Leading Prayers at Christmas Services Download PDF One of the most exciting aspects of church Christmas events is the large number of newcomers who come among us. While we want every Sunday to be a good Sunday to bring friends and family so they can hear the gospel of Jesus, at Christmas time many more guests who are unfamiliar with church and the Christian faith will join us. This means those of us who lead in various ways in our services must be extra careful to use language that is inclusive and not alienating, and we need to work hard to minimise misunderstanding. This includes those who lead our prayers!Here are 10 tips that will help us pray helpfully and in a way that commends prayer to newcomers.Speak in plain language. This is a good discipline for any time, to work out how to communicate deep truths in accessible language! …
God Church & Me :: Church Membership Course Download Bible Studies Download Workshop Notes These notes are the Senior Pastor’s notes for leading the workshop discussions at God, Church & Me. They obviously contain much which is specific to Trinity Church Mount Barker, but will give you some ideas as to how to structure a similar workshop discussion and what areas of discussion it might be helpful to include. Running a church membership course is one of the best ways to integrate new people in the your church or church plant. A membership course doesn’t have to be tied to formal or legal membership if your church has these, it’s simply a way for newcomers (and even those who have been around for longer) to find their place in the church family.Typically a course for members will aim to unpack how the church applies the Scriptures and how people can…
How to Pray for Friends – “5 Friends 5 Ways” Prayer Postcards Download Photoshop Files (ZIP) When it comes to praying for our friends who don’t know Jesus, most of us could do with some help!And when it comes to starting a new church or raising the evangelistic temperature of an established church, anything we can do to help us pray regularly and consistently for our lost friends and family is probably worth a try!This example might give you some ideas as to how to create a postcard to help your church family pray for those in their life who don’t know Jesus. It’s nothing more than a reminder and a prompt, to encourage us to pray for 5 friends, colleagues, or family. There’s space to write the names of 5 people, and 5 suggestions of how to pray for them. You can copy ideas from here, or edit the…
Role Descriptions for Volunteer Leaders Having clearly communicated expectations is an important part of looking after those who serve in leadership in our churches. It’s unkind to ask people to serve in leadership without clarity about what you’re asking them to do, what others are responsible for, and how they will be supported in their ministry. Lack of clarity leads to confusion, conflict, and frustration!These documents were written for volunteer leaders at Trinity Church Mount Barker in 2019. Your documents will look different according to your context, whether leaders are paid or volunteers, and depending on the the shape of your ministries, etc.Area Leader Role Descriptions:Area Leader – Bible Study Groups Area Leader – Music Area Leader – Welcoming Area Leader – Youth Team Leader & Team Member Role Descriptions:Bible Study Group Leader Team Leader – Creche Team Member – YouthTeam Member – WelcomingRole descriptions for 5M Purpose Leaders are also…
5Ms Leadership Role Descriptions One really helpful way for us to care for those who serve in leadership among the Body of Christ, is to have clear expectations and understanding of role boundaries, requirements, and how support will be provided. It’s unkind to ask people to serve in leadership without clarity about what you’re asking them to do, what others are responsible for, and how they will be supported in their ministry! And lack of clarity will lead to confusion, conflict, and frustration.These role descriptions aim to provide clarity for those serving as leaders in a 5Ms ministry model.If your church operates with a Purpose Driven model for ministry (5Ms, or something else) these role descriptions may give you a starting point for recruiting and caring for purpose leaders. These documents were written for volunteer leaders at Trinity Church Mount Barker in 2019. Your documents will look different according to…
Thinking about Church DNA & Culture Download Completed Flowchart Download Blank Flowchart Download this Article Church DNA Arguably one of the most neglected aspects in the planning of many church plants, is consideration of the DNA that the planter transplants, and therefore the culture of the church that develops. To identify and shape our church culture with the aim of most effectively making disciples of Jesus, I have found it helpful to think about theological positions, beliefs, practices, ministry patterns, etc, as either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd order issues. This approach is helpful in planning church plants, where decisions need to be made about almost every aspect of church life, but also in established churches where the culture can include ministry patterns that are not directed by mission, but from some other motivation. These notes are to help you use the Church DNA & Culture Flowchart Worksheet. There is also…
Church DNA & Culture Flowchart Blank Worksheet How are decisions made in your church, or for your new church plant?What Bible translation will you use?How will the meeting space be arranged?What kind of coffee will be served?And music! Will you have any? How much? What type?Every church has DNA and a unique culture that shape the way decisions are made. Sometimes “We’ve always done it that way” trumps any other reason in determining the shape of our life together in church!This tool aims to help you understand your DNA and your culture, and to enable you to make mission-oriented decisions.This version of the flow chart has blank spaces for you to work through with your leaders, team, and members.There is also a completed version as a worked example available for you to download. Download PDF
Church DNA & Culture Flowchart How are decisions made in your church, or for your new church plant?What Bible translation will you use?How will the meeting space be arranged?What kind of coffee will be served?And music! Will you have any? How much? What type?Every church has DNA and a unique culture that shape the way decisions are made. Sometimes “We’ve always done it that way” trumps any other reason in determining the shape of our life together in church!This tool aims to help you understand your DNA and your culture, and to enable you to make mission-oriented decisions.This completed sheet is a worked example. The First, Second, and Third Order Issues may be different in your context. There is also a blank worksheet available for you to complete with your leaders, teams and members. Download PDF