Adult Faith Formation at Brighton First Gets Focused

The Vital Church Initiative Report directed Brighton First to examine it's faith formation programming for adults and intentionally create a plan for making disciples for Christ. Over the summer of 2015 as Discipleship Task Force met to review current adult faith formation opportunities and practices and to create and implement a plan. The task force sought to keep what was working in faith formation at Brighton First and to enhance programming.

Beginning this September, there are three paths toward faith formation and strengthened discipleship. The paths are Discovery Groups, Life Groups and Study Groups.

Discovery Groups are formed to gain information and understanding about specific topics over a short time frame. They are designed specifically for visitors, the unchurched, the new believer and the mature believer newly involved at Brighton First. They are a starting point for connection to God, to others and to Brighton First. Discovery Groups will meet primarily on Sunday morning and will include Discovery Tours of the church campus, Methodism 1010, Q and A with Clergy and Sermon discussion.

Life Groups are intentional groups of people committed to doing life together for a minimum of one year in order to navigate the highs and lows of their faith journey and explore the Jesus way of living with others. Life groups may meet around different interests, they can be groups for men or women only or co-ed. Life groups may meet in the church, in another public place or at people's homes. Some will meet weekly and others monthly. Life group leaders have volunteered and training begins in October. It is the goal to have 20 life groups in place by the end of 2015.

Study groups meet regularly for a specific amount of time to discuss topics of interests, books, Bible study, or Advent or Lenten studies. These groups are formed and offered with the intent to deepen understanding of God and God's work in them and the world. These study groups will be offered on Sunday morning as well as various times during the week.

Please consider which of these groups most interest you? Are  you drawn to be a part of a life group? To join a study group or even lead a group? How could you be part of the discovery group team? If interested, please contact Deacon Loretta.

Adult Faith Formation at Brighton First Gets Focused

The Vital Church Initiative Report directed Brighton First to examine it's faith formation programming for adults and intentionally create a plan for making disciples for Christ. Over the summer of 2015 as Discipleship Task Force met to review current adult faith formation opportunities and practices and to create and implement a plan. The task force sought to keep what was working in faith formation at Brighton First and to enhance programming.

Beginning this September, there are three paths toward faith formation and strengthened discipleship. The paths are Discovery Groups, Life Groups and Study Groups.

Discovery Groups are formed to gain information and understanding about specific topics over a short time frame. They are designed specifically for visitors, the unchurched, the new believer and the mature believer newly involved at Brighton First. They are a starting point for connection to God, to others and to Brighton First. Discovery Groups will meet primarily on Sunday morning and will include Discovery Tours of the church campus, Methodism 1010, Q and A with Clergy and Sermon discussion.

Life Groups are intentional groups of people committed to doing life together for a minimum of one year in order to navigate the highs and lows of their faith journey and explore the Jesus way of living with others. Life groups may meet around different interests, they can be groups for men or women only or co-ed. Life groups may meet in the church, in another public place or at people's homes. Some will meet weekly and others monthly. Life group leaders have volunteered and training begins in October. It is the goal to have 20 life groups in place by the end of 2015.

Study groups meet regularly for a specific amount of time to discuss topics of interests, books, Bible study, or Advent or Lenten studies. These groups are formed and offered with the intent to deepen understanding of God and God's work in them and the world. These study groups will be offered on Sunday morning as well as various times during the week.

Please consider which of these groups most interest you? Are  you drawn to be a part of a life group? To join a study group or even lead a group? How could you be part of the discovery group team? If interested, please contact Deacon Loretta.

Faith Development Team Plans for Disciple-Making at Brighton First

Brighton First's Faith Development Team is creating an intentional plan for disciple-making at Brighton First. At its latest meeting, the group discussed discipling programs at other churches and what would work best at Brighton First.

They are developing a three-prong plan. Discovery Groups will serve as an introduction for new people to Brighton First. Study groups will be available for those who appreciate the student aspect of discipleship. The third will be life groups/home groups that serve in the "relationship building" aspect of discipleship.

The team agreed that it will take the formation of more small groups to build lasting relationships at the church. Groups may be assigned by region, by age group or by life circumstances. The team will prepare the church for an November 2015 all-church study Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels. Small group leaders will be trained for the event.

The team discussed the need for congregational assessment tools, one to see what types of small group settings will work best and another to assess where individuals are on their spiritual journeys. 

