Something Special

This is a very special time of the year!  Advent and Christmas!  We just observed Thanksgiving!  Eat more turkey!  I love the food of the holidays.  I love the parties and get-to-gathers.  The presents are nice too.  Spending time with family is the best.  I even had fun this year putting up the tree in our new home.  I usually do not like doing it because I think about having to take it all down.

Well, this blog is dedicated to Sunday School and the things related to it.  Specifically, it relates to Sunday School @ Mount Zion Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL.  I copied my weekly article from the newsletter below.  I hope you will continue and read it.

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This is a great time of the year! Decorations, music and….the food is wonderful! There is just something about gathering around a table of goodies with a cup of coffee and some good friends. It is even better when you have many new friends in the group. Well, that reminds me of Sunday mornings during the fellowship time in Sunday School! Let me encourage you to invite your unchurched friends to Sunday School during this time of the year. They already know there is something special about Christmas; many of them just do not know how special that “something” is!

As we continue to seek to become a 24/7 Sunday School, take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the holiday season to connect with your lost friends, relatives, acquaintances and neighbors! You may have invited them to church before, but maybe now is the right time to invite them to attend your small group (Sunday School class) on Sunday mornings. Statistics say they will most likely say yes! Why not give it a try this week? Then let me know how it went.

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The purpose of the article is to help us realize that there are a lot of people in our world that enjoy all the “stuff” related to Christmas and other holidays.  They are open to attending special events and parties and the such.  They just do not know that they do not know the real meaning of it all. 

That presents us (Christians) a wonderful opportunity to pull them into our small group, either Sunday School class, circle of friendships, supper club, etc.  We can help them know the real meaning of these special “holy-days”!

Let me encourage you to think about how you can capitalize on the natural interest of your lost friends about the holidays.  Use your family traditions and special events to introduce them to Jesus.

24/7 Sunday School

What is a 24/7 Sunday School?

A Sunday School that is at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

How can a Sunday School be at work 24/7 since it only meets one of two hours each week?

It is actively reaching people every day every hour. That is, it’s members think outreach “without ceasing.” They are always seeking prospects (those who do not regularly attend an organized Bible study at a local church).

It is always preparing to teach the people who come each week. That is, it’s teachers take seriously their commitment to present a live changing Bible study experience each time they stand or sit in front of their class.

It keeps its radar tuned in seeking to meet the daily needs of its members and prospects. It is amazing how many needs people have during a weeks time. It is our Sunday School’s responsibility to discover and then meet the needs of its prospects and members.

 

How can a Sunday School do all of that?

Prepare its workers. All workers need to attend worker’s meetings each month.

Organize for outreach and ministry:

Divide class into smaller groups (care groups)

Identify leader for each group (care leader)

Enlist a prayer leader to keep class up-to-date on prayer needs by email

Enlist a missions coordinator for the class to ensure regular focus on missions by the class through mission action

  Empower care leaders to do their work

            Hold leaders accountable by calling for weekly reports

            Arrange for care groups to meet weekly

            Make outreach and ministry assignments weekly or as they occur during the week

            Encourage care groups to plan social events and fellowships

            Practice open enrollment, that is, enroll people anywhere, anytime as long as they agree. This can be done at work, at play   or at church.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s All Good!

Since I was in high school, I have hoped and planned to pursue a doctor’s degree in Christian Education.  Well, now, at the age of 48, I am finally going to get the opportunity to do so!  Just about 34 years after I first thought about it.

I mailed my application package to New Orleans Seminary today.  I am applying to the D.Ed.Min. program there and hope to complete it in 4 years.  Rich says that is pushing it, but, that is Rich!  I think I can and will do it.

On Sunday as I was returning to the church at 2 PM to prepare outreach visits for the staff, I realized that this was the day I had waited to see for many years.  The church was going to vote to endorse my application to seminary!

I can hardly believe how much my life has changed since last year!  What a difference a year can make.  What a difference a church can make.   What a difference a pastor and staff co-workers can make.  Life is wonderful!

Our newest ministry assistant, Melanie, has a saying that we have pickup on at MZBC–”It’s all good!”  That it is!