Senior Pastor:        William Rice            pastorrice@gloriadeitomah.com

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

I want to continue my thoughts from last month (no doubt everyone remembers what those were).  With our 40 Days of Purpose #2 in full swing, I shared some thoughts about small groups. Now that we have finished I am more convinced than ever that an increase in this form of ministry will be a great blessing to our congregation. 

The most important need is leaders.  I know that being a “Bible Study Leader” is something many of do not feel qualified to do.  You do not need to have an extensive knowledge of the Bible.  It is okay if you have never read the Bible from cover to cover.  However, there are some very important qualifications:  care about your neighbors, be willing to grow in faith, and make a serious commitment to do this.  If you meet these then set aside November 5 & 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 in the evening and we’ll have some time to look at small group ministry and help you be a bit more ready to take this step in your ministry.

There can also be no small groups without small group members.  I know that many have reached the end of their 40 Days group and want to go on.  I’m sure that others who were not able to take part in 40 Days this time would like to be in a group.  If you are not in a group, there will be opportunities to sign up.

Small groups do not have to be doing the same thing.  We have quite a sample collection of possible material that can be used as the focal point of a group.  Among these are materials about parenting, about strengthening marriage, about prayer.  We have a series for women called “You Matter More than You Think,” and one for men called “Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy, the coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The meeting schedule can adjust to fit the group.  Because this 40 Days Campaign was time limited we could meet weekly.  That is not as easy to do over a longer period.  So many groups choose to meet twice a month, some even monthly, rather than weekly.

Consider and pray about being a leader.  If you don’t feel this is your gift, then let us know that you want to be in a group.  If you feel uncomfortable doing that, look over the groups as they are announced and sign up then.    Remember that it is very difficult for most of us to live out our purposes, to truly live our life in Christ, by ourselves.  We need each other.  

Thank you for your participation in the 40 Days and now let’s take this another step!

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

As you read this, we should be just over half way through our second time with 40 Days of Purpose.  I feel very good about what I see.  We’ve had nearly 100 people taking part and many did not do so three years ago.  I hope the rest of us are finding the messages and the worship emphasis to be good reminders of “what on earth we are here for.”

I think nearly everyone also knows that I have a great desire to see more “small groups” active in Gloria Dei.   We already have quite a few groups although we may not have thought of these like that.  We have our circles, choirs, other ministry groups like our Barnabas ministry, Haiti Mission, quilters, the elderberries.  We have others who serve together in teaching Sunday School, Confirmation, VBS, or at the Food Stand, Bus parking at Cranfest, coffee hour, soup suppers, and still more.  All of these strengthen our congregation and help us be more like the family of God.

Those who were in a 40 Days group three years ago and/or this year will also say there was something special about that time and the closeness that developed.  You may have really gotten to know someone with whom you had attended worship for years.  That face and name went from being another member of your church to becoming a friend.  I hope that we can now add to our existing groups several more that will continue meeting together, exploring the Bible, sharing concerns and problems, and growing closer to each other.

This coming Sunday, October 7, we will have the chance to look at several ministries within our congregation to include the formation of new small groups.  Please check out that ministry table.  You should see different things that we can learn together, different ways to learn and share, and a variety of meeting schedules.    If you don’t see anything you like, please let us know – there are many resources available and I’m sure we can find something for everyone who wants to be part of a group.

We will need one thing more – leaders.  This will be a step more than being host homes, but you still don’t have to be an expert on the Bible or to have reached some advanced stage of living the Christian life.  If you feel God’s Spirit tugging at you to be a leader, but don’t feel qualified, that’s okay.  We’ll make some time for training together.  We’ll try to build in some support for leaders.  You won’t have to do this alone.

Please take a moment and pray – just as you are reading this.  Ask God to direct you to a small group where you can be more involved in growth and in ministry.  Ask God to tell you what part you can play at Gloria Dei.  May our Lord truly bless you and guide us to do His will!   

                                      Last Updated  03/06/2008