The team spent time discussing the availability of adult classes on Sunday morning and what class offerings would be effective. Possible Sunday morning opportunities include a men's Bible study, a class on Methodism and John Wesley, and a group for sermon discussion with follow up questions. Another possibility is to offer a Sunday brunch group with rotating topics, which might include a FAQ session about the church, a tour of the facility, sermon discussion and/or a brief time with clergy.

The Wednesday night program, Crossroads, has seen a decline in attendance in the last few years. The Faith Development Team believes that the ideal would be to see classes and small groups available every night of the week, some at the church and others in the community or in homes.

Please pray for the Faith Development Team as they continue their work. Members of the team are Loretta Job, John Phillips, Amy Steffans, Verne Hoshal, Suzanne Everett, Hilary Bott, and Karen Wagg.

Look forward to a small group experience with the November all-church study, Just Walk Across the Room

Faith Development Team Plans for Disciple-Making at Brighton First

Brighton First's Faith Development Team is creating an intentional plan for disciple-making at Brighton First. At its latest meeting, the group discussed discipling programs at other churches and what would work best at Brighton First.

They are developing a three-prong plan. Discovery Groups will serve as an introduction for new people to Brighton First. Study groups will be available for those who appreciate the student aspect of discipleship. The third will be life groups/home groups that serve in the "relationship building" aspect of discipleship.

The team agreed that it will take the formation of more small groups to build lasting relationships at the church. Groups may be assigned by region, by age group or by life circumstances. The team will prepare the church for an November 2015 all-church study Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels. Small group leaders will be trained for the event.

The team discussed the need for congregational assessment tools, one to see what types of small group settings will work best and another to assess where individuals are on their spiritual journeys. 

The team spent time discussing the availability of adult classes on Sunday morning and what class offerings would be effective. Possible Sunday morning opportunities include a men's Bible study, a class on Methodism and John Wesley, and a group for sermon discussion with follow up questions. Another possibility is to offer a Sunday brunch group with rotating topics, which might include a FAQ session about the church, a tour of the facility, sermon discussion and/or a brief time with clergy.

The Wednesday night program, Crossroads, has seen a decline in attendance in the last few years. The Faith Development Team believes that the ideal would be to see classes and small groups available every night of the week, some at the church and others in the community or in homes.

Please pray for the Faith Development Team as they continue their work. Members of the team are Loretta Job, John Phillips, Amy Steffans, Verne Hoshal, Suzanne Everett, Hilary Bott, and Karen Wagg.

Look forward to a small group experience with the November all-church study, Just Walk Across the Room

Brighton First Faith Development Team Begins Work on Discipling Plan

The newly formed Faith Development Team has begun work on an intentional faith development plan for the people of Brighton First, both those who are currently part of the community of faith and future congregation members.

Team members include: Loretta Job, John Phillips, Hilary Bott, Amy Steffans, Suzanne Everett, Karen Wagg and Verne Hoshal. Each member of the team brings experience in small groups, Bible study and service in the name of Jesus Christ.

The task of the team is to create a system of gatherings, small groups, studies and service opportunities that assists people to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Currently, Brighton First offers many opportunities for spiritual growth, but the choices are based on leaders' interests, worship themes and the church year (Advent, Lent). Brighton First does not have an intentional plan to move people from seeker, to faithful, to active disciple.

The system that the Faith Development Team creates will incorporate much of what Brighton First is already doing. The goal is to make small group and class choices clearer for new congregation members and to move people deliberately toward a life of discipleship through learning opportunities.

Please keep this team in prayer as they work through the summer with the goal of rolling out their plan in September.

Brighton First Faith Development Team Begins Work on Discipling Plan

The newly formed Faith Development Team has begun work on an intentional faith development plan for the people of Brighton First, both those who are currently part of the community of faith and future congregation members.

Team members include: Loretta Job, John Phillips, Hilary Bott, Amy Steffans, Suzanne Everett, Karen Wagg and Verne Hoshal. Each member of the team brings experience in small groups, Bible study and service in the name of Jesus Christ.

The task of the team is to create a system of gatherings, small groups, studies and service opportunities that assists people to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Currently, Brighton First offers many opportunities for spiritual growth, but the choices are based on leaders' interests, worship themes and the church year (Advent, Lent). Brighton First does not have an intentional plan to move people from seeker, to faithful, to active disciple.

The system that the Faith Development Team creates will incorporate much of what Brighton First is already doing. The goal is to make small group and class choices clearer for new congregation members and to move people deliberately toward a life of discipleship through learning opportunities.

Please keep this team in prayer as they work through the summer with the goal of rolling out their plan in September.