I love leading the New Members each year. It’s a great small group experience for those who are new to the Christian faith or at a place in their lives where they want to be baptized and/or profess their faith in church and take a public stand as followers of Jesus.
Each year at this time I wonder anxiously if anyone will attend. Like a host throwing a party and putting out invitations, I worry that people will have other priorities that will keep them away. And yet, each year people come.
What do we cover? We begin with some basic theology, introducing three central themes that every believer should know. The next session provides an overview of the church calendar that is followed by the church around the world. In the third week we learn to appreciate the Bible as a library with many books. In weeks four to seven we discuss historic Christianity, the Reformed world and life view, what the Christian Reformed Church believes, and, finally, everything you need to know about Hope Fellowship.
If this sounds heavy, don’t worry. It’s all presented in manageable bites and, like most teachers that I know, I love nothing more than a thought provoking question and a pertinent discussion. It is a small group, after all, and every small group worth its salt should make room for people’s thoughts, feelings and opinions.
This year the New Members class will be presented three times: in the fall, in the winter and in the spring. The next session will begin after the Thanksgiving weekend on Wednesday, October 10 (7-8 pm). The second session will begin on January 9 and the third opportunity to take the class will be given after March Break on March 20.
So what do you say? Will you spend some time with me this year talking about God, faith, the church and your own spiritual journey?
If your answer is “Yes,” please sign up at the Info Centre.
Each year at this time I wonder anxiously if anyone will attend. Like a host throwing a party and putting out invitations, I worry that people will have other priorities that will keep them away. And yet, each year people come.
What do we cover? We begin with some basic theology, introducing three central themes that every believer should know. The next session provides an overview of the church calendar that is followed by the church around the world. In the third week we learn to appreciate the Bible as a library with many books. In weeks four to seven we discuss historic Christianity, the Reformed world and life view, what the Christian Reformed Church believes, and, finally, everything you need to know about Hope Fellowship.
If this sounds heavy, don’t worry. It’s all presented in manageable bites and, like most teachers that I know, I love nothing more than a thought provoking question and a pertinent discussion. It is a small group, after all, and every small group worth its salt should make room for people’s thoughts, feelings and opinions.
This year the New Members class will be presented three times: in the fall, in the winter and in the spring. The next session will begin after the Thanksgiving weekend on Wednesday, October 10 (7-8 pm). The second session will begin on January 9 and the third opportunity to take the class will be given after March Break on March 20.
So what do you say? Will you spend some time with me this year talking about God, faith, the church and your own spiritual journey?
If your answer is “Yes,” please sign up at the Info Centre.
- Pastor Peter
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