Bethel’s Pastors/Directors met for a vision retreat in mid-January, starting with prayer and then by doing a gap analysis of our current discipleship offerings at the church. Following this time of assessment, the group went into a brainstorming session to see how we could forge ahead with an effective discipleship plan. Here are some raw thoughts that got the discussion for the future started:
- Classes
- How to read/study (survey) Bible
- Who is God?
- Leadership/New Christian
- Summer Institute
- Must fit with small group culture/methodology
- Relate to GROW/behaviors
- Class with emphasis on tools/the “gap” oriented
- Modules
- Supplement small groups
- Determine what “content” should be in class/group and coordinate with Sunday teaching
- Use of retreats
- Determine curriculum (materials) needed and coordinate with what going on
- Have group dedicated to this
- As staff/leaders – what are we doing for us to make sure we are rooted and deep? (corporate/individual)
- Preach on value of reading Bible and follow up with testimony and mechanism for people to follow up
- Have small groups follow a sermon on core competency
- Shut all ministries down for time and concentrate on one theme
- More testimonies of heroes in an area
- Worship nights
- “Fast” from something (technology?)
- To bring “fringe” in: use Sunday in between services
- Environment change: warm, inviting, open – many open areas
- Party with Pastor
- Inviting spot
- Make Hospitality room into coffee area
- Turn foyer into coffee area
- Turn upper room area into inviting area
- Each one disciple one
- Small Groups clear on what disciple should do and where that would happen (work, church)
- Retreats-marriage encounter, prayer retreats
- Maximize Invite emphasis/paradigm to boldly engage the truth into other people’s lives
- Specific calls to action – people trained to help others, clear path
- Blog to discuss sermon
