Intentional

You have one day to complete your goals for 2009...

If you're like me your trying to remember what your goals were for this year!

One of our goals for 2009 was to see more and more people commit to intentional relationships in groups. What do I mean by intentional? Some people won't get in groups, and they use the excuse that they have a lot of friends already. The thought is that as long as I have good friends, especially good friends in the church, then all is good. Their idea of groups is that they are all about connecting & fellowship, but that is only one piece of group life.

Groups are a place to not only connect with others but to challenge others. It's being intentional with your relationships. It's surrounding yourself with fellow believers and giving them permission to help you grow. They can ask the tough questions, they can encourage you and push you to go deeper in your walk.

The problem is that many of our family members here at FCC settle for shallow relationships. Relationships that don't go beyond the surface. God has called us to go beyond the surface. To go deep. Our vision is to see all of our FCC family engaged in intentional relationships in groups - growing together, serving together, and praying together.

This year we have seen more and more people get plugged in. Groups are growing! But there are still many who have not made that step.

Leader, help us attain that vision by inviting others to your group.

Matt T.

Connected at the Spiritual Nerve Endings

This is a blog post from a fellow leader, Brian Jones. What an image of the church.

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In his book Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels shares a powerful story about the way people in a healthy-functioning church rally around each other in times of pain.

I had just finished presenting my weekend message at Willow and I was . . . talking to people. A young married couple approached me, placed a blanketed bundle in my arms, and asked me to pray for their baby.

As I asked what the baby’s name was, the mother pulled back the blanket that had covered the infant’s face. I felt my knees begin to buckle. I thought I was going to faint. Had the father not steadied me I may well have keeled over. In my arms was the most horribly deformed baby I had ever seen. The whole center of her tiny face was caved in. How she kept breathing I will never know.

All I could say was, “Oh my . . . oh my . . . oh my.”

“Her name is Emily,” said the mother. “We’ve been told she has about six weeks to live,” added the father. “We would like you to pray that before she dies she will know and feel our love.”

Barely able to mouth the words, I whispered, “Let’s pray.” Together we prayed for Emily. Oh, did we pray. As I handed her back to her parents I asked, “Is there anything we can do for you, any way that we as a church can serve you during this time?”

The father responded with words that still amaze me. He said, “Bill, we’re okay. Really we are. We’ve been in a loving small group for years. Our group members knew that this pregnancy had complications. They were at our house the night we learned the news, and they were at our hospital when Emily was delivered. They helped us absorb the reality of the whole thing. They even cleaned our house and fixed our meals when we brought her home. They pray for us constantly and call us several times every day. They are even helping us plan Emily’s funeral.”

Just then three other couples stepped forward and surrounded Emily and her parents. “We always attend church together as a group,” said one of the group members.

It was a picture I will carry to the grave, a tight-knit huddle of loving brothers and sisters doing their best to soften one of the cruelest blows life can throw. After a group prayer, they all walked up the side aisle toward our lobby. Where, I wondered as they left, would that family be, where would they go, how would they handle this heartbreak, without the church?(p. 22-23)

Tucked in the middle of a discussion about the nature of the church, the apostle Paul compared the church to a human body: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Paul clearly points out that when we as followers of Jesus become spiritually intimate with one another, it is as if our souls grow together and we begin to share spiritual nerve endings. If something happens to you, I can’t help but by affected it. We are connected soul to soul. In the same way a twisted ankle affects every other part of a human body, the hurt a church member feels touches everyone else in that community.

In a healthy-functioning community of Jesus followers, people are deeply connected to one another, and when something happens, good or bad, the instinctive response is to rally around one another.

Does this happen in your church?

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I'm glad to be able to say it does happen here at FCC. As leaders, lets work together to minister to God's people that He has placed under our care.

We're all on a journey

It's always funny at Youth Quake (our Sr High trip to Colorado) when it comes to stress day and everybody in the camp climbs the mountain together. The young, High School athletes practically run up the side of the mountain while others who aren't so young and athletic struggle all the way. That's where I find myself now...

You can see some of the same in our spiritual journeys. We're at different places moving at different paces knowing that God is walking with each one of us step by step. He's there pushing us, challenging us, and encouraging us as we make our climb toward spiritual maturity.

