By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator
As previously mentioned, the 4 Es – engage, equip, empower, encourage – provide an intentional process to guide the development of the priesthood of all believers for participation in Jesus’ ministry.
So where do we start? Engage is the first of the 4 Es for a reason. The process of development begins where all good things begin – in relationship. Engage is all about relationship. Through purposeful engagement with one another, we grow in Christ-centered relationships and community. It is within such relationships that we begin to recognize what God is doing in the life of another. We see that God has given one person a gift of teaching, another with hospitality, and another still with... Read the article
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This month's Church Hack demonstrates the importance of developing an annual church calendar and budget to ensure that the congregation’s resources, time, and money are being invested in alignment with the church’s mission and values.
Follow this link to read the full Church Hack:
2023-CH4-Planning-Budgeting.pdf (gci.org) Read the article
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The importance of debriefing after a Love Avenue event.
By Ceeja Malmkar, Love Avenue Champion, Grace Communion Surrey Hills, OK
I’ve enjoyed event planning for as long as I can remember. As Jesus drew me back into church and ministry, that passion never changed. In fact, it opened a whole new world of ministry for all of us in a little church in Oklahoma.
As a Pioneer/Connecter, I love to bring people together, and I love to think outside the box. I have been blessed with an amazing Love Avenue team who are diverse, unique, and full of passion. What started as a neighborhood camp and a water balloon battle has flourished into six big events we plan throughout the year (one every other month). I cannot begin to explain how... Read the article
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The Holy Spirit came as wind and fire, symbols that help us focus on God. Included in this article is a spiritual practice using one of these symbols.
By Justine Paolo G. Parcasio, Associate Pastor, Philippines
Pentecost is part of the Christian Worship (Liturgical) Calendar. This year, it is celebrated on May 28, 2023, and is a celebration that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, which is 50 days after Easter Sunday. The name "Pentecost" comes from the Greek word pentekoste, which means "fiftieth."
The celebration of Pentecost can also commemorate the birth of the church, as it was the day when the disciples followed... Read the article
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Pentecost reminds us of our true identity as the children of God and brought us into a new community as the body of Christ.
By Bill Hall, National Director, Canada
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Saskatchewan Homelessness Conference. For two days I listened to presenters talking about the causes of homelessness and what is being done to address the plague of homelessness.
I was again reminded that homelessness is the symptom of many issues. That any one of us could find ourselves in the same situation given our life circumstance. Or as one speaker said, “When life life’s us.” Many times, addictions cause homelessness. Yet, there is always something behind those addictions. People don’t just wake up some... Read the article
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Easter Sunday is the most attended church service every year. It is also a great opportunity to invite those who don’t normally attend to visit your church. Check out the March Church Hack and consider using our linked Easter icons and imagery to make your Easter service last beyond the Hope Avenue experience on Sunday. #gcichurchhacks
2023-CH3-Easter.pdf (gci.org)
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Adapted and paraphrased from Living the Christian Year, by Bobby Gross.
Palm/Passion Sunday – This is a week to follow Jesus and vicariously enter in his suffering. Imagine laying your coat in the road before him as a sign of honor and respect. Wave your palm branch over him as you worship and shout Hosanna, which is from Psalm 118:25: “Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success.” Then join him as he stops and weeps over Jerusalem (Luke19:28-44). Joyfully welcome Jesus’ presence in your life and join him as he laments over the pain and suffering those in the city will face.
Maundy Thursday – Whether you meet as a group or not, this is a day to reflect on Jesus’ example of servant-leadership. Am I leading and serving as he did?... Read the article
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Healthy leaders lead to healthy church, which leads to healthy leaders.
What might the 4 Es look like in GCI. Check this link for more information.
Engage: recognize & recruit
As pastors/leaders, we create an environment of recruiting and invitation. This is proactive.
We do this by modeling a pattern of recognizing and inviting others into life with Christ and participating in the ministries of the church.
As leaders, we keep in mind the diversity of giftings and skillsets while recruiting developing ministry opportunities. We are intentional to find ways to involve all members in some way.
As leaders, we must be sensitive to the work and calling of the Spirit in the life of others. As we recognize the gifting in others... Read the article
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As with all things in ministry and mission, context matters.
By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator
In college I had the opportunity to study abroad in London, UK. My first night there I asked a waitress “where is the bathroom?” After a few strange moments, someone in my group kindly translated for me and asked, “where is the toilet?” Apparently in London, I had just asked where the bathtub was. Context matters.
Not only is development a process, but it is highly contextual. The GCI Process of Development tool is not a one-size-fits-all formula for developing disciples for ministry participation. It is a tool that must be contextualized because, for development to be effective, context matters. Otherwise, we might find... Read the article
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This is the first of a series of articles on the process of development that discusses the 4 Es of Engage, Equip, Empower and Encourage.
By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator
What do you think about when you hear the word “development”? What examples come to mind? How would you describe them?
One of the images that comes to mind for me is film development. When I was growing up, disposable cameras were a popular way for kids to document fun activities like summer camps and field trips. I loved taking my disposable cameras to the pharmacy photo center for the film to be developed. I would return a few days later and pick up my fully developed photos! It was a fast and simple process.
I wonder if too often we treat the... Read the article
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