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Taking People Deeper
By Paul | February 7, 2008
Pastor Dave Hilliard, you may or may not know, has the official title of Pastor of Assimilation, or integrating people into Bethel so that they can become better disciples of Jesus Christ. He went on a sabbatical last summer, and God gave him and idea or two on how to take people deeper into the lifeblood of Bethel. One of these methods was a Turbo Training class. Here’s what it’s about:
1. What led you to putting together a Bethel Turbo Training class?
Some reading I did as part of my sabbatical study on “closing the back door” convinced me that we needed an intermediate step to help motivated newcomers get on board with Bethel. We are losing too many people who attend for a few months and then drift away.
2. How does it differ from some of the other classes Bethel offers? What are its objectives?
Although we use the Bethel Basic Training booklet to briefly expose people to the gospel, spiritual growth disciplines, and doctrine, the primary objectives of the class are to
1) Develop relationships with the instructor and some others in the class
2) Connect with a longer-term small group
3) Identify spiritual gifts, ministry passion, and places of service within Bethel.
3. What’s its tie to small groups?
We not only talk about small groups in the class, but we give people a taste of small groups in the class. The face-to-face interaction also helps me know which groups to link people with as their “next step.” The nucleus of at least one new small group could form in the current class.
4. When is it offered? How often do you plan on offering it during the year? What kind of person would be best referred to the class?
We had the five-week class in October, started one last week, and will offer another in May. The class is designed for newcomers and people who have been around Bethel a while who want to accelerate the process of understanding Bethel’s foundation and linking with people, groups, and ministry opportunities here. It is also for people who want to jump-start the membership process.
5. Personally, what kind of fulfillment do you get out of leading classes like these, and other assimilation opportunities?
I meet a lot of newcomers at Bethel, but this class gives me a chance to get to know them better and be a link in the chain of their discipleship and church home development. Because they are so eager and positive, it is a blessing.
6. How can we leaders best be praying for you right now?
Related to this class, my prayer requests are
1) Successful hand-offs to other group and ministry leaders
2) Identifying facilitators who are drawn to developing this ministry.
3) That I wouldn’t lose focus on newcomers and the assimilation process amid other demands.
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