The Sower

Archive for September, 2007

Status Check

Friday, September 28th, 2007

At a recent staff meeting, thematic goal director Kelli Templeton scheduled a check-in for the 5 defining objectives of Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with Jesus. Reporting in:

Equipping Small Group Leaders:  Paul Casey reported on the sermon series (via Kelli and her team) coordinated study being copied over 1400 times and most GROW groups using it […]

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The PAPA Prayer in Pursuing Jesus

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

by Larry Crabb
P resent yourself to God (what’s going on right now inside of you)
A ttend to Who He is
P urge yourself of anything interfering with your relationship with Him)
A pproach Him (what’s on your heart to bring before Him)
This prayer was meaningful to Pastor Dave Hilliard while on sabbatical this summer.  He was also […]

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Books That Made a Difference in Leaders’ Lives

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Last year the then-called GROWing Families leaders were surveyed as to which books they had read had made a powerful impact on their lives. Here’s a spattering of their replies:
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper
Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon
Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness by […]

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Small Group MEMBER Job Description

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

As you launch your small group, you may want to consider asking your members to write their own job description for being a member of your group. Then take time to share each others’ comments. And this resource from Why Small Groups? by CJ Mahaney could be more food for thought.
Purpose:
             To apply God’s Word […]

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Retreat to the Mountains

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

This fall is our first God-lover Retreat, a time to deeply pursue Jesus in an experiencial way without distractions in a beautiful place for 24 hours. November 2-3 (Friday night at 5:30 to Sat at 5:30) is the date, and it’s something to calendar now in order to make reservations.
We’d love for you as a […]

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10 Creative Ways to Celebrate the Lord’s Supper

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

10 Creative Suggestions  by  the Let’s Worship  Magazine staff
1. Utilize all five senses

Smell (incense)
Sight (banner)
Hearing (anvil)
Touch (bread)
Taste (cup)

2. Serve the Lord’s Supper in family groups.
3. Emphasize Old Testament symbolism.

Passover symbolism (The bread was striped and pierced, blood of the lamb on the doorposts, and the bitter herbs symbolic of […]

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Sitting Under a Big Dog This Week?

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

Pastor Dave showed a picture of a cat being sat on by a dog this past Sunday, and used that as an illustration for “Big Dogs” in our lives that crush our spirit and take the fight out of us.

Two key big-dogs are guilt and fear.
God has given us resources to avoid being crushed by […]

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8 Do’s and Don’ts for Your First Meeting

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

  (from Group Publishing)
 
The launch of your small group is an exciting event. You’re taking a diverse group of individuals and forming them into a community. Your goal is to create an atmosphere that allows people to blend comfortably and not feel threatened. So with that in mind, consider a few ground rules for how you’ll […]

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So Much Going On

Wednesday, September 12th, 2007

Here’s an update on news around Bethel, as reported at Monday’s staff meeting:

Did you know that Teri Pearson has been working at Bethel for 12 years and Mary Spanner for 9 years? Celebrate them with the staff the next time you see them for their faithful service.
Pastor Dave taught the staff more on the spiritual […]

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We wanted to give you a head’s up on the upcoming coordinated small group study and sermon series.  The study will be available to pick up in the foyer this Sunday, September 9th before and after services.  We ask that you pick up one copy per person since the study is free of cost.  The […]

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