Sunday Breakfast for New Launch Congregation

On Sunday, June 19, Brighton First will host a breakfast for the Launching Congregation of our upcoming band-led worship. The breakfast will begin at 10:30 am, directly after the 9:30 worship service. All those interested in hearing more about our new 11:00 worship service are welcome to attend.

The Vital Church Initiative Consultation Report (find a PDF of the consultation report in the "documents" link at the top of the right column of this blog page) directed Brighton First to act in specific ways to improve worship. By adopting the consultation report, we agreed to take these actions.

In the fall of 2015 we hired worship consultant, Rev. Cathy Townley. With her direction we have been working to improve all of our worship services. Brighton First also agreed to re-invent our third worship service. On May 22, the 11:00 worship service was closed. Over the summer we have begun to develop a new worship format with the help of newly hired worship leader Mike Tooman.

The breakfast on June 19 is an opportunity for those who will be attending the new worship service to get to know each other. In addition Mike Tooman, Director of Discipleship Bob Fuchs and myself will cast a vision for the new worshiping congregation of the band-led worship service.

The agenda for Sunday includes: "get-acquainted" conversations around the tables as we share a meal, singing led by Mike Tooman and presentations from church leaders. The breakfast meeting will end with a challenge to attendees to commit to different ministries that will support the new congregation.

This is an exciting time in the life of Brighton First and I look forward to what God has in store for this new venture in ministry. If you plan to attend the breakfast on Sunday, June 19 at 10:30 please RSVP HERE.

Sunday Breakfast for New Launch Congregation

On Sunday, June 19, Brighton First will host a breakfast for the Launching Congregation of our upcoming band-led worship. The breakfast will begin at 10:30 am, directly after the 9:30 worship service. All those interested in hearing more about our new 11:00 worship service are welcome to attend.

The Vital Church Initiative Consultation Report (find a PDF of the consultation report in the "documents" link at the top of the right column of this blog page) directed Brighton First to act in specific ways to improve worship. By adopting the consultation report, we agreed to take these actions.

In the fall of 2015 we hired worship consultant, Rev. Cathy Townley. With her direction we have been working to improve all of our worship services. Brighton First also agreed to re-invent our third worship service. On May 22, the 11:00 worship service was closed. Over the summer we have begun to develop a new worship format with the help of newly hired worship leader Mike Tooman.

The breakfast on June 19 is an opportunity for those who will be attending the new worship service to get to know each other. In addition Mike Tooman, Director of Discipleship Bob Fuchs and myself will cast a vision for the new worshiping congregation of the band-led worship service.

The agenda for Sunday includes: "get-acquainted" conversations around the tables as we share a meal, singing led by Mike Tooman and presentations from church leaders. The breakfast meeting will end with a challenge to attendees to commit to different ministries that will support the new congregation.

This is an exciting time in the life of Brighton First and I look forward to what God has in store for this new venture in ministry. If you plan to attend the breakfast on Sunday, June 19 at 10:30 please RSVP HERE.

11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service to End on May 22

After prayer and discussion, leaders of our church have determined that our current 11:00 worship service will close after Sunday worship on May 22. Summer will be a time of “reconfiguring” as we design a new band-led worship service that will begin at 11:00 am on Sunday, September 11.

Over the summer, the newly formed praise band and worship leaders will prepare for the new worship launch. There will be two preview worship services at 11:00 on Sunday, July 24 and August 21. Worshipers will experience the new style of worship and take part in evaluating the worship service for improvement.

Many have asked how they can assist in launching our new worship service:

·         Pray. Pray for the faithful members of 11:00 worship who will be joining the 9:30 am worship for the summer. Also, please hold the development of the new worship service in your prayers.

·         Be part of the Launching Congregation. Prayerfully discern whether or not you are called to be part of the Launch Congregation. Contact Pastor Sherry, Mike Tooman (Worship Leader) or Bob Fuchs (Director of Discipleship) for more information.

·         Be a Worship “Missionary”.In the fall, we are calling on 20 – 30 people to be “missionaries” to the new worship service, attending that worship for 4 – 6 months.

I am giving thanks to God for what God has done for those who have made the 11:00 worship service their church home. It has been a special worship for many who have grown close to Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the many musicians who have faithfully led in worship over the years and I am thankful, especially, for the congregation members of 11:00 who continue to witness through their hope-filled presence.

God is doing great things at Brighton First.

11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service to End on May 22

After prayer and discussion, leaders of our church have determined that our current 11:00 worship service will close after Sunday worship on May 22. Summer will be a time of “reconfiguring” as we design a new band-led worship service that will begin at 11:00 am on Sunday, September 11.

Over the summer, the newly formed praise band and worship leaders will prepare for the new worship launch. There will be two preview worship services at 11:00 on Sunday, July 24 and August 21. Worshipers will experience the new style of worship and take part in evaluating the worship service for improvement.

Many have asked how they can assist in launching our new worship service:

·         Pray. Pray for the faithful members of 11:00 worship who will be joining the 9:30 am worship for the summer. Also, please hold the development of the new worship service in your prayers.

·         Be part of the Launching Congregation. Prayerfully discern whether or not you are called to be part of the Launch Congregation. Contact Pastor Sherry, Mike Tooman (Worship Leader) or Bob Fuchs (Director of Discipleship) for more information.

·         Be a Worship “Missionary”. In the fall, we are calling on 20 – 30 people to be “missionaries” to the new worship service, attending that worship for 4 – 6 months.

