AG round-up

Summary of September 9^th Round-up meeting

Last meeting, instead of doing our normal chapter study in Romans, we examined ourselves as a group to see what we are doing well and what we need to improve on. Everyone had a chance to share their past experiences with AG, and offered both encouragement and suggestions to make it better. It was really great to hear all of the positive things that have come out of AG. People shared mostly of building real relationships and learning about God as the things they enjoyed the most. In particular, the group really likes eating meals together, the shared leading of the chapter study, the two retreats we had, and the extra events such as bowling and baseball games. It was said that this group is a catalyst for real relationships to develop outside of AG.

There were also items that we discussed that we felt we could do better in. Prayer was an element of the group that we decided needed improvement. Small groups outside of our regular AG meetings need to be established as well. Also, the group currently lacks a way of effectively communicating needs that people might have to the group, so that the group could help them resolve those needs. Another common observation is that the group is lacking outreach type events.

Out of the discussion about what the group does well, and what it needs to improve on, we identified four attributes that the AG group should display in some capacity: Fellowship, Edification, Evangelism and Service. Fellowship and Edification were areas where we were doing well, but the group felt that Evangelism and Service could be significantly improved. Briefly, we identified some concrete ideas to help the group exhibit these four attributes.

1. Fellowship

1 John 1:1-4 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

Even though fellowship was seen as an area where the group has been successful, because the group is growing, some changes need to be made. First, the space that we currently meet in is too small to hold everybody in the group. Second, even if everyone in the group was able to fit in one space, the ability for everyone to participate would be significantly diminished. In a way, the need for space has already been met, with the Medrow’s offering their house for us to meet in. The next meeting on September 23 will be held there. It is large enough for all of us to meet together to eat, and for us to split the discussion group. Thanks Dave and Nancy for meeting that need. The second need is to identify two facilitators for the discussion. Tom Truman has volunteered to facilitate Romans 10 for one of the discussion groups. We are still looking for someone else to volunteer to facilitate Romans 10 for the second discussion group.

The AG also needs to be a place where small groups (size 2-5 people) outside our regular meeting times are established. Andy Newberry has stepped up to the plate and has become the SPAN (Small-group Pusher, Andy Newberry). However, be aware that there is also SPSA (Small-group Pusher, Sandi Andrews). Talk to either SPAN or SPSA if you want to be in small group.

2. Edification

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So far, the group has been studying the book of Romans. In order for all members of the group to be able to participate in the discussion, the discussion groups need to stay small (I’m thinking less than 15 per group). This need is linked to the needs discussed in relation to fellowship. Another suggestion was that the AG host more learning conferences and retreats. Michelle Andrews has already stepped up to this challenge by putting together a communication conference with Dr. Deborah Hunsinger from Princeton Seminary. If you are a person that has ever had any kind of relationship with any other person (meaning everybody), you should be at this conference. Contact Michelle Andrews for more info.

3. Evangelism

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This is not an area that we have been pursuing in the same way as fellowship and edification. However, events like the baseball game organized by Chris and Meghan certainly could fall under this category. As a group, we decided that we need to be more intentional about this area of ministry. Some specific examples were as simple as taking responsibility to welcome and get to know new people on Sundays rather than hanging out with people we already know. I think as a group we could do this very easily, but we have to be intentional about it. It is our entire tendency to talk to the same people we have