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