By the Rev. Rob Goodridge
“Remembering for the Sake of Our Future,” the history documentary that was screened at diocesan convention is now online at: https://vimeo.com/122162007 Please copy and paste this link in your browser to view it.
Please feel free to share this link with your members.
The leaders guides for vestry/congregational and new comer/enquirer classes are below. If you need a higher resolution copy, please send your request to Fr. Rob Goodridge at rob@robgoodridge.com He will send a link to the Congregational Development Dropbox folder, where you can download the file and play it from you computer.
I pray that this presentation will be a blessing to you and your congregations.
Warmly in Christ,
Rev. Rob Goodridge+
Remembering For the Sake of Our Future: Suggestions for Newcomers Meetings & Inquirers’ Classes
This is a guide intended to help stimulate ideas and conversation. Feel free to use it with modifications and changes as you see fit. Newcomers are not constrained by the status quo and can be great resources for innovation.
They often bring in creative ideas, new approaches for old ideas, and better methods of implementation from their experiences in other churches, other cities, other denominations and other secular work and family experiences. They can be a treasure trove of freshness.
Discussing mission with them at this early stage of engagement is a powerful way to embrace their passions. Gather in all ideas like they were brand new. The concept here is to be an idea generator and the facilitator should encourage the flow of ideas, no matter how unusual they may seem.
Avoid statements like: “We’ve tried that before,” or “We don’t do that here,” or we are already doing that now,” should be avoided. Make it an “anything goes” brain storming session.
Prayer for the Mission of the Church
Ever-living God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
After watching the video, recount your own church’s missional efforts through history.
Point out the marks that your parish has left on your community.
Address efforts that you currently support. Ask them what other efforts we could explore.
Ask what ministries they have engaged in the past. Ask about their specific roles in those ministries.
Ask you they feel about working together with other churches.
Ask about which age groups they feel most comfortable serving.
Ask for their favorite mission opportunities they’ve witness / participated?
Ask them to engage in at lease one mission of the church and be prepared to disseminate contact. info for leaders of those ministries.
Follow up by contacting those leaders.
Prayer for the Parish
Almighty and ever-living God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Remembering For the Sake of Our Future Suggestions for Congregational Meetings And Vestry Retreats This is a guide intended to help stimulate ideas and conversation. Feel free to use it with modifications and changes as you see fit.
The history of mission work of our diocese can be a great starting point for exploring the call to mission for your own congregation. The video is not a “do it like this” order, but rather a starting point for discernment of the mission work already underway, and an opportunity to reflect on successes and evaluation.
Prayer for the Mission of the Church Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
After watching the video, recount the missional efforts of your church through history.
Create a time line or a list of accomplishments on a white board/flip chart
How have these efforts benefitted parishioners and to the community?
Take 10-15 minutes to create a timeline / listing.
What are the best things that we’ve done?
Should we continue supporting these missions?
If so, how can we improve them?
Should we maintain, expand or end these missions? Why?
What can we do to engage more of our parishioners in this effort?
What fresh missional needs have surfaced in our church… in our community?
How should we prioritize these opportunities?
How soon can they be implemented?
Which members are gifted in the required skills for their success?
What other congregations / organizations might be willing to partner in mission?
Prayer for the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.