I am the Pastor of Faith Formation at Nelson Avenue Community Church. We take a holistic view of Faith Formation defining it as "the life long journey (from cradle to grave) of being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ for the sake of others." I'm learning how to make this definition a practical part of our everyday life both in our church community and outside our church.
Yes we compost and recycle. As our garbage pick up is private and doesn't include composting, we have dedicated people who take it home and put it in the city's compost bins. That way, when we do use paper plates, cups and napkins, like at our Kick-Off Party, we can compost them along with the food. Plastic ware goes in the recycle. That way a big event ends up with little garbage.
We also have a recycling station in our church hallway with clearly labeled bins. These too are emptied and recycled by volunteers.
I encouraged you to look into this for your church.
I was going to suggest the Building Blocks of Faith also. It depends what your reason and/or objective is for evaluating your ministries. Once you are clear about that, then you can look for a tool to evaluate them.
I watch the Calvin Student Service LOFT Sunday nights. They also livestream and archive the Chapels. Go to https://calvin.edu/studentlife/faith-worship/ to find the links. I am so blessed by seeing college students lead worship and by Pastor Mary Hulst's preaching. Even though it's directed to college students, I always learn or am challenged by something.
Hi, at Nelson Avenue Community Church (CRC) in Burnaby, BC we have a Safe Church protocol that requires all those who work with children, youth and lead adults to have filled out an application with 2 references, attend an interview, have a criminal record check and attend Safe Church training and yearly refreshers. This is for all people including the parents of the children in the ministries. Our denominational Safe Church Ministry would be able to help you with that.
I'm afraid I don't have an answer as we do not train our post-service prayer volunteers. I'm realizing what an oversight that is. We choose people who are mature in their Christian life, model a life of prayer and wish to be there for others. I can see where training can be affective and bring more depth and meaning to the prayers that are prayed. I look forward to other people's answers.
Steve, I've been asked to give some direction to a Young Adult group. Can you tell me more about what Huddles are about? How are they formed and how do they go deeper? Do you have specific questions that they ask?
Thanks Mark. However, the webinar does not appear under the scheduled section of the webinar site. It is only listed as proposed so people will not be able to register. Can you get that changed.
We have people in the congregation read the scripture before the sermon and that is one place people from all generations can participate. Youth also participate in choir and praise teams.
Hi, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. For scripture readers I simply compile an ongoing list of people of all ages who would like to read the scripture. Sometimes I try and find someone that matches the service, but mostly I just schedule according to whomever is available. It makes it more natural rather than focussing on age. The only criteria is that they can read well and that they use the NIV translation.
As a worship planning team we're reading the book "A Church For All Ages" which is helping us to understand and hopefully change how we do intergenerational worship.
We don't do anything specific with sermon outlines other than a general one. We have a large ESL group so we include the various scripture references. Other than that it's just the main points of the sermon with room for notes.
I like the idea of junior deacons. Can you tell me more about who they are and how they are selected?
Posted in: Does Your Church Compost?
Yes we compost and recycle. As our garbage pick up is private and doesn't include composting, we have dedicated people who take it home and put it in the city's compost bins. That way, when we do use paper plates, cups and napkins, like at our Kick-Off Party, we can compost them along with the food. Plastic ware goes in the recycle. That way a big event ends up with little garbage.
We also have a recycling station in our church hallway with clearly labeled bins. These too are emptied and recycled by volunteers.
I encouraged you to look into this for your church.
Posted in: Ministry Evaluation Tool?
I was going to suggest the Building Blocks of Faith also. It depends what your reason and/or objective is for evaluating your ministries. Once you are clear about that, then you can look for a tool to evaluate them.
Posted in: What Sermons Do You Listen to Online?
I watch the Calvin Student Service LOFT Sunday nights. They also livestream and archive the Chapels. Go to https://calvin.edu/studentlife/faith-worship/ to find the links. I am so blessed by seeing college students lead worship and by Pastor Mary Hulst's preaching. Even though it's directed to college students, I always learn or am challenged by something.
Posted in: Background Checks for VBS Volunteers?
Hi, at Nelson Avenue Community Church (CRC) in Burnaby, BC we have a Safe Church protocol that requires all those who work with children, youth and lead adults to have filled out an application with 2 references, attend an interview, have a criminal record check and attend Safe Church training and yearly refreshers. This is for all people including the parents of the children in the ministries. Our denominational Safe Church Ministry would be able to help you with that.
Posted in: How Are Elders and Prayer Leaders Equipped to Pray for Worship and With Others After Worship?
I'm afraid I don't have an answer as we do not train our post-service prayer volunteers. I'm realizing what an oversight that is. We choose people who are mature in their Christian life, model a life of prayer and wish to be there for others. I can see where training can be affective and bring more depth and meaning to the prayers that are prayed. I look forward to other people's answers.
Posted in: Young Adult Bible Study Suggestions?
Steve, I've been asked to give some direction to a Young Adult group. Can you tell me more about what Huddles are about? How are they formed and how do they go deeper? Do you have specific questions that they ask?
Posted in: Has anyone used the small group study on prayer from Faith Alive?
Hi Tim,
The study is from Faith Alive's "Discover Your Bible" series and is called "Discover Prayer". The link to the leadership guide is http://www.faithaliveresources.org/Products/152705/discover-prayer-leader-guide.aspx
Posted in: Is the Walking With People With Mental Illness webinar on Sept 26 or still on the proposed list?
Thanks Mark. However, the webinar does not appear under the scheduled section of the webinar site. It is only listed as proposed so people will not be able to register. Can you get that changed.
Posted in: Does anyone have a job description for a Prayer Coordinator?
I've been reading the Prayer Saturated Church by Cheryl Sacks that has a section on developing job descriptions. It might be helpful.
Posted in: How Do You Incorporate Children Into the Sunday Worship Service?
We have people in the congregation read the scripture before the sermon and that is one place people from all generations can participate. Youth also participate in choir and praise teams.
Posted in: How Do You Incorporate Children Into the Sunday Worship Service?
Hi, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. For scripture readers I simply compile an ongoing list of people of all ages who would like to read the scripture. Sometimes I try and find someone that matches the service, but mostly I just schedule according to whomever is available. It makes it more natural rather than focussing on age. The only criteria is that they can read well and that they use the NIV translation.
As a worship planning team we're reading the book "A Church For All Ages" which is helping us to understand and hopefully change how we do intergenerational worship.
We don't do anything specific with sermon outlines other than a general one. We have a large ESL group so we include the various scripture references. Other than that it's just the main points of the sermon with room for notes.
I like the idea of junior deacons. Can you tell me more about who they are and how they are selected?
Posted in: Giveaway Time! Just Say "Hi" and Be Entered to Win Best-Selling Book
Hello! Looking forward to another year on the Network.