April 2, 2008

Dear Partners in Ministry at First Church of God,
Our congregation has recently taken a major step in ministry: We have enrolled in the ChristCare Small Group Ministry. I want to tell you about this step, our reasons for it, and what to expect as First Church of God begins to benefit from this new ministry system.

Our Vision for Ministry
In teaching his disciples how to be disciples, Jesus said: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Jesus' new command has come to be known as the Great Commandment.

Just before his ascension, Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). Through this Great Commission, Jesus showed us his final and abiding desire-- that we carry the message of God's love to those who have not yet believed. These two commands of Jesus form the core of our congregation's vision of ministry. As a congregation we exist in order to love one another and our world. I believe ChristCare Small Group Ministry is one of the most effective tools available to help us carry out our mission.

Ministry Happens in and through ChristCare Groups
ChristCare Small Groups are also places for equipping. As we explore together how we can live as Jesus' disciples, we discover and nurture our Spirit-given gifts for ministry. As we tell one another our faith stories, we become better able to share those stories with the people we encounter each day. We support one another in our groups, encouraging group members to try new ways of living for Jesus.

ChristCare Small Groups can also be a wonderful place to invite people who do not actively participate in a church. Sometimes they will be more likely to say yes when we invite them to a smaller, more intimate gathering of Christians. Then the Holy Spirit can use the Scriptures, the prayers, and the faith stories shared in ChristCare Groups to bring the gift of the faith in Jesus to these people.

The ChristCare Series Will Help Us Develop and Support These Groups
We have enrolled in the ChristCare Series in order to have the most effective, inclusive, and lasting small groups possible. This ministry system will give us resources for every aspect of small group ministry-- from selecting and training ChristCare Small Group Leaders to organizing our ChristCare Groups for effectiveness and growth.

Here is a list that shows some of the things we'll be doing during the coming months as we work with Stephen Ministries to build ChristCare Group Ministry here at First Church of God:

Foundation Building
See its potential and get involved

Selecting Equippers
A ChristCare Equipper is a lay leader or clergy member who has been chosen to help implement, manage, and maintain the congregation's ChristCare Group Ministry.

Attending the Equipper's Training Course
Our ChristCare Equippers will attend a one-week Equipper's Training Course where the Stepen Ministries staff will train them in the ChristCare Series system of small group ministry.

Recruting ChristCare Group Leaders
The ChristCare Series will help us find potential ChristCare Group Leaders and get them involved in this ministry right away.

Training ChristCare Group Leaders
ChristCare Equippers will train ChristCare Group Leaders to carry out this ministry effectively.

Beginning ChristCare Groups
We will begin our ChristCare Groups and invite those interested to participate.

I am excited and thankful that God has led us to this direction in ministry. I believe we are going to be even more effective in our ministries of inreach and outreach because of ChristCare Group Ministry and our partnership with Stephen Ministries. Please pray for our mission together, for God's guidance and strength, and for our ChristCare Group Ministry. Pray about your own level of participation in this important ministry. I know God will continue to bless you and your congregation with faith, hope, and overflowing love.
Your Servant in Jesus,     Steve Wimmer




 

































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