Sabbath School Maximiser Creating Healthy Churches That Reach The Lost © 2008 In2action Rob Steed Creating Healthy Churches That Reach The Lost © 2008 In2action Rob Steed

Session no. 2 Church Building Blocks The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to us by the One who cannot err… let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, and gain courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Ellen White 7 Testimonies p21,22

Benefits Of A Group Structured Church Worship will be more inspiring. Increase in prayer life. New leadership. Members have more contacts. Church will hold members. Increase member involvement in ministry. Assimilation track for newcomers. Members are more loving.

Spiritual Vibrancy Class-groups are the best way of maintaining spiritual vibrancy in members. A spiritually healthy congregation will mean a healthy and growing church.

Ministry Grows Out of Members Spirituality Spirituality Ministry Contribution Faith Sharing Gift Development Accountability

Group Structured Church Priorities 1.Class-groups are given the highest priority. 2.Every member is encouraged to participate in a class-group. 3.Other ministries and program must not compete with class-groups.

Ministry Grows Out of Group Life Group Life Church Leadership Church Outreach Church Departments Church Community

Cart Before The Horse Programs Spiritual Vibrancy If WeakPrograms Will Struggle

Synergy of Group Structure "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Class-Group Structured Church

Leadership Agenda 1.Health of each class-group. 2.How they integrate (the synergy) with the ministries of the corporate church.

Secondary Groups/departments These are secondary in priority. Are lead by mature members and supported by class-groups. These departments may be made up of a full committees or two coordinators.

Example of Groups Working With Departments Video Follow-up Pastoral Care Corporate Socials. Discipling Follow up Youth Support

Principles of Class-group Structured Church 1.Follow 12 to 15 formula any more becomes a crowd and intimacy is lost. 2.Class-groups need to be outward focused. 3.A group should naturally grow and intentionally multiply. 4.Groups should multiply in a 6-12 month period. 5.Each group has a vision inside the parameters of the larger vision.

Principles of Class-group Structured Church 6.Groups should be supervised and guided on a ratio of 1 to 5. 7.An apprentice leader should be assigned to every role of leadership. 8.Meet weekly. 9.Move house to house each week. 10.Break into sub groups during the meeting as the group increases in number. 11.Delegate jobs.

Discussion Questions 1. Determine what percentage of your attending congregation participate in class-group life. Discuss ways to increase attendance. 2. Identify any ministries that currently compete with members ability to attend class-group life. Discuss how you can re-organize these ministries so they will be complementary of class-group life.

Discussion Questions 3. Review the various ministries of your church and discuss which ones have the potential of being worked through the class-groups.