Join Pastor Kerry and Pastor Scott Schulik of Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, Texas as they share their learnings from the week as they looked at the topic, “Sunday School vs. Small Group: Can They Co-Exist?
Monthly Archive for February, 2008
I wrote a seminar on this topic and taught it at Saddleback’s Purpose Driven Church conference several years ago. In fact, I am suppose to be back out at Saddleback this spring, May 20-22 for the Purpose Driven Community Gathering on a panel discussion with Pastor Rick concerning the topic of Fellowship & Belonging. Looking forward to that time in SoCal.
Who knew the topic of Sunday School vs. Small Groups would be one of our leading services we provide to churches across the globe. It is one of the top discussions that pastors and churches want to have when it comes to transitioning there churches. If you are asking yourself this same question, shoot me an email (info@streettotheseat.com) and let’s get some time scheduled to be on site with you so that we can determine what is best for you and your church.
Today I had a four hour discussion with Scott and Travis at Mobberly Baptist Church on this one topic. It was a great day and I really believe we all learned a great deal.
Here are a couple of pictures from our marker board sessions. See if you can determine what we decided was best for them?
Discussion on Health & Balance and what that looks like for the church as it communicates to a person they are helping move from the Street to the Seat.
Sunday School vs. Small Group: Can they co-exist? … It all depends.
I had the great privilege of hanging with The 71’s in West Texas a few weeks ago while I was coaching a church they were leading worship there. You MUST get these guys on your radar. They are the real deal.
Just let them do their thing and watch the Holy Spirit work.
Rock n Roll music that brings you to life. Their sound redefines what it means to have an anthem, reinvents what it means to love a song, and resurrects the youth inside of you. Sounding somewhere between Jet and U2, The 71’s are like everything you’ve ever loved, and like nothing you’ve ever heard!
Check them out!
Excerpt from a local paper
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On Sunday March 2, 2008 Kerry Mackey (Gladewater Native and Graduate of Gladewater High-1989) will lead a discussion at First Baptist Church that the 18-35 year old crowd has been dying to have answers to, “Is this what your Jesus told you to do?”
Kerry has been a pastor for the past 12 years serving in Arkansas, Texas, and California and has spent the past 2 1/2 years as a Pastor at Saddleback Church with the world renowned author Pastor Rick Warren of the Purpose-Driven Life book; the greatest selling hardback book of all time. Kerry has travelled the world addressing the needs of the church and the emerging generation.
For years the question of relevancy and a local church have been tossed around and it’s time to open a dialog and discussion that others want to engage in.
Kerry will be in town at First Baptist to address questions the emerging generation is having and thoughts on people who say they like the Jesus of the Bible, but not the church.
For more information on Kerry Mackey and Street to the Seat go to www.streettotheseat.com or contact First Baptist Church Gladewater at www.fbcgladewater.org for upcoming dates, times, and locations.
Street to the Seat
20371 Lake Forest Dr., Ste A-10
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-709-1548
www.streettotheseat.com
We are 4 weeks out from Easter and it is none to soon to consider helping persons to take spiritual next steps toward biblical community. I call biblical community, “belonging”. In fact, I created an acronym to help us B.E.L.O.N.G. Look under the category of the same name to find all my writings on B.E.L.O.N.G. and Community.
I recognize that Dan Kimball in his writings speak of belonging before believing and there is merit to that; however, I believe there is another level of belonging that requires another level of commitment which would include choosing Jesus and the church.
As you look toward Easter make sure you have a well defined assimilation strategy to help persons move from the outside - in. Clearly communicate your expected next steps for those who have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to take a next step. And give them the opportunity to choose a next step. Leverage your services to help persons act.
My non-believing friends greatest criticism of his limited church experience is that it didn’t call anyone to action. SO, let’s call people to action. Help them see their next step to being a part of your community.
Tips:
- leverage the response card to call persons to action
- be clear about what you want them to do
- challenge people to choose Jesus and the church
- provide a New Believer kit and have it ready to distribute at Easter
- have a team of volunteers ready to meet with anyone choosing Jesus
- have the baptismal pool open and active with every service (before, during, and after all services)
- promote a new member class or discovery class for the following weekend
- small group teams should have a ministry table ready to help persons take a next step
- make available listings of ministries that persons can be involved in - show them they are needed
- make relationships high on your priority meter
- simplify your program promotions during this time
- just give them the big bucket ministry items and their next steps (preschool, child, youth, adults)
- how to choose Jesus
- how to get baptized
- how to choose the church (101-membership class)
- how to get connected to a small group
- how to begin serving others
- how to tell their story
If you have other ideas that help persons Become, Embrace, Live, Offer, Nurture, and Grow please share them with us.
This week we find ourselves in Longview, Texas with an old friend Dr. Glynn Stone whom we served with at Fielder Road Baptist back years ago. Since that time Glynn has been in West Rome Georgia helping a church make significant changes for the Jesus in that community. Seven months ago Mobberly asked Glynn to come lead them as their Senior Pastor to the next level of reaching their community for Jesus.
If today was any indication of where Jesus has called Glynn to take them. Hold on to your hats…Mobberly is going to do great things in the North East Texas area for Jesus.
Great message Glynn. You are definitely not afraid of the call God has on your life for the North East Texas area.
Proud of you my friend!
For the past couple of days Stephanie, the boys, and I have been Sabbathing at a little camp in Lindale, Texas known as Timberline. It was so peaceful in the piney woods of East Texas…cold, but peaceful. We were the only ones on site this time of year.
Only in Texas can you find a camp for Christians that includes a rifle range, skeet range, archery range, as well as the normal camp activities.
Thanks Keith and Carey for your hospitality…the full hook-up RV sites were great.
This video was just too good to pass up. And we wonder my those outside the church ask, “Is this what your Jesus told you to do?”
It just doesn’t get any better than today. I had the great privilege of hanging with 20 plus church planters in Arlington, Texas at the invitation of Just Coach Me. It was so refreshing to dialog about communication, connection, contribution, and community with guys and girls who are doing new works.
My learning from the day was this.
The principles of Street to the Seat and our core values are applicable regardless of church size. Next steps matter!
Communication is key (effective communication to the congregation and the community).
Connection through 1st impression matters regardless of size or location.
Contribution of Christ followers is critical to health and balance.
Community is at the heart of what we are trying to accomplish.
If you were in my discussion time today and reading this post, PLEASE post your learnings from the day. Let your voice be heard. Join the discussion.
Join Pastor Kerry and Pastor David Miracle via video as they discuss their learnings from Pastor Kerry’s time consulting with Northridge park Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas.
