Dear CBC community,
How I miss seeing all of you in person! I am thankful for Zoom given the restrictions of the pandemic but I dearly miss gathering together for worship, ministry, and service. Nevertheless, we are continuing to press forward and I wanted to give you a brief update on our discipleship plans as we begin this unusual fall semester.
Child discipleship: Rahel has been working with families and children online since March and is continuing to do an outstanding job despite the obstacles. Throughout the summer she has offered a program on Saturday afternoons but now as we begin the fall the children's discipleship program (Kids Club and GIG) will take place on Sunday mornings between 10:00 and 10:30. And we have added a short "Children's Corner" component to our 10:45 worship service to keep our children and families before the congregation for everyone's encouragement and sense of community. Children grow too fast to be out of sight from us! Rahel also leads us in prayer for our children and youth at the Thurday noon prayer meeting.
Youth discipleship: Likewise, Pastor Shtem has been reaching out to our youth since March and only took a short break at the end of the summer. This fall he is working on a plan to for the youth that includes a monthly large Zoom gathering and also smaller in-person meetings. The details are still being worked out as our youth settle into their unsettled school routines and we will keep you posted.
Adult discipleship: I have been involved since March in two new adult discipleship ministries. The first is our online prayer ministry. Praying together is a very practical means of discipleship as we grow by praying and listening to the prayers of others. The prayer ministry has also provided for leadership development as each session is led by a different person. We welcome anyone and everyone to pray with us whenever they can! We pray at noon Monday through Saturday; at 8:30 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; and at 10:00 am Sunday.
The second new ministry is learning how to reach out and disciple using the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) method. Pastor Shtem, Kim Thorburn, and I went through a five week training this summer and are offering that training to the church beginning in October.
We are also continuing with our adult discipleship groups but I have been slow to organize these because of the prayer and DBS ministries. However, there are still several group functioning and new groups will be formed whenever a person offers to facilitate/lead. Groups meet mostly online so the logistics are simple but leadership is still needed to make a group happen.
Finally, I am preaching this fall from the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel's message seems particularly relevant given what is happening in our society and world but, of course, God's word is always relevant and I hope that the Lord will also use these messages to "equip us for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17).
Online discipleship: I would be remiss not to include Karen's work, which includes administrating our Zoom meetings, editing and posting our services on our website, and promoting the church through the website and social media. Her work is essential in reaching out, and in supporting and promoting everything listed above!
Your discipleship: One thing about this fall that isn't different from any other - we need help in each of these areas of ministry. Please prayerfully consider how you might grow by serving this fall: "From Christ the whole body, joined and help together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:15).
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Dan