Wanted to give everyone a brief update -- recovery is going well! Each weekend since the surgery, I've tried to spend A LOT of time resting...seems to give me a jump start on the week. By Thursday, I wear down pretty quickly. But, each week is getting better.
My family returned from vacation on Saturday morning. Strangely, the pain I'd been having in my right leg disappeared. I feel like a piece of me is missing when they are gone. Seems my body thinks so too. Sunday evening, Kurt made a wonderful meal and I finally found myself hungry. I really can't remember the last time I actually WANTED to eat -- several weeks before surgery, for sure.
I am doing better, I feel like. I've learned more about my limits. I am staying within them better than I did at first -- and it is helping. I am REALLY looking forward to church on Sunday. Please understand if I can't receive all the greetings you have to give. It will come...
Now, on to the blog. I wanted to say thanks to Afton and Julie for posting their comments. I hope more people will tell me what they think. As I pray about this -- I know it will be a HUGE shift for our church. I think it holds much potential. Realizing the potential will take the buy-in of many in the congregation. So, I'd love to hear what you're thinking.
I have two of the books that outline the process still waiting to be read in my office. I'd be glad to get them to anyone interested in reading up. We'll be discussing the calendar in more detail at the executive committee meeting after church on Sunday. Then, I'll be posting some dates for us to consider.
Wonder how the Holy Spirit might work through us in this process?
Thanks to everyone who checked on Charla and helped with a variety of things while Elizabeth and I were away. I was reluctant to go, but Charla kept reminding me of all of you who were committed to helping her. Thanks again, your gift was beyond measure.––Kurt
ReplyDeleteI have truly enjoyed keeping up with the blog over the past few weeks, and am excited about the possibilities that this idea of small groups could bring to us.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading Julie’s comment it triggered a brainstorm that I thought I might offer up for the good of the cause.
In planning the small groups what if we looked at having some of them focused on a particular area of interest? We’re already doing that with things like the book study Kurt led, the Circle of Grace, (who by the way has a beautiful quilt under way!) maybe we can expand on that idea.
For some of the small groups, the devotional, play date, and service project could all be related to a theme. With such a great variety of resources available for topical Bible studies, I think you can find just about anything.
For instance, one example that came to mind was a cooking small group, where maybe the play date would be a cooking class and the service project something with the Meals on Wheels, the food pantry, or serving at a soup kitchen. (I googled “cooking bible study” and found this book Cooking with the Bible, which looked fun!- http://www.greenwood.com/catalog/GR3410.aspx).
What about a young families small group that focuses on exploring resources for family devotionals, and has a kid friendly outing and service project? Or a foreign language group, or a fishing group, a carpentry group, a gardening group, an educators group? Steve and Craig have been trying to figure out how to start a motorcycle small group anyway, I bet we could even find them a devotional that fits. : )
I think there could be some advantages to having some interest based groups. First it might make it easier for someone that’s new to the church to get involved if they know they already have something in common with the group. Also it would be well defined, which might take away fear of the unknown as a barrier. An interest based group would be easy to join or get out of to try something else. And, it might also make finding leadership easier by providing an opportunity for someone to share their passion in a way that disciples others in Christ.
What I don’t know is whether or not we could find themes that would appeal to a large enough group of people to have the size you are envisioning Charla. But- it might also be a really good way for those participating to invite friends.
I’m sure whatever form a church of small groups might take there will be blessings and challenges we can not begin to imagine as we are starting to plan. However, I think that focusing on connecting to one another and connecting each other to Christ will bring a powerful presence of the Spirit to this church.
I think the countdown to that rocket ship launch has started...