Intentional Discipleship Path Begins Here

Adult faith formation and sermon-based small groups begin meeting this week. When on-going classes and service groups are included, over 100 adults are participating in intentional faith formation. This is a great week for Brighton First and there is even more to be excited about.

The Tuesday morning Men with Tools begins at 8:30 with discussion and
prayer and then spends the rest of the morning on work projects.

Those who are participating, have the opportunity to intentionally grow in discipleship in five specific areas: Worship,  Hospitality, Obedience to Jesus, Living in Relationship with other Disciples and Enthusiastic Service and Generosity (WHOLE).

In September, Brighton First introduced the "WHOLE" process for intentionally growing as a disciple of Christ. Congregation members were invited to consider their place on their spiritual journey. In what ways did their lives reflect active discipleship and in what areas would they like to grow? Those curious about the path they could take used a printed chart or a web-based inventory for discernment.

The Adult Faith Formation Team then invited congregation members to choose classes, small groups, outreach teams and service groups. Many signed up for groups in which they were already participating. However, many also signed up for four new small groups, five new classes, music and service opportunities.

The plan of the Adult Faith Formation Team is to offer opportunities in every area of the WHOLE model each "trimester", making three rounds of classes and small groups available each year. In addition, there will be all-church small group studies in Advent and Lent. The "WHOLE" process is based on a three-year cycle and is an intentional plan to consistently and clearly offer opportunities to grow in faith.

The goal is to offer choices that appeal to a variety of interests and styles and, yet, point all down a path toward growing as disciples of Christ.

Intentional Discipleship Path Begins Here

Adult faith formation and sermon-based small groups begin meeting this week. When on-going classes and service groups are included, over 100 adults are participating in intentional faith formation. This is a great week for Brighton First and there is even more to be excited about.

The Tuesday morning Men with Tools begins at 8:30 with discussion and
prayer and then spends the rest of the morning on work projects.

Those who are participating, have the opportunity to intentionally grow in discipleship in five specific areas: Worship,  Hospitality, Obedience to Jesus, Living in Relationship with other Disciples and Enthusiastic Service and Generosity (WHOLE).

In September, Brighton First introduced the "WHOLE" process for intentionally growing as a disciple of Christ. Congregation members were invited to consider their place on their spiritual journey. In what ways did their lives reflect active discipleship and in what areas would they like to grow? Those curious about the path they could take used a printed chart or a web-based inventory for discernment.

The Adult Faith Formation Team then invited congregation members to choose classes, small groups, outreach teams and service groups. Many signed up for groups in which they were already participating. However, many also signed up for four new small groups, five new classes, music and service opportunities.

The plan of the Adult Faith Formation Team is to offer opportunities in every area of the WHOLE model each "trimester", making three rounds of classes and small groups available each year. In addition, there will be all-church small group studies in Advent and Lent. The "WHOLE" process is based on a three-year cycle and is an intentional plan to consistently and clearly offer opportunities to grow in faith.

The goal is to offer choices that appeal to a variety of interests and styles and, yet, point all down a path toward growing as disciples of Christ.

Sermon-based Small Groups at Brighton First

In April 2016 I wrote the blog article 'Brighton First Aims to be a Sticky Church'". I reviewed the book Sticky Church by Larry Osborne. Osborne, the pastor of North Coast Church near San Diego, California writes that churches must find ways to help people to "stick" with a faith community or they will simply walk through the front door and leave quietly through the back door.

The Adult Faith Formation Team at Brighton First has taken this observation seriously and is introducing a small group ministry this fall. The two major goals of the small group ministry are to help people to grow, first, as disciples of Jesus Christ and, second, in relationship with one another. When people feel they are known and cared for by a church, they are more likely to "stick" in that church.

The ministry that will start with four small groups, using the North Coast Church model of "Sermon-Based Small Groups". The small groups will use sermon discussion guides to dig deeper into the issues raised by weekly sermons.

The small groups are scheduled to begin in October. If you are interested in learning more about the small group ministry and, perhaps, facilitating or hosting a small group yourself, contact Bob Fuchs.

You can learn more about the classes and small groups offered at Brighton First at our website.

Sermon-based Small Groups at Brighton First

In April 2016 I wrote the blog article 'Brighton First Aims to be a Sticky Church'". I reviewed the book Sticky Church by Larry Osborne. Osborne, the pastor of North Coast Church near San Diego, California writes that churches must find ways to help people to "stick" with a faith community or they will simply walk through the front door and leave quietly through the back door.