We see it in our groups too. How do you as a leader connect with each person on each level? What I love about groups is that everyone on every level can contribute.

The following video speaks to that and has some great insight. Check it out and let us know what you think!

People on all different levels

Having presents under the tree is a highlight for our kids. The gifts are there all wrapped up and the kids spend the next several weeks trying to figure out what's in them. Usually they don't know until they rip off the paper and get to look inside on Christmas morning.

Our groups can be like that. You don't know what you've got until you peal back a few layers. When you start hearing the stories you begin to discover where each other are at in your journeys and how you can help one another grow.

Here's a great video that speaks to this idea of working with people on different spiritual levels.

Beyond the Surface

Hey Leaders!

There's just two weeks left in our current group season. Our hope is that leading your group has been a great experience over these past few months. When we see lives being changed, even if it's just small steps, we should rejoice. I'm thankful for each of you as you lead your groups and make a difference.

We're still preparing for next season! Signups begin on Dec. 13th. If you have not submitted your leader form for the next season be sure to do that today! We're entering crunch time. Follow this link: Leader Form

Here's a great video that I stumbled upon and wanted to pass on to you. There's some great advice for each of us as we lead our groups. We so often settle for surface level discussions in our groups. Let's push our groups to go deeper.

Full Disclosure

What do you do to help your group go beyond the surface?

Focused

Our focus is on leaders right now! A couple weeks ago, Charlie preached on the need to raise up leaders. Right now, we are scanning the horizon for the leaders that God is raising up here at FCC. We are putting together our team of leaders for the 2010 Winter/Spring season. Pray with us as we seek to find the leaders God is raising. Join us in searching too! If you know someone who you think possess the qualities to lead a group, tell them to join the team. Let me know too so I can help answer any questions they might have.

Here's a couple things to know about:

Sermon Based Study Guides:

Beginning in January, we will begin producing a new study guide that will be an insert in the bulletin each week. It will be written for groups based on that weeks sermon.

Shepherding:

One of the chief roles as a leader is shepherding those in your group or class. Knowing those in your group or class - their needs, their victories, their defeats, their hurts is an important part of being a leader. Over the next few weeks take time to call or connect with each person or couple in your group, especially if they haven't been attending.

Stone Canyon Campus:

The launching of this new campus is exciting! If you want to know more about it and what it means to be a multi-site church, join us this Sunday @ 5:00pm in the Worship Center.

Next Season:

As we prepare for the next season of groups & classes, we need your help. It's time to plan ahead. Next season will launch the week of January 10th and run through the week of May 2nd. That's 16 weeks when you take out Spring Break week. Are you going to lead? What are you going to study? When are you going to meet? Those are some of the questions we need answers to. Also, we need to know something about you! In the catalog this season we're including a Bio of each leader. People want to know who their signing up with more than what they're going to study or where they're going to meet.

Go to the link below to fill out the Leader Info form. We need this information submitted by November 22nd so that we can produce the Groups Catalog.

Leader Information Form

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this form.

If you have any questions or needs, do not hesitate to call or email me. I'm here to help you any way that I can.

Thank you for your leadership!

mt

New and Improved

We are always getting bombarded with the "New and Improved"!

• New and improved soap
• New and improved deodorant
• New and improved toothpaste
• New and improved motor oil

Marketers know we like the "new and improved" because, it must be better than the old... right?

We're always looking for ways to do groups better. To try new things and improve other things.

• How can we get more leaders?
• How can we better support our leaders?
• How can we lead more people to connect in groups?
• What does it take to make groups more effective?
• How can we continue to improve our groups ministry?

These are all areas and questions that I constantly have on my mind as I seek God's direction for groups at FCC. I just spent time this weekend with several other churches having some round table discussion about groups. There was a lot to learn as each minister shared lessons learned. Much of it was encouraging as some shared disaster stories, and as the discussion leader shared their philosophy and it was very similar to how we do groups. Other parts weren't as encouraging and left me thinking "we've got a long way to go."

Overall, I think we're rockin when it comes to groups. The leader this weekend had been doing groups for 18 years at that church to bring them to where they are. We just started our 2nd year and have already made a significant impact. But, no doubt there is room for improvement. We'll try new things, improve some things, and we'll continue to move forward in helping our church family connect in significant relationships and grow in their walk with Christ.

