Beyond Worship: Ministry with Adults Using A Contemporary Church Model Bill Alphin Virginia Baptist Mission Board

How did Jesus grow disciples?

How do we develop a mature faith as disciples of Jesus? StudyStudy PrayerPrayer NurtureNurture ServiceService TestingTesting ReflectionReflection

Some churches grow disciples by accident!

Natural Church Development Schwarz Empowering leadership Gift-oriented ministry Passionate spirituality Functional structures Holistic small groups Need-oriented evangelism Loving relationships

The Influence of the Contemporary Church Models To “Clone” rather than learn from “Principles” Contemporary Worship vs. Traditional Sunday School verses Small Groups Closed Groups verses Open Groups

The Issue Is Not Just Style Of Worship. Its What Happens Beyond Worship…

For adults to “stick” with the church, they must find a place where they are known by name and where friendships can develop.

Essential Groups in the church: Worship—Focus on God. Adult Bible Fellowship (Sunday School).—Focus on people. Small Groups—Focus God’s relationship with His people.

The Saddleback Model for Building Up The Church The Community Unchurched The Crowd Regular Attendees Members Congregation Committed Maturing Core Lay Ministers

THE BIG PICTURE: How Small Groups Fit Into The Ministry Of The Church Worship Community

ABF SS ABF’s and SS Classes are “Open”: THE BIG PICTURE: How Small Groups Fit Into The Ministry Of The Church Worship Community

ABF SS ABF’s and SS Classes are “Open”: THE BIG PICTURE: Covenant (Open) BAG OAG Task Group SMALL GROUPS How Small Groups Fit Into The Ministry Of The Church Worship Community

ABF SS ABF’s and SS Classes are “Open”: THE BIG PICTURE: Covenant (Open) BAG OAG Task Group SMALL GROUPS Various Missions/Ministries Opportunities How Small Groups Fit Into The Ministry Of The Church Worship Community

ABF SS ABF’s and SS Classes are “Open”: THE BIG PICTURE: Covenant (Open) BAG OAG Task Group SMALL GROUPS Various Missions/Ministries Opportunities How Small Groups Fit Into The Ministry Of The Church Mission Action Worship Community

Worship Service Entry Point People who are never assimilated at this point are at high risk of exiting. Small Groups As A Tool For Growing Disciples… ABF SS ABF Possible point of assimilation: ABF’s and SS groups are “Open”: The focus is fellowship. THE BIG PICTURE: How Small Groups “fit” in the Church Covenant (Open) BAG OAG Task Group SMALL GROUPS Content of Small Groups (Varies depending on the purpose of the group) Prayer Disciplines of the faith. Time of accountability and encouragement. Training. Ministry beyond self. Various Missions/Ministries Opportunities Leadership Community used to coach leaders. Entry Points Entry Points Mission Action Debrief and reflection. Ministry Beyond “Self”. TERMINOLOGY: ABF= Adult Bible Fellowship BAG=Basic Accountability Group. OAG=Ongoing Accountability Group

Agree-Disagree: “A church that relies only on Church member participation in the Sunday morning worship experience and adult Sunday School class will not go very far in developing mature disciples of Jesus Christ.” Bill Alphin

Turning Attenders Into Members Rich Warren, Saddleback Valley Community Church Develop a plan to assimilate member. Communicate the value of membership. Establish a required membership class. Develop a membership covenant. Make your members feel special Create opportunities to build relationships. Encourage every member to join a small group.

Evangelism And Assimilation Bible Study Care Ministry Three functions of The Adult Bible Fellowship… (Adult Sunday School Classes)

Why Should We Care About Small Groups? Growing churches think small. High tech cries for high touch! Millennials want honest, caring relationships Millennials are looking for “family”. Church renewal often comes from God working with people in a small group community setting. It may be the most important “Niche” the Church has that will differentiate itself from other organizations and institutions.

Why Are Small Groups Important To The Development Of Disciples? Disciples are best developed in groups. Disciples are best developed when there is accountability and encouragement. Disciples are best developed where there is a high degree of trust in the group. Disciples are best developed when there is agreed expectations and outcomes. The adult Sunday School is not very effective as a disciple making group.

It is difficult to move People who attend Worship where they can Be anonymous to Involvement in small Groups that require A high degree of intimacy.

Brief Theology of Small Groups Exodus 18:17-18a,21 (NIV) Moses' father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out….But select capable men from all the people-- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

Brief Theology of Small Groups John 10:16 (NIV): I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Contents of A Small Group (Varies depending on the purpose of the group) Fellowship and possible ice breaker. Prayer (talking and listening). Disciplines of the faith. Time of “catching up”: Accountability and encouragement. Additional new training. Ministry beyond self: Gift based Missions Time of hospitality and fellowship.

Small groups should be sequential... People are grouped according to stage of faith journey... Each phase of discipleship moves the disciple to a higher level of commitment.

Worship Service Entry Point Small Groups As A Tool For Growing Disciples… ABF SS ABF The Traditional Model Verses The Contemporary Church Model Covenant (Open) BAG OAG Task Group SMALL GROUPS Various Missions/Ministries Opportunities Leadership Community used to coach leaders. (Traditional Church Model) Entry Point Worship Service Open Small Groups With “Empty Chair” (Contemporary Church Model)

The Contemporary Model Verses The Traditional “Baptist” Model Traditional: Contemporary: Sunday School/ABF Out Reach/ Caring through the SS. Discipleship Small Groups are often “Hit or Miss” –No curriculum plan. Discipleship Training Director. Open Small Groups Outreach/Caring through the Small Group (Open Chair) Small Group Ministry Tends to Be Organized with “Coaches. Leadership Community. Movement from anonymity to intimacy without transition.

Open Verses Closed Groups

Elements of a Healthy Small Group 29

An effective disciple making church must have leaders. Develop disciple making leaders by... Affirm those who are effective Christian disciples and leaders. Provide vision and encouragement. Discover and utilize spiritual gifts. Create accountability relationships for leaders through a leadership community. Free leaders of institutional Maintenance. Edward H. Hammett Making the Church Work.

The Leadership Community NurtureNurture Vision Casting-Large PictureVision Casting-Large Picture Ideas and activities. (Plenary)Ideas and activities. (Plenary) Skill Development (Sub-groups by type)Skill Development (Sub-groups by type) Huddle/Planning (Sub-groups by type)Huddle/Planning (Sub-groups by type) Meets at least monthly.Meets at least monthly.

What will you do next?