I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church Session Two: Choosing Community Over Isolation November 26, 2013 Facilitators: Teaching Elder Shannan Vance-Ocampo And Transitional Leader Cheryl Galan

WHAT IF PEOPLE LOOK FOR COMMUNITY SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY HAVE A BETTER SHOT OF FINDING IT THERE….THAN FINDING IT AT CHURCH?

HOW MIGHT OUR CHURCHES BE PLACES OF DEEP CONNECTION? HOW MIGHT WE CREATE SETTINGS AND EXPERIENCES IN WHICH PEOPLE MOVE FROM ISOLATION TO COMMUNITY?

SIGNS OF ISOLATION  People scattered across worship space, sitting in isolation from one another  No systematic design for connecting with people who drop out of worship for more than a couple of weeks  Nice coffee time after worship, but no settings to move beyond small talk to share real talk

SIGNS OF ISOLATION  Fortress-like buildings erected in another era by people that used to live in the neighborhood, but either died or moved somewhere else; typically locked up 165 hrs./week  Ministries to the poor offered at arms- length distance from people served, rather than as part of a strategy that partners neighbors and congregations in authentic spiritual community

CHOOSING COMMUNITY OVER ISOLATION This involves choices in three circles of relationship Relationships to the wider community around the church Quality of community that exists within the church itself Grounding our life together in practices that shape community, in Christ

Knowing God Knowing Yourself Knowing Others

PANEL OF PRESBYTERS  Unbinding the Gospel Christine Treger, Westfield  Red Ribbon Fellowship Jeniffer Rodriguez, First Elizabeth  Disaster Assistance Mike Rountree, Basking Ridge

PANEL OF PRESBYTERS  Support Group for Released Prisoners – Michael Granzen, Second Elizabeth  Interfaith Hospitality Network/Art Therapy –Kris Smith, Lamington  Small Group Ministries – New Providence – ???

THE CHALLENGES OF CHOOSING COMMUNITY OVER ISOLATION  The challenge of the habits and routines of existing groups  The challenge of vulnerability  The challenge of leading by example and experience

PRAYER TRIADS How may I pray for YOU today?  Ask God  Tell the others: This is how you can pray for me  Decide how you will pray for one another  Enter a time of prayer; listen for singing bowl to signal time to switch