The Adult Faith Formation Team at Brighton First has taken this observation seriously and is introducing a small group ministry this fall. The two major goals of the small group ministry are to help people to grow, first, as disciples of Jesus Christ and, second, in relationship with one another. When people feel they are known and cared for by a church, they are more likely to "stick" in that church.

The ministry that will start with four small groups, using the North Coast Church model of "Sermon-Based Small Groups". The small groups will use sermon discussion guides to dig deeper into the issues raised by weekly sermons.

The small groups are scheduled to begin in October. If you are interested in learning more about the small group ministry and, perhaps, facilitating or hosting a small group yourself, contact Bob Fuchs.

You can learn more about the classes and small groups offered at Brighton First at our website.

Sermon-Based Small Groups Available This Fall

Vital, dynamic churches offer opportunities for connection and deep relationship. Churches may grow  in worship attendance because of excellent, compelling worship experiences. However, church ministry and mission is sustained by people who are in intentional relationship with God and with each other.

Brighton First has served the people of the Brighton area for over 150 years because its members have sought to serve and honor God and because its members have connected with one another. Years ago, it may have appeared simpler. The churches, in the small town of Brighton, were social hubs. From established community leaders to newcomers to town, many sought a church community to call their own. Life-long friendships were formed between those who would attend worship and carry out the work of the church.

Today, at Brighton First, many of our long-time members talk about how important the friendships have been that they have made through the church.

Unfortunately, times of have changed. In the rush of daily life, people have had to become intentional about forming and maintaining relationships. The same is true for the church. Attending worship together and sharing a few words over coffee does not sustain meaningful relationships. For those who desire to have a deeper connection with others, the church is called to provide avenues to cultivate relationships. For those who want to dig deeper into faith issues, the church can provide a place for that to happen.

Beginning this fall, we will be hosting small groups. Our small group leaders are being trained in August and early September. We are working to offer small group choices at different times of the day and week. The newly established small groups will be sermon-based, using discussion questions to carry on conversation about sermon topics.
Members of the congregation will have the opportunity to come together to learn more about each other, discuss the week's message and, together, apply it to daily living.

We are so pleased that several people have stepped forward to lead the small groups. Please plan to make a small group part of your spiritual practice. You will be blessed. You will be connected to people of the faith and walk this life's road together. For more information contact Bob Fuchs, Director of Discipleship.

This is the way church is supposed to be.

Sermon-Based Small Groups Available This Fall

Vital, dynamic churches offer opportunities for connection and deep relationship. Churches may grow  in worship attendance because of excellent, compelling worship experiences. However, church ministry and mission is sustained by people who are in intentional relationship with God and with each other.

Brighton First has served the people of the Brighton area for over 150 years because its members have sought to serve and honor God and because its members have connected with one another. Years ago, it may have appeared simpler. The churches, in the small town of Brighton, were social hubs. From established community leaders to newcomers to town, many sought a church community to call their own. Life-long friendships were formed between those who would attend worship and carry out the work of the church.

Today, at Brighton First, many of our long-time members talk about how important the friendships have been that they have made through the church.

Unfortunately, times of have changed. In the rush of daily life, people have had to become intentional about forming and maintaining relationships. The same is true for the church. Attending worship together and sharing a few words over coffee does not sustain meaningful relationships. For those who desire to have a deeper connection with others, the church is called to provide avenues to cultivate relationships. For those who want to dig deeper into faith issues, the church can provide a place for that to happen.

Beginning this fall, we will be hosting small groups. Our small group leaders are being trained in August and early September. We are working to offer small group choices at different times of the day and week. The newly established small groups will be sermon-based, using discussion questions to carry on conversation about sermon topics.
Members of the congregation will have the opportunity to come together to learn more about each other, discuss the week's message and, together, apply it to daily living.

We are so pleased that several people have stepped forward to lead the small groups. Please plan to make a small group part of your spiritual practice. You will be blessed. You will be connected to people of the faith and walk this life's road together. For more information contact Bob Fuchs, Director of Discipleship.

This is the way church is supposed to be.

Aiming to Be a Sticky Church

Larry Osborne, author of Sticky Church, tells the story of his early days as the pastor of North Coast Church near San Diego, California. It was a congregation of 150 when he started at the church and he had dreams of growing the church, but five years later the church was still at the same level of worship attendance. Osborne was frustrated and surprised. New people were attending and becoming regulars at the church. Why wasn't the church growing?

