Information to Transformation From Information to Transformation

The Class Meeting by Dr. Kevin Watson A class meeting is comprised of Christians focused on transformation not information. It is this class meeting which was the most important and most basic practice of early Methodists.

Transforming Communities into Communion by Dr. Robert Martin, Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary “Transforming Communities into Communion is about fashioning the Christian Life together so that we are more fully aligned with the reality that God is and wants for us to share in the fullness of Christ, especially with the ‘least of these.’”

Not a new program or a method for reviving the church… but rather about growing or changing communities and all Christians from the inside out: practically, spiritually and theologically.

The Experiment Prayed over my Facebook clergy friends and invited folks to participate Met monthly during a six-month period Started with 18 churches of various sizes, contexts and locations Ended with 10 churches actively participating Gathered over a meal in the spirit of Holy Communion Invited Christ in Prayer was a major part of this time together Discussed best practices and book…idea sharing Talked about what was working and what was not working Sometimes we even got off topic

The Results Every church increased in evangelistic outreach All but two had an increased in worship attendance Every church increased in number of professions of faith Every church increased in new members Every church increased in stewardship Every church increased in small group attendance

The Results (continued) One church which had not had a profession in faith in five years, had two That same church welcomed seven new members Another church increased worship attendance by 9% over the previous year Another church began seriously talking about building a new campus where the community is growing. One church began an outreach to the school which lead to families with youth and children joining their church.

How it Works No gurus… No geniuses No leaders or teachers Simply Brothers and Sisters coming together in the name of Christ, in the Spirit of Christ to learn from one another and share in Holy Communion. Realizing the work we do has eternal significance and we are called to reach “the least of these.”

Information to Transformation From Information to Transformation

Study Bibliography Barna, George. Evangelism That Works: How to Reach Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel. Ventura, CA, U.S.A.: Regal Books, 1995. McIntosh, Gary. Beyond the First Visit: The Complete Guide to Connecting Guests to Your Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006. Rainer, Thom S., and Eric Geiger. Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 2006. Harrington, W. Frank. First Comes Faith: Proclaiming the Gospel in the Church. Louisville, KY: Geneva, 1998. Print. Kotan, Kay. Get Their Name: Grow Your Church by Building New Relationships. Place of Publication Not Identified: Abingdon, 2016. Print. Ogden, Greg. Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. Print.

Small Group Attendance Data Page Church Worship Attendance Small Group Attendance Professions of Faith Income FUMC Hillsboro Increased 18 Increase Line Street 7 Florence Decrease 14 King Memorial 4 Kopperl 2 China Spring West 3 Ghoulson Wesley Increase – 9% Blooming Grove 5 *Based on Ezra Statistics