The February Equipper focuses on renewal in our smallest congregations (we call them fellowship groups). The five articles in this issue are linked below. Enjoy! - Ted Johnston, Equipper editor From Greg: Operating from abundance, not scarcity What is a fellowship group? Faithtalk Equipper: resources for fellowship groups by Randy Bloom Sermon summary: Jesus in the Dark by Lance McKinnon Preaching from the lectionary by Sam Butler Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders: [caption id="attachment_21" align="alignright" width="150"] Greg and Susan Williams[/caption] During our 2015 end-of-year CAD team meeting we broke into groups to list our strengths and challenges, and to identify objectives for 2016. Though good ideas emerged, I noticed the challenges getting the most attention in ways that almost were threatening to become the focus of our planning. I say “almost” because in one of those Holy Spirit “aha moments” we agreed we should focus on our strengths, not our challenges. That shift changed how our plan for this year took shape. There’s an important principle here that I think applies to the planning you do within your congregation. I believe we... Read the article
Recently, Greg Williams emailed all GCI-USA primary pastoral leaders to notify them that CAD has published a new version of the Church Administration Manual, which defines three types of GCI-USA congregations: non-chartered fellowship groups, chartered fellowship groups, and chartered churches. The two fellowship group types apply to congregations averaging less than 15 people in worship service attendance. The manual describes how fellowship groups are structured and alternative ways for them to operate depending on their sense of mission/vision, available resources, needs and preferences. For additional information about fellowship groups, click here to download the August 2015 issue of Equipper. Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, I’m excited about 2016, in part because I recently received the best Christmas present ever—the birth of Emory Grace Williams, my first grandchild. I’m also excited because we serve a great God who declares that he is "making all things new” (Revelation 21:5 ESV). In doing so, he assures us that his “compassions,” which are “new every morning,” truly “never fail” (Lamentations 3:22-23). [caption id="attachment_136" align="aligncenter" width="244"] Meeting my granddaughter[/caption] With confidence in God and reliance on his faithfulness, I’m pleased to announce that Year of Renewal is the GCI-USA theme for 2016. As you turn your calendars forward, I encourage you to focus... Read the article