It was at this point that Osborne and his team realized that while the "front door" to the church was open and ready, the "back door" to the church was also wide open. People were attending regularly, then less regularly, then quietly walking away. He decided that if the church was going to grow, North Coast Church would have to become a "sticky church", a place where people come to find and new church home and stay, becoming committed disciples.

The turn around came when the church did one specific thing: they formed sermon-based small groups that met weekly in the homes of congregation members. Each week, small group leaders are given a discussion guide based on that week's sermon and the groups meet.

Osborne found that when people were connected in community, not only did people grow in faith, but the church flourished. In the early 80's the church started to grow and has gone from 150 to 7,000 worshipers each weekend. Osborne writes that this did not happen because of a great marketing campaign or perfect worship/preaching every Sunday
, but because the church is committed to having 80% of the people who regularly attend worship at North Coast Church participating in small groups.

The sermon-based small group's two major goals are to connect people to the Bible and to other Christians. Osborne writes, "While it's true that a Lone Ranger can learn a lot through self-study, Lone Rangers are not exempt from 'need to know' and 'need to grow' moments. Yet when they are faced with one, their isolation guarantees that the only thing they'll know is what they already know. As for wise counsel, a warm hug, or a swift kick in the rear, those are rather hard to self-administer. If we don't already have those kinds of relationship in place, it's usually too late to pull them together once a 'need to know' or 'need to grow' crisis hits with full force."

"Small groups change everything." Osborne writes about the many ways small groups can change a church. They dispel the myth that a person with theological training or being on site at a church are necessary for spiritual growth. Small groups encourage spiritual practices, increase "come and see" evangelism and improve a pastor's preaching.

Brighton First's Discipleship Team is working to introduce both study classes and small groups to the congregation in the fall. If you are curious and, perhaps, feeling led to be in a small group or to lead one, please contact Bob Fuchs or myself. This is an exciting time for our church as we continue to know, love and serve God together.

Aiming to Be a Sticky Church

Larry Osborne, author of Sticky Church, tells the story of his early days as the pastor of North Coast Church near San Diego, California. It was a congregation of 150 when he started at the church and he had dreams of growing the church, but five years later the church was still at the same level of worship attendance. Osborne was frustrated and surprised. New people were attending and becoming regulars at the church. Why wasn't the church growing?

It was at this point that Osborne and his team realized that while the "front door" to the church was open and ready, the "back door" to the church was also wide open. People were attending regularly, then less regularly, then quietly walking away. He decided that if the church was going to grow, North Coast Church would have to become a "sticky church", a place where people come to find and new church home and stay, becoming committed disciples.

The turn around came when the church did one specific thing: they formed sermon-based small groups that met weekly in the homes of congregation members. Each week, small group leaders are given a discussion guide based on that week's sermon and the groups meet.

Osborne found that when people were connected in community, not only did people grow in faith, but the church flourished. In the early 80's the church started to grow and has gone from 150 to 7,000 worshipers each weekend. Osborne writes that this did not happen because of a great marketing campaign or perfect worship/preaching every Sunday
, but because the church is committed to having 80% of the people who regularly attend worship at North Coast Church participating in small groups.

The sermon-based small group's two major goals are to connect people to the Bible and to other Christians. Osborne writes, "While it's true that a Lone Ranger can learn a lot through self-study, Lone Rangers are not exempt from 'need to know' and 'need to grow' moments. Yet when they are faced with one, their isolation guarantees that the only thing they'll know is what they already know. As for wise counsel, a warm hug, or a swift kick in the rear, those are rather hard to self-administer. If we don't already have those kinds of relationship in place, it's usually too late to pull them together once a 'need to know' or 'need to grow' crisis hits with full force."

"Small groups change everything." Osborne writes about the many ways small groups can change a church. They dispel the myth that a person with theological training or being on site at a church are necessary for spiritual growth. Small groups encourage spiritual practices, increase "come and see" evangelism and improve a pastor's preaching.

Brighton First's Discipleship Team is working to introduce both study classes and small groups to the congregation in the fall. If you are curious and, perhaps, feeling led to be in a small group or to lead one, please contact Bob Fuchs or myself. This is an exciting time for our church as we continue to know, love and serve God together.