What would you do different? What would you change? What lessons have you learned as a leader? What changes have you made in your own group to improve it's impact?

Serve (2)

Hey Leaders!

One of the important parts of a great group is to serving together. It helps your group take their eyes off of themselves and see the needs in others around them. As you read through the new testament, over and over we are challenged to take care of those in need. The poor, the widows, the orphans, etc. - God has called us to reach out to others and share His love with them.

Below I've listed a couple of opportunities:

Opportunity #1

Thanksgiving is coming and it is time to consider how we can help those in need around us. Last year, several groups "sponsored" a family to provide them with a special Thanksgiving food basket. If you would like to help again this year, can you let Jim Schnorrenberg know? His email is jschnorrenberg@fccowasso.com, and phone is 289-5614. The Community Care Food Pantry team will be preparing several food baskets to make available to you. Or, you can prepare a basket yourself. We're in the process of compiling names of families in need, but if you want to help, can you let me know? Thanks so much for your generous heart and desire to serve together as a group.

Opportunity #2

We will need a team of people to help decorate the facility for the Christmas Season. That won't happen until the end of November, but we need to get a plan in place. If your group would like to help take that on let me know.

Opportunity #3

Come up with your own! Someone in your group probably knows someone in need, or a ministry that needs help. Pull your group together, plan it, do it, see how God works through it, celebrate it!

P.S.: Don't forget to let us know if you're going to lead a group next season, or if you know of someone else that might be a good leader.

Growing Leaders

October and November are what we call "focus" months. During this period we will begin to focus on our next season. I know, we're barely half way through this season, but we've got to prepare now for what's ahead.
One of the major tasks we've got is lining up leaders for all the groups. That's where you come in. As you're meeting with your group, who is it that stands out as a potential leader? Begin to give them responsibilities and grow them to be a leader. Have them lead the prayer time or a part of the discussion. Let them lead your group if you're not able to be there.
We'll be asking you for names of individuals you feel could possibly lead a group next season. Be thinking that one over.

Join us in praying for God to raise up more and more leaders as we continue to move forward.

Two Weeks To Go!

Just two weeks to go in the One Month To Live series! Hopefully it has been a great challenge for you and those in your group or class. Many of you have used the OMTL study guide for your group. Do you know where your headed next? Check out the Groups Store for a list of studies. Some are available in the Library, all of them you can order straight from the store.

If you have any questions let me know!

Week 3!

We're getting ready to hit week 3! So far things seem to be going good. We've moved some groups around, we've moved some people around, and we've still got a few registrations trickling in. We have somewhere around 840 adults in groups now! God Rocks!

Here's a few things to remember:

1. End on time! - If you're a Sunday morning group, it is important to end by 10:45. With the crowds we're having you need to get your group in the Worship Center ASAP. This also helps cut down on traffic jams when everyone is trying to rush in last minute.

2. Pray Together - Make sure to leave time to pray with your group. Pray for needs that your group has.

3. Make room for more - If you haven't noticed, 2nd service is busting at the seams! It's great to see so many people coming in our doors excited to worship and learn. Now we've got to make room for more. I'm going to ask you, as a group leader, to help with a couple of things. a) Park away from the building. Save the closer spots for guests. Challenge your group to do the same b) Challenge your group members to serve. We need ushers, greeters, children's helpers and other positions filled to accommodate the growth. We all need to help by serving. c) Set on each other's lap! OK, that one might not work to well...

This is the last week people can sign up for groups. After this we'll consider all groups closed for the rest of the season. You can still invite people to your group if you wish, but we'll be directing people to either join a class for the remainder of this season or to just wait until the next season.

God deserves all the praise for what is taking place at FCC!

mt

Serve

One important aspect of group life is serving together. As a leader, you need to challenge your group to serve. Every group needs to find one way to serve over the course of this season. We will strive to give you opportunities as they arise.

Here's an opportunity to serve:

The PRC's 2 annual banquet

The PRC Banquet is coming up on October 8th. We expect to have 250-300 people there.

I am recruiting teen and adult volunteers to help serve food (literally this is an opportunity to serve!) the night of the event. They will take food out to the tables and pick up plates as people finish. They will also fill and refill water and tea glasses. Those that sign up to serve will need to be there around 6 PM and will be done around 9-9:30.

