For the community group outreach, there is a sense in which we have been training all our Christian lives. We share and teach out of who we are in Christ every time we interact with the intention of “gospelizing” one another (believers and unbelievers). The “gospel-centered life” material is straight forward, and the “prayer and planning” meetings provide opportunity to ask questions and gain encouragement for the the mission. Taking a role in the mission also creates a “need” for ongoing informal discipleship with one another where we spur one another onward as we seek to minister to others with the gospel.

Evangelism Article
Comment
Read it…and it makes a good point - you need relationships, if you want people to open up to the truth of the Gospel

IDSC Winter Seminar
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I prefer the Fri night/Saturday option – and would suggest Feb 15/16, if only because the sooner you speak on these topics, the better off we are all are. Are you thinking this would be just you teaching – or are you thinking of involving Fellowship Baptist (Marvin?) in some way? Are thinking of doing it at Sutherland Hall or in a private home?

Values
Comment
Lots of good questions on Values – and tough ones to answer. This looks like a topic we should be chewing through at one of our prayer and planning sessions.

Prayer and Planning
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I am in favour of more regular interaction, but I wonder if one/month is too much? Why not every 2nd months to get a better gap between actions and outcomes?

The Mission
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Julie made a good comment – maybe we first need to go through the material – before opening it up. It may be optimistic to hope for 5 groups….doesn’t it depend on actually how many people we can get to attend?? Re ‘sell the vision’ – something about that word ‘sell’ that bothers You don’t sell a vision to unbelievers – most of the time you just try to excite them to look into these matters of truth. As for believers that may be inclined to attend this kind of 9 week session, it may be that we find them aligned, but not necessarily working within our small fellowship.

No Sunday morning gatherings for January, February, or March
Comment
More good questions, and yes of course we should be thinking about all these things on a 24/7 basis. But, we are a little group, and so it seems we need our Sundays – that one day of the week at least where we can (or should) say there is no other responsibility. Also, our little ‘band of believers’ usually does not interact all week, if for no other practical reason of being in different locations and/or life circumstances.

If/when we have functioning community group studies etc going on; maybe we could say that there is better evidence of a mission in action.

Wild Bill Heads West
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Sounds like a good plan – look forward to it.

Christmas is For-giving
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I’m having trouble finding someone who will say yes. I reminded my friend Johnny X – who now says he is away that weekend

In-Depth Studies Canada winter seminar - either weekend works for us- I may need to be in Victoria with my parents - but no plans as of yet. I am thinking the Fri/Sat format might keep us more focused on the task at hand.

“Only the gospel can move us to choices the world considers radical… where we make intentional – gospel-driven - choices for the sake of the mission upon which Jesus has sent us, and for which He has equipped and empowered us by His Spirit.” AMEN!

Regarding our 5 community groups in the New Year. I feel that this is a foundational but huge undertaking which needs preparation if we are going to be effective leaders in our group. I fully agree that this is the heart of the church-planting mission. But if we are to “sell” the vision to others, we need to be well equipped to do that. We need to be grounded in what that vision is and right now I am not sure we have that vision clearly articulated and then solidly in our hearts as well as our heads.

Re No Sunday morning gatherings for January, February, or March. Good questions…and I am afraid the answers to your questions are not very positive. The reality is we need scheduled time together and Sundays are the most convenient given the way the world tends to operate. I need Sunday morning to grow - I need a lot of other stuff too like time in the Word and prayer - but I need Sunday mornings too.

Can we plan some sort of lunch on Sunday when Bill is here? David and I were away last time he visited and so have not had opportunity to meet him.
Blessings!
Julie