Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Fall Growth Group Schedule

Dear Friend,

 

I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend. I also hope for many of you the new school year has gotten your family off to a great start! I am excited about the fall season at Ridgeview Church and some upcoming changes I would like to share with you.

 

History
 

Last Spring, our Advisory team began to dialogue on various areas of our church ministries. Out of those meetings I felt led to implement some changes in our small group ministry. We have always emphasized that small groups are important at Ridgeview. That hasn't changed. What will be changing is when we offer those groups (we call them Growth Groups). Changes coming this Sunday will be that all of our Growth Groups will be meeting Sunday morning before the worship service.

 

Why?
 

There are several reasons why these changes are being made:

 

1) Connection/Fellowship- this opportunity will enable us to meet for Bible study and worship for a longer period on Sunday morning. Built in to this schedule will be opportunities for connecting with your church family. I also believe this provides an easier way for newer people in our church to get involved in a Growth Group.
 
2) Unity- This schedule allows for more of our church family to meet together during the worship service. I think this allows for greater unity when more people are able to attend worship and hear announcements, and just "be together."
 

3) Discipleship- Was discipleship happening off campus in Growth Groups? Yes! But, one advantage of Sunday morning Growth Groups will be the opportunity for you to find a Life Transformation Group (LTG) partner during the week for greater spiritual growth. I know you are busy and this maximizes your time on Sunday morning.

 

 Schedule- BEGINS THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13!

 

This is an experiment. If we find it isn't working for us as a church, then we will look at other solutions. The key to all of this is flexibility. So, here is the plan of action:

 

9:30 am -10:15 am - Growth Groups (parents to sign kids in to Ridgekidz that meet during this time).

10:15 am -10:30 am – Break (coffee, restroom, fellowship, etc).

10:30 am – 11:00 am – Worship (Ridgekidz will attend worship in cafeteria and then go back to gym for second half of their program).

11:00 am – 11:30 – Worship (message, invitation, offering).

11:30 am – Worship service over. Parents sign out kids in preschool and children's areas of Ridgekidz.

*Preschoolers will stay in their classroom for the entirety of the morning.

 

This is the schedule our church felt they were most comfortable. Please let me know if you have any questions about these changes.

 

What now? Get involved in a Growth Group!

 

Okay, now that all of our Groups are meeting on Sunday morning, why don't you give Growth Groups a shot? Here are the Growth Group leaders for the fall.
 
*Students Group - Tim Camilletti & Milo Wilson
*College Group - Alison Kernell & Brandon Graves
*Women's Group - Paula Eill
*Eill Group - Paul Eill
*Cauble Group - CJ Cauble
*Pastor's Group - Tommy Hargrove
 
 
These Growth Groups will have discussion questions on the Bible text for the morning's message. Most of the Groups will meet in the cafetorium. Please report to the cafetorium and we will find you your Group.

 

We will have a few adjustments this Sunday. It will take a Sunday or two to get used to but I believe it's going to go well. I will see you this Sunday!
 
Pastor Tommy

 

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