I am giving thanks to God for what God has done for those who have made the 11:00 worship service their church home. It has been a special worship for many who have grown close to Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the many musicians who have faithfully led in worship over the years and I am thankful, especially, for the congregation members of 11:00 who continue to witness through their hope-filled presence.

God is doing great things at Brighton First.

Worship Update, 11:00 Worship Goes "Blended"

Beginning in late November, the first Sunday in Advent, the 11:00 worship service changed from being lead by a praise band to a more traditional format. For most of the worship service, the format is much like the 8:00 and 9:30 worship services. They hymns, prayers and message are in the same order. From week to week, some hymns are different for the 11:00 worshipers because they are used to more contemporary songs and praise music. The music is either led with piano or through video.

Why the change? We have seen a continual decline in attendance at our 11:00 worship service over the years. Today the average attendance is 30-35. This is a prime time to grow a worship service and we are preparing to do that in the coming months.

Through Vital Church Initiative recommendations, Brighton First has committed to using the 11:00 worship time to begin a new format for worship. This will be led by a new worship leader, yet to be hired. The worship leader's responsibility will be to design a worship service that is relevant, compelling and inspirational. The worship leader will be in charge of all music for that worship service and recruiting and organizing the musicians needed for excellent worship.

At this point, we are planning that the new format of worship will launched in the fall or at Advent. It is not clear what form that worship will take, but we are making plans to support the service with marketing, excellent hospitality and children's ministry.

Please keep this transition in your prayers.

Worship Update, 11:00 Worship Goes "Blended"

Beginning in late November, the first Sunday in Advent, the 11:00 worship service changed from being lead by a praise band to a more traditional format. For most of the worship service, the format is much like the 8:00 and 9:30 worship services. They hymns, prayers and message are in the same order. From week to week, some hymns are different for the 11:00 worshipers because they are used to more contemporary songs and praise music. The music is either led with piano or through video.

Why the change? We have seen a continual decline in attendance at our 11:00 worship service over the years. Today the average attendance is 30-35. This is a prime time to grow a worship service and we are preparing to do that in the coming months.

Through Vital Church Initiative recommendations, Brighton First has committed to using the 11:00 worship time to begin a new format for worship. This will be led by a new worship leader, yet to be hired. The worship leader's responsibility will be to design a worship service that is relevant, compelling and inspirational. The worship leader will be in charge of all music for that worship service and recruiting and organizing the musicians needed for excellent worship.

At this point, we are planning that the new format of worship will launched in the fall or at Advent. It is not clear what form that worship will take, but we are making plans to support the service with marketing, excellent hospitality and children's ministry.

Please keep this transition in your prayers.

Brighton First Preparing to Hire Three Staff Members

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (the human resources committee) met on October 22 to discuss staffing needs at Brighton First. The committee has determined that three staff positions are needed and descriptions for those positions are now being developed.

First, Brighton First will be hiring a Director of Christian Education. The plan is for this position to be full-time. The person who takes this job will oversee our disciple development for both children and adults. This position has been created by the resignation of Children's Director Anne Walters and a voluntary reduction in hours by Rev. Loretta Job. It is the hope of the committee to have an employment notice posted by mid-November and a candidate hired for the position by January 1.

The congregation of Brighton First has directed the SPRC by their vote to accept the Vital Church Initiative Report to hire a worship leader for our third worship service. This person will develop a worship team of musicians and technicians and will lead worship at our 11:00 service. (Pastor Sherry will continue to preach at that service!). The position will be from 15 to 20 hours per week. The hope of the SPRC is to have this position posted in December and a candidate hired by mid-January. When a person is hired, he/she will work with the worship committee to determine a plan and timeline for developing a new model for the 11:00 worship service and launching it by December 2016.

The third position will combine a number of duties, including shared pastoral care responsibilities, teaching, worship design and preparation, as well as administrative work. While a title for this position has not been developed, the person in this role will function as an assistant to Pastor Sherry. The hope is to hire a candidate for this position in January.

Please keep this important work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee in prayer.

Brighton First Preparing to Hire Three Staff Members

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (the human resources committee) met on October 22 to discuss staffing needs at Brighton First. The committee has determined that three staff positions are needed and descriptions for those positions are now being developed.

First, Brighton First will be hiring a Director of Christian Education. The plan is for this position to be full-time. The person who takes this job will oversee our disciple development for both children and adults. This position has been created by the resignation of Children's Director Anne Walters and a voluntary reduction in hours by Rev. Loretta Job. It is the hope of the committee to have an employment notice posted by mid-November and a candidate hired for the position by January 1.

The congregation of Brighton First has directed the SPRC by their vote to accept the Vital Church Initiative Report to hire a worship leader for our third worship service. This person will develop a worship team of musicians and technicians and will lead worship at our 11:00 service. (Pastor Sherry will continue to preach at that service!). The position will be from 15 to 20 hours per week. The hope of the SPRC is to have this position posted in December and a candidate hired by mid-January. When a person is hired, he/she will work with the worship committee to determine a plan and timeline for developing a new model for the 11:00 worship service and launching it by December 2016.

The third position will combine a number of duties, including shared pastoral care responsibilities, teaching, worship design and preparation, as well as administrative work. While a title for this position has not been developed, the person in this role will function as an assistant to Pastor Sherry. The hope is to hire a candidate for this position in January.

Please keep this important work of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee in prayer.