Many of those who participated said they felt a sense of hope and
excitement, as well as a clearer awareness of the challenges ahead. As Art
Watson from Sunrise Chapel put it: “I feel just as overwhelmed as exhilarated
at revisiting the vision. It gave me a sense of excitement that something can be
done.”
Martha Heilman from the Glenview New Church said: “Focusing on small
groups is exciting to me because in the past we have not had a lot of places for
new people to plug in. With small groups in place, community and service
become frontrunners, and the teachings support those things. Our church
becomes one where we practice what we preach.”
The Rev. Mac Frazier from New Way Church in Austin, Texas, explained
that after last year’s outreach event, he and his team had a chance to reevaluate
their direction as a church. He said his church
stopped being all about the people who came
to church, but instead about those with whom
they could reach out to and connect.
He explained: “Each week we ask
ourselves, ‘Are we connecting people to each
other, and thus, to the Lord?’ If so, we know
we are achieving our goal.”
This new approach opened up their field
of influence, helping them reach out and
connect positively with many people who
otherwise likely never would come to church.
Other ministers came to the conference
feeling burdened with the challenges and
frustration of trying to meet the many different
needs of people in their congregations.
For them, the message of centering on one
thing they feel called to do, and celebrating
small steps and the smallest victories was
comforting.
Steve reminded us: “Don’t let problemsolving stop the decision that you feel called
to do. You can’t analyze every move and have
all the problems fixed. You have to just dream
it and then figure it out as you go. Dream the
dreams. Pray. Ask God, ‘What did you put me
on this planet for?’ Because when we are doing
what we’re gifted to do, we’re excited about it.”
He challenged the group to get creative
Focusing on small
groups is exciting
to me because in
the past we have
not had a lot of
places for new
people to plug
in. With small
groups in place,
community and
service become
frontrunners,
and the teachings
support those
things. Our church
becomes one
where we practice
what we preach.
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