THOUGHTS FROM THE REV…

Recently I received a note from Rev. Keith Bingham. He is in charge of Evangelism for the Winston-Salem District and is in the process of putting together a seminar on “The Power of Three: Plug-in” His note was asking me about the “Pew Captain” idea we reported on at Charge Conference – last November. In order to help us all better understand this concept allow me to share my response with you.

Keith,

We are in the process of starting 18 small groups… that is dividing the church into 18 small groups with around 10-12 members per group. These groups are basically for nurture (to care for each other in a closer way), study and service. We call it CONNECTING people to God. CONNECTING people to the church (us), and CONNECTING people to a place to serve God and our neighbors. We have four facilitators for each group who meet monthly with me for worship and encouragement and clarity, and meet with their group once a month. Each group works within the broad boundary of CONNECTING with the freedom to choose and own their own study, nurture, and outreach service. Two groups are young adults and two groups are day groups.

Along with the CONNECTING agenda comes the concept of making a place for people to be connected to our church. They are connected through small groups – that is the plug in point. Couple that with nurture – looking after each other - our pew captains are people from the small groups (the entire active church) who sit in the pews on Sundays. What they do is make sure that all people on their pew are welcomed, sign in on the registration form, are invited back and channeled toward a group that might fit their personality, age, situation, etc. So prior to church we greet them, during the sharing of the peace we greet them, and after church we continue the conversation and invite them back. Finally, they walk with them to the door and introduce them to other members and to me as first time visitors and give them a gift from the church that includes bread and information about the church. Their second visit focuses more on finding a place for them to belong… a small group.

The other part of the nurture is to make sure that you notice all persons in your group. If some are missing in church before the day is out you give them a call or send them an email or card saying that we missed them. All of this builds the nurturing closeness of the group and opens a door for those who are seeking a place to belong and grow and serve. All of this means that pew captains are not recruited (they are not even called that) they are members who are just expected to live out who they are (nurturing, caring people). Guess what? That caring is so contagious that people immediately feel welcome and at home.

Ten people have joined the church since February and it is not because of me. It is because the people care and express that care from the first moment these people walk in the door. They know we are making a place for them to belong.

Grace and Peace

Steve