkward

120plus LargeGroup


Discussion

• Whataretheimplicationsofthesettingsforministryforyourcongregation?

• Whatisthemixofsmallgroups,missionalgroups,fellowshipgroups,andlargegroupsinyourchurch?


SettingsforM

inistry

SmallGroups- Devotion

- Personalrelationships

MissionalGroups- Actsofservice- Contextual

Fellowship/Instruction- Everyoneknowsyourname

- Supportofthefaithcommunity

LargeGroup- Celebration

- Focus ontheexperienceDiscipleship Ministries www.TeamWorksUMC.org

SettingsforM

inistry



WheneverythingachurchdoeshappensintheFellowship/InstructionGroup,thislimitsitsgrowth.

Why?Becausepeoplearelimitedintheirspirituallifeandit’shardfornewpeopletojoin.


SettingsforM

inistry







- Focus ontheexperience

Churchescanbreakthisgrowthbarrierbyinvitingitscurrentmembersandnewpeopletoengageinsmallgroupsandmissionalgroups.

Oncethesegroupsareupandrunning,large-groupexperiencescanbeoffered.


SettingsforM

inistry








WednesdayEveningHomeGroups

TuesdayAfternoonTutoringforChildren

SundayEveningYouthGroup

SundayMorningWorshipwithCongregation

YouthMinistry


SettingsforM

inistry








Discussion

Pick one ministry groupand identify the ways it is engaging in all four of these settings.

In you are in a church where everything happens in the fellowship/instruction group, talk about ways you can invite people to be part of small groups and missional groups.

Ask how children and youth can benefit from being part of these four settings.


Pastor-CenteredLessthan100inworship

Pastorasspiritualcare-taker

PastorasJack&Jillofalltrades

Focusonrelationships

Laityfocusesonmanagingtheassets

Team-CenteredMorethan120inworship

Pastorasteamleader

Pastorequipslaityandstaff

Focusonworship,outreach,anddiscipleship

Laityfreedtobeinministryasassetsaremanagedbystaff


Discussion

• Howdoesthesizeofyourchurchaffectyourexpectationsfortheworkofthepastor(s)andstaff?

• Whataretheresponsibilitiesoflaityinyourchurch?• Howdolaityandstafftakeresponsibilityforthelong-termvisionofthechurch?


ALWAYS SMALLNever had over100 in worship

ONCE LARGEOnce a large church,

it now worships under 100

Small Town/ County Seat/Rural/Declining Big CityLOW POPULATION

HIGH POPULATIONGrowing suburb/vitalized downtown/

static area with lots of people

Familysizeorheritagechurch

Loss ofinfluence&prestige

Caters toasmallsubsetofthelargercommunity

Inabilitytoconnectwith

recentarrivals

TYPESOFSMALLCHURCHES


DiscussionIf you are worshiping with under 100 a week, identify your group and talk aboutthe obstacles and opportunities your church has to connect with people in yourcommunity. If you are worshiping over 100, talk about implications you see foryourministry as you think aboutwhat is happening in your community.

GROUPS OBSTACLES OPPORTUNITIES

LowPopulation/Always Small

Low Population/OnceLarge

HighPopulation/AlwaysSmall

HighPopulation/Once Large

Note:Over 70%ofUMChurchesworshipwithunder100.


Assignments

• AspartoftheMyWorkdevotionsreadthefourarticlesrelatedtodifferentaspectsofthediscipleshipprocess.

• Asagroupsetyourtimeforyournextmeeting.

TeamWorksSeries

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Creating a Discipleship System...Four Areas of Ministry Discipleship Ministries The teaching of the...

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