Last year some life groups took this opportunity to serve and I know several teens from FCC did as well.

If they are interested, they can contact me at lindsaybippus@prcowasso.org or call the center at 272-6888 and ask for me or Jenny.

August Meeting Recap

For those of you who missed our meeting earlier in the month, here's the overview.

815

The numbers are in, and still rising. We have 815 adults registered in groups and classes! That's without any doubles. We set a God sized goal of 800 and God did better than that, and He's not done yet.

Great job leaders of getting out and growing your groups. I hope this season is a huge blessing to you as God uses you to minister to His people.

• Study together
• Pray together
• Serve together
• Have fun together!

If you need anything, or have any questions, drop me a note.

See you all Sunday!

Off and Running!

WOW! What a terrific first day! It was great seeing the gathering area filled up with groups. There was an excitement in the air as we saw many new faces come through our doors. Many of you have since met in your homes, and I look forward to hearing how things went.

Tonight we have our first Wednesday Night Groups. It'll be a little different because we're moving into the classrooms while the children and youth take over the rest of the building for their kick-off. We'll be there to help direct traffic and get people where they need to go.

Here's a verse that has stood out to me the last couple days:

Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

I had nearly lost my foothold.

David recognized at this point in his life that he was slipping. Envy had begun to make it's way into his life. As leaders, we constantly need to evaluate our lives. Like David, we need to be able to recognize a slip here, or a misstep there. We need others around us that have permission to point out our slips.

Notice in verse 17 what it was that helped David recognize where he was at:

Psalm 73:17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

When he met with God he then understood what would happen to those whom he was envious of. He saw where his own position with God was at. That led him to later say:

Psalm 73:28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

"It is good to be near God!" Let's learn from one of the great leaders of the past. Knowing that when we draw near to God, seek Him, find "refuge" in Him, we can't help to tell of His deeds.

What great deeds have you seen God do in your life or in your group?

Kick Off Week Is Here!

This Sunday, Aug. 23rd groups and classes launch for the fall!

It's kind of crazy when you've been working on something for so long then the time finally comes. Nervous, worried, already seeing things you could have done different. You've been there I'm sure.

We've been preparing for this fall season of groups for months and now it's here!

Our numbers continue to rise as online registrations come in and as you leaders send updated lists. If you've got more updates get them to us:

3 things I ask of you now:

1. Pray - for your group, for your fellow leaders, and for the impact that groups and classes will have on all those that participate.
2. Make Contact - Call or email all of your group members to make sure they know where and when your meeting. This is especially important for those who have signed up for your group that you don't know.
3. Prepare - Come ready. Study your material, get books and study guides that the rest of the group will need, have a plan for the season. Use the week one study that is located on in the links on the right to help.

We're excited to see what God is going to do this season of groups.

Acts 10:33

So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

3 Observations:

1. It is good of you to lead: You've answered the call of God.
2. You're in the presence of God: Know that when you gather, you are in the presence of God delivering the message He has called you to bring to your class or group. You are not alone.
3. You're a history maker: Read the rest of the story. The gospel goes to the gentiles, now we're here today! You don't know the impact your group might have.

Invite

I’m waiting on the groups report from Sunday. Very curious as to how many people we have registered for classes and groups at this point. We continue to aim for our target of 800 adults in classes and groups.

One thing I do know, it takes more than bulletin announcements and me standing up front saying, “get in a group!” It takes all of us, leaders and group members, together inviting, encouraging, and challenging our church family to join us in this journey. So, who have you invited? Be sure to tell your current members to still register so we know where they're at.

Yesterday our Young Couples gathered at our house for a Luau Party. There were so many new faces! We invited every one of them to join a group. That was the main purpose of the event. It sounds like most all of them have or will.

FCC Groups Blog

Understanding that God has given us the responsibility to shepherd each person that comes through our doors, we must continue to develop ways to grow leaders and create opportunities for people to connect in groups. This Blog will help us provide resources, provide training, and share opportunities for you as leaders. We're excited about the possibilities.

Welcome to the Groups Blog of First Christian Church of Owasso! This will become the hub of information for the Groups Ministry of the FCC. Leader Training, Group Information, and Group Thoughts will be posted here. We hope that you will subscribe to this blog and that as it develops, it will become a place for you to find encouragement, answers, and inspiration.