Building a Common Knowledge and Program Base
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you will tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Matthew 21:23-27
There are many ways to accomplish a task or to get things done:
- Do it yourself,
- Pay someone to do it for you, or
- Gather together a group of people who will work together to complete a project or task.
Your pastor is going with the number 3 choice! To bring people together.
The first step is to begin a discussion about setting goals and how to accomplish those goals.
This is why I gave you 3 books to read by June 2016:
⚫
Partners in Prayer
by John Maxwell
⚫
The Church Growth Handbook
by William Easum
⚫
Discerning Your Congregation's Future
by Roy M. Oswald and Robert E. Friedrich Jr.
Amazon
ASIN: 0785274391
Amazon
ASIN: 0687055237
Amazon
ASIN: 1566991749
These books will establish a reference base for discussions on setting priorities in each of our church committees. (See the December newsletter for more information.)
During the first quarter of 2016, I will be focused on the Worship and Christian Education committees, establishing regular meetings and setting goals.
I will be advocating to all committees a series of what
I call program "anchor" events.
These anchor events should be good for the church and
good for the Paoli community.
For example:
⚫
Youth — begin a mission trip for the youth
every 2 years during the summer or spring break time.
⚫
Valentine's Day — Sugar Plum Ball.
⚫
Last Supper play on Holy Thursday each year.
(need 12-14 men and costumes)
⚫
One fundraiser event.
⚫
Bible or book studies during Lent and Advent.
Once these events are agreed upon in their respective committees, and successfully established, we add a few more programs based upon our available resources. Our new program and program improvements will take about 18 months from set up to completion and will include an evaluation of each existing or new program at the end of this 18 month period.