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.

The Power of Small Groups

Macky Bachelor - "A lot more
than sewing goes on here."

On Monday morning I stopped by the weekly meeting of the Prayers and Squares quilters to talk with the people that make and give away over 100 prayer quilts each year. Macky Bachelor has just returned from wintering in the south and I asked her, "So did you miss sewing when you were away?" Macky said, "I still sewed. A lot more than sewing that goes on here."

I made the mistake of thinking of the Prayers and Squares group as simply the producer of quilts. The group does spend Monday mornings measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing, but the room is also filled with conversation and laughter. There is a time when all the work stops and someone leads a devotion and the group prays together. I have seen them circle around to pray for a group member and I have witnessed their care for one another that reaches beyond the 3 hours on Monday mornings.

The Prayers and Squares quilt ministry has been an entry point for people who join Brighton First and it has been a group that has held tight to its members even when they, through illness or age, were no longer able to attend. 

As Brighton First works to develop an intentional discipleship plan for moving people from "seekers" to maturing Christians, we will be training leaders who will form small groups. Groups will have the goal of connecting people to other Christians and creating safe places to discuss the Bible and faith issues. Our prayer is that the depth of fellowship and care that Prayers and Squares quilters experience will be enjoyed by all Brighton First small groups. 

The Prayers and Squares group is a place of prayer, care and
friendship. Group members may come to make quilts
but they discover that the group offers much more.

The Power of Small Groups

Macky Bachelor - "A lot more
than sewing goes on here."

On Monday morning I stopped by the weekly meeting of the Prayers and Squares quilters to talk with the people that make and give away over 100 prayer quilts each year. Macky Bachelor has just returned from wintering in the south and I asked her, "So did you miss sewing when you were away?" Macky said, "I still sewed. A lot more than sewing that goes on here."

I made the mistake of thinking of the Prayers and Squares group as simply the producer of quilts. The group does spend Monday mornings measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing, but the room is also filled with conversation and laughter. There is a time when all the work stops and someone leads a devotion and the group prays together. I have seen them circle around to pray for a group member and I have witnessed their care for one another that reaches beyond the 3 hours on Monday mornings.

The Prayers and Squares quilt ministry has been an entry point for people who join Brighton First and it has been a group that has held tight to its members even when they, through illness or age, were no longer able to attend. 

As Brighton First works to develop an intentional discipleship plan for moving people from "seekers" to maturing Christians, we will be training leaders who will form small groups. Groups will have the goal of connecting people to other Christians and creating safe places to discuss the Bible and faith issues. Our prayer is that the depth of fellowship and care that Prayers and Squares quilters experience will be enjoyed by all Brighton First small groups. 

The Prayers and Squares group is a place of prayer, care and
friendship. Group members may come to make quilts
but they discover that the group offers much more.

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