- Worksheets and homework
- Adult teachers need to be better prepared. Most classes do not have opportunities for participation.
- Encourage individual participation
- New class for kids in upper elementary age. More people willing to teach
- All classes end on schedule
- More participation
- Better prepared teachers. More teacher meetings. Bigger work room.
- More teachers. Guidance to ensure quality teaching. Shadowing/helping. Unannounced visits from elders/experienced teachers quarterly to provide feedback. Written feedback form for the students so that parents are aware of child’s development.
- More studies in NT.
- Hold a class to prepare teachers for the upcoming quarter and discuss teaching ideas/tools.
- More inspirational
- Three children’s classes a week are too many. Perhaps a Sunday night assembly with everyone in auditorium. Quizzes.
- More teacher training. Training on use of work room. More teachers.
- More options and variety.
- New and fresh speakers
- More teachers to give other teachers a break.
- Teens: More active participation. Interaction with teens from other congregations.
- Improve adult students
- Kids classes: three year through the Bible is cumbersome. Topical studies at older levels.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Survey Results: Subjects You Want More Preaching On
- Living a pure life. Practical not just theoretical. Marriage vs. living together
- Home and family
- Daily Christian living. Good works. Practical subjects
- More practical application
- Modern problems
- Sex
- Jeff: series on Fruit of the Spirit/works of the flesh and other text based lessons. David: contemporary issues as applied to Bible principles.
- Steps on being saved. Steps on improving Christian life.
- Bible basics
- All subjects even hard ones. More variety.
- Service to one another. Christian interaction. Call each other by name.
- Walking in the light with every day application. What to avoid. What to do properly. More on what it means to be part of the body. Serving others.
- Everyday Christian living. How to become a leader of the church (men and women)
- “was” and “am” as it pertains to who we were and who we now are. Self evaluation: Lord I was a will full sinner now I am your forgiven child.
- Christ, Love, Gospel.
- God’s love. Christian encouragement.
- Humanism. Relativity of Christian life on current life and times.
- No more comments about Homosexuals or America’s ruin or lack of school prayer or the like. Jeff’s sermon on Porn. was good, we need more stuff like that.
- Prioritizing personal life. Mentoring from older to younger Christians. Practical lessons in connecting with people from a different walk of life (race, age, etc.)
- Home and family
- Daily Christian living. Good works. Practical subjects
- More practical application
- Modern problems
- Sex
- Jeff: series on Fruit of the Spirit/works of the flesh and other text based lessons. David: contemporary issues as applied to Bible principles.
- Steps on being saved. Steps on improving Christian life.
- Bible basics
- All subjects even hard ones. More variety.
- Service to one another. Christian interaction. Call each other by name.
- Walking in the light with every day application. What to avoid. What to do properly. More on what it means to be part of the body. Serving others.
- Everyday Christian living. How to become a leader of the church (men and women)
- “was” and “am” as it pertains to who we were and who we now are. Self evaluation: Lord I was a will full sinner now I am your forgiven child.
- Christ, Love, Gospel.
- God’s love. Christian encouragement.
- Humanism. Relativity of Christian life on current life and times.
- No more comments about Homosexuals or America’s ruin or lack of school prayer or the like. Jeff’s sermon on Porn. was good, we need more stuff like that.
- Prioritizing personal life. Mentoring from older to younger Christians. Practical lessons in connecting with people from a different walk of life (race, age, etc.)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Survey Results: Areas the Congregation is Doing Well
These are the responses to the question, "In what areas is the congregation doing well?"
- Friendliness
- Good teachers, lots of classes
- Improved singing. Members are tolerant and friendly.
- Accepting of new (different) individuals. Good prayers. Good Bible study.
- Very loving, helpful, hospitable congregation. Excellent teachers. Good teaching program.
- Love and concern for all.
- Faithfulness
- Close knit group. Bible classes and preaching good. Welcoming to visitors.
- Friendliness
- Caring for those members in need
- Not being judgmental
- Open friendly atmosphere
- Love and caring for each other
- Good work with international students.
- Loving and caring for each other. Opening homes up for studies, showers, etc. Love the diversity of cultures. Welcoming visitors. Singing. Willingness to serve elderly. Excellent adult class teachers.
- Welcoming to visitors (should be more welcoming to each other)
- All
- Supporting brethren in times of need. Handle disputes effectively. Eldership is strong.
- Very close knit family that cares for each other deeply.
- Love the family feel of the congregation.
- Basic teaching. Worship. Fellowship. Finances. Adult classes.
- Most everything.
- Plenty of conversation before and after services. On track with personal work and in home Bible studies.
- Friendliness
- Good teachers, lots of classes
- Improved singing. Members are tolerant and friendly.
- Accepting of new (different) individuals. Good prayers. Good Bible study.
- Very loving, helpful, hospitable congregation. Excellent teachers. Good teaching program.
- Love and concern for all.
- Faithfulness
- Close knit group. Bible classes and preaching good. Welcoming to visitors.
- Friendliness
- Caring for those members in need
- Not being judgmental
- Open friendly atmosphere
- Love and caring for each other
- Good work with international students.
- Loving and caring for each other. Opening homes up for studies, showers, etc. Love the diversity of cultures. Welcoming visitors. Singing. Willingness to serve elderly. Excellent adult class teachers.
- Welcoming to visitors (should be more welcoming to each other)
- All
- Supporting brethren in times of need. Handle disputes effectively. Eldership is strong.
- Very close knit family that cares for each other deeply.
- Love the family feel of the congregation.
- Basic teaching. Worship. Fellowship. Finances. Adult classes.
- Most everything.
- Plenty of conversation before and after services. On track with personal work and in home Bible studies.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Shepherds
Zechariah 11:16 describes the work of a Shepherd over his flock of people…
- Visit those who are about to perish
- Seek those who are straying away
- Heal the wounded
- Feed the sound
Visit Those Who are About to Perish
Elders should care for those elderly members in the congregation who have lived a long life in service to the Lord. Generally, they are at a point in their lives where their health is failing and much of their time is spent going to see doctors and taking medications. Additionally, many are widows who must bear the problems of life without a loved one to help and support them. Elders must lead the way in caring for the elderly in the congregation and motivate others to help.
Seek Those Who are Straying Away
Some versions render this, “Look after the young”. Older sheep learn to stay in the safety of the flock. They have been conditioned to be flock animals. It is usually the younger ones who stray whether it be in a flock or in a church. It would be difficult to even try to “drive” an older member from the congregation the young however are occasionally looking for something new and exciting. Elders need to recognize this and not let the young stray too far. They must be “herded” back and encouraged to develop good assembly habits.
Heal the Wounded
Sin has a “wounding” effect on us. Left untreated we can become spiritual cripples, maimed by unresolved sin. Elders need to be on the look out for behaviors that are not Christ-like and not be afraid of addressing those behaviors. Sin can cripple us but it doesn’t have to. God’s wonderful grace can make that wound go away so there is not even a scar left. Elders are a part of that healing process.
Feed the Sound
Proper nutrition prevents a lot of illnesses. Those who are “sound” need to be nourished so they can continue their growth as a Christian. Left unnourished and unchallenged the sound can become weak and lackadaisical in their spiritual responsibilities. When the sound are nourished properly they too can help the “perishing”, the “straying” and the “wounded”.
Elders have a responsibility to everyone in the congregation. They must recognize each person’s special needs. The goal is to present spiritually healthy and unblemished sheep to the Father. The reward will be great.
- Visit those who are about to perish
- Seek those who are straying away
- Heal the wounded
- Feed the sound
Visit Those Who are About to Perish
Elders should care for those elderly members in the congregation who have lived a long life in service to the Lord. Generally, they are at a point in their lives where their health is failing and much of their time is spent going to see doctors and taking medications. Additionally, many are widows who must bear the problems of life without a loved one to help and support them. Elders must lead the way in caring for the elderly in the congregation and motivate others to help.
Seek Those Who are Straying Away
Some versions render this, “Look after the young”. Older sheep learn to stay in the safety of the flock. They have been conditioned to be flock animals. It is usually the younger ones who stray whether it be in a flock or in a church. It would be difficult to even try to “drive” an older member from the congregation the young however are occasionally looking for something new and exciting. Elders need to recognize this and not let the young stray too far. They must be “herded” back and encouraged to develop good assembly habits.
Heal the Wounded
Sin has a “wounding” effect on us. Left untreated we can become spiritual cripples, maimed by unresolved sin. Elders need to be on the look out for behaviors that are not Christ-like and not be afraid of addressing those behaviors. Sin can cripple us but it doesn’t have to. God’s wonderful grace can make that wound go away so there is not even a scar left. Elders are a part of that healing process.
Feed the Sound
Proper nutrition prevents a lot of illnesses. Those who are “sound” need to be nourished so they can continue their growth as a Christian. Left unnourished and unchallenged the sound can become weak and lackadaisical in their spiritual responsibilities. When the sound are nourished properly they too can help the “perishing”, the “straying” and the “wounded”.
Elders have a responsibility to everyone in the congregation. They must recognize each person’s special needs. The goal is to present spiritually healthy and unblemished sheep to the Father. The reward will be great.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
My Goals for Parkway in 2012
In no particular order...
1. More congregational picnics and Potlucks
2. Congregational Chats. On Sunday nights have Elders visit with the congregation (quarterly)
3. Focus on home Bible studies with non-members
4. Build a strong community of young adults/college students
5. Provide teaching opportunities for young men who have an interest in teaching.
6. More members involved in volunteer social organizations… Child Protective Services, Big Brother/Big Sister, etc.
7. Vacation Bible Schools in Apartment Complexes and Trailer Parks.
8. Bigger foot print at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi
9. Class to learn and practice songs (monthly)
10. First Wednesday services that are well thought out and inspirational.
11. One Gospel meeting per year on personal evangelism
12. Amazing Gospel meetings
13. An active and updated Website.
14. Song leaders who don’t lead new songs on Sunday mornings.
15. More services in the courtyard
16. Information packet for visitors
17. Add new songs to supplemental song book
1. More congregational picnics and Potlucks
2. Congregational Chats. On Sunday nights have Elders visit with the congregation (quarterly)
3. Focus on home Bible studies with non-members
4. Build a strong community of young adults/college students
5. Provide teaching opportunities for young men who have an interest in teaching.
6. More members involved in volunteer social organizations… Child Protective Services, Big Brother/Big Sister, etc.
7. Vacation Bible Schools in Apartment Complexes and Trailer Parks.
8. Bigger foot print at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi
9. Class to learn and practice songs (monthly)
10. First Wednesday services that are well thought out and inspirational.
11. One Gospel meeting per year on personal evangelism
12. Amazing Gospel meetings
13. An active and updated Website.
14. Song leaders who don’t lead new songs on Sunday mornings.
15. More services in the courtyard
16. Information packet for visitors
17. Add new songs to supplemental song book
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Few Thoughts on Sharing God’s Word with Other People
- It is God’s Word that converts people to Christ. It’s not me or you… it is God.
- What you teach depends on who you are teaching. Are you teaching an Atheist? Then you need to teach about the existence of God. Are you teaching a Christian who is following a false system of belief? Then teach New Testament doctrines. Are you teaching someone who is morally bankrupt? Focus on what the Bible teaches about how we should live and what Jesus does for us.
- What is my objective as a teacher? It is not to vanquish or overwhelm someone with biblical superiority. It is not to get them to switch churches. My objective as a teacher should be to teach God’s Word and build faith in God.
- As a teacher I should live a righteous, unselfish life. I should have a comprehensive knowledge of the scriptures. I must be intellectually honest and not be dogmatic and opinionated about questionable things. I must come to understand and know my student and I must be a learner. I must strive to be effective.
- Who can I teach? Those who are looking for spiritual help. Those who have an obvious need for spiritual help but are not looking for it.
- As a planter of God’s Word I am not responsible for the outcome… God is. But still I can learn to be an effective, opportunistic teacher.
- The age of working miracles to get peoples attention is over. We live in an age where the only miracle people will witness is the miracle of a godly life in an increasingly morally bankrupt society. That miracle is an attention getter and will create opportunities to teach.
- What you teach depends on who you are teaching. Are you teaching an Atheist? Then you need to teach about the existence of God. Are you teaching a Christian who is following a false system of belief? Then teach New Testament doctrines. Are you teaching someone who is morally bankrupt? Focus on what the Bible teaches about how we should live and what Jesus does for us.
- What is my objective as a teacher? It is not to vanquish or overwhelm someone with biblical superiority. It is not to get them to switch churches. My objective as a teacher should be to teach God’s Word and build faith in God.
- As a teacher I should live a righteous, unselfish life. I should have a comprehensive knowledge of the scriptures. I must be intellectually honest and not be dogmatic and opinionated about questionable things. I must come to understand and know my student and I must be a learner. I must strive to be effective.
- Who can I teach? Those who are looking for spiritual help. Those who have an obvious need for spiritual help but are not looking for it.
- As a planter of God’s Word I am not responsible for the outcome… God is. But still I can learn to be an effective, opportunistic teacher.
- The age of working miracles to get peoples attention is over. We live in an age where the only miracle people will witness is the miracle of a godly life in an increasingly morally bankrupt society. That miracle is an attention getter and will create opportunities to teach.
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