Growing Larger by Growing Smaller

Romans 16:3-5 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.”

Growing Larger by Growing Smaller!

As we look toward a very exciting future for our happy Church, I am thinking of an easily overlooked reality faced by every group of Christians. That is, the best way for a Church to grow larger is by intentionally growing smaller! Huh?

Of course, I am speaking about the phenomenal growth power and potential of involving people in small groups. Every study, every survey, and every piece of empirical evidence proves that the more people are involved in a small group of caring, sharing, and need-meeting people the more likely they are to both stay involved in their church and to bring others.

As we look to the future of small-group ministry in our beloved and happy church, we need for focus on three key things:

1) Lighthouses! This key outreach and assimilation strategy, (formerly called JOY Groups) can be the most effective and most productive source of new believers and new members in the years ahead. If you really want to reach lots of new people, you will want to be involved in this wonderful ministry!

2) On-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups, (also known as Sunday School) can be a truly effective small group ministry! If the people already involved in Sunday School will begin to see ourselves as a small group and begin to function as a healthy, ministering, and reproducing small group many new people will be added to our classes and to our Church over the coming years.

3) Off-campus Bible Study and Fellowship Groups must be developed in order to provide additional opportunities for evangelism, fellowship, ministry, and relationship building! These must be available to people from Youth through Senior Adults who love to get together with a small group of their peers and study the Bible, fellowship, and minister to one another.

Yes, there is a lot of work ahead. We will provide the training, assistance, and materials necessary to accomplish these worthy goals. I will have much, much more to say about this in the weeks and months ahead.

“They’re out there… let’s go get them!” Pastor Lanny

It's Thursday, but Sunday's Coming!

I am thankful for everyone who turned out this evening for our TNT dinner and Bible Study! Special thanks to Bill and Shari Fleming for the meal and to Bill Kleiss for staying in the Nursery for us! BTW - Pray for Bill and Jessie as they drive out to Salt Lake City this weekend to take some of Jessie's things to her new apartment.

Our study this evening was on, "Is Jesus Christ the only way to Heaven?" Next Thursday evening will be a time of follow-up and Questions and Answers on this vitally important topic!

This coming Sunday morning, I will continue my series on, "Understanding Acts - Body #2 Takes Over" with a sermon from 1:4-5 on the subject of "The Baptism with the Holy Spirit."

We will not have any afternoon classes, activities, or the PM Worship Service due to the Holiday.

I hope to see you Sunday morning with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!

PTL: Thanks for praying for Cory Schultz, he got the job he was praying about in Champaign!