Allen Kleine Deters
I am the church planter for the Niagara Falls, ON church plant yet to be named. I am married to an amazing woman full of compassion for the marginalized hence she is a special ed teacher of severe needs children. We have three boys (men) and one daughter-in-law. I am committed to Kingdom Theology and deeply believe in a biblical community that develops disciples for Christ. I am a small group geek and believe they are the best avenue in this endeavor. When managed with vision and mission small groups can cover most areas needed in developing as disciples of Jesus Christ and guiding people to live in missional communities.
Oh yeah, I'm also "The Reverend" formerly of the blues band, Reverend and the Blues Pushers, but now playing solo in my new parish community.
"Agape love alive and breathing, the Word and the power of Holy Spirit = reached people and changed lives"
Posted in: Why I Like Sermon-based Small Groups
Mike,
It's great that you've gotten some small groups happening at your church. I can see how it could be a little difficult when you have a number of people doing the preaching. Having a set format for developing your study guide helps tremendously with that. My suggestion, if you haven't alread, is to make sure the preaching team and staff are on the same page as to what you're trying to accomplish with the groups in terms of end result as to how people respond to the study. We are very focused on discipleship so we make sure that the application questions really take people beyond loosely applying the biblical text to their lives. I've been told that my questions really challenge people to share their spiritual and personal struggles and then to receive accountability from the group.
It may be helpful too for everyone to have a copy of the small group leaders best friend, The Seredipity Small Groups bible. There are questions for every pericope in the bible broken into three sections; starters, dig and application. I always have it open when I'm putting studies together. It can be helpful when you're not sure where to go with it or need a few helpful questions to include.
I'm happy to send you some sample copies of what I use here. Just let me know.
Keep up the good work.
Allen
Posted in: Two Books--Reviews: Both Bouquets and Near Brickbats
I did read Love Wins and was saddened and left with many more questions about his pop theology and use of scripture. I also found it lacking greatly in the work of the Holy Spirit in the whole discussion as well as reading scripture within the framework of the whole bible. I'm very much on the same page as Scott Hoezee and Mary Vanden Berg also a professor at Calvin Sem.
Posted in: Why I Like Sermon-based Small Groups
We've tried it in a previous church. But the truth is both the adults and teens would rather not discuss their lives together. Having been a youth pastor for many years I couldn't see it working. Youth are dealing with vastly different issues of which they don't feel very comfortable discussing amongst themselves let alone with a bunch of adults who generally like to tell them how to live their lives. Our youth have their own small groups discussing things more pertinent to their concerns and in a way that connects with them. We do get adults and youth together from time to time for kind of round table discussions. We get them involved in other ways.
I personally don't think that just getting the youth and young adults into mixed groups will change anything. It's a whole church systemic and mindset thing that's creating a gap. That's a whole different discussion altogether.
Posted in: Give Ear
That's an interesting observation John. For some that may be true. But I know that when I'm tired I struggle to really actively listen. Active listening makes me even more tired because my brain has to work so hard to really absorb. But for some it may work.
Posted in: Synod Discussion on Adolescents
There's nothing new in all this. The bottom line is if churches are focused on making disciples including and especially adults, the whole family including youth will come along.
When the youth and young adults see living and active Christ followers from cradle to grave, they will be more likely to stick.
"Helping adolescents live in today's culture" is a systemic problem of much of the CRC which suggests there is an isolation factor going on. If the church is engaging the culture around them as a regular part of ministry and life, this would be less of an issue. youth would already be growing up along side the reality of life and culture outside the church.
"Equipping adolescents for discipleship" suggests that discipleship is more a programmatic implementation than a lifestyle. And again adults need to model this. Shouldn't everything we do in church be about the disciple-making process from cradle to grave?
"Encourage congregations to engage adolescents" again reflects the lack of discipling happening in our congregations and is a systemic issue in the CRC.
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
My situation is this, we are working at growing a deeper partnering relationship with a Zambian pastor and his church (s) we have been supporting for some time. Two of us recently went there and firmly believe that working side by side even in stms is valuable. They want it and we want it. I can't help think that the discussion should not be all about best use of $$ because we all know it is not cheap to send people to Africa, but rather the significance of building such a relationship for the long-haul. It is valuable for them in connecting people and for us. Sometimes we need to experience a different culture just to see what God is doing and can do. Some people might say, "just send them money", but is that necessarily the best option for every situation?
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
I'm with you on this one Ken.
Lou, I hear your passion but also your angst. I believe the Holy Spirit can work in people's lives despite us and our imperfect system. But I picture you saying your comments with a lot of finger wagging. This is a tough issue the church is working through.
BTW, this pastor from Zambia has come to see us 3 times in the past six years to encourage us, report and has blessed our congregation in many ways by doing so. And seriously, it would be silly to even think that some of their folks could come here to work with us... unless we paid for it. You have to work with what you've got.
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
Steve, I agree with you on that.
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
In online conversation shouting is done in all uppercase -- SHOUTING. Sorry, didn't mean to shout ;-)
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
Thanks Fronse,
I had a similar experience this past summer in Zambia. We were in Chipata about 4-5 hours from Lusaka. We support a Reformed Pastor there. It was a very necessary trip to establish a deeper connection with the people there. They were soooo greatful and our relationship was strengthened. We saw many needs and projects first hand and are now making plans to work together on some of these projects. We've already established a new Zambian Ed fund to help students go to school and especially college.
Posted in: Chicken or the Egg??
I believe we certainly develop as disciples as we live out the mission. But we also see God's mission more clearly as we develop as disciples. Often it is the mission of God is the innertia of discipleship, but once it's moving it creates its own momentum... if that makes sense.
Allen
Posted in: Everyone a Missionary?
Okay, I'll weigh in here. I appreciate what has been said thus far. All I can say is that if ALL Christians are called to join God and participate in his mission in the world, then ALL Christians are missionaries of a sort whether in their own corner of the world in their community or as professionally trained missionaries.
I believe that part of the church equipping people for works of service includes how they are missionaries in their work places as well. Too often we make it sound as if the only valuable work of a Christian is how they serve in the church. People are looking to be equipped for ministering in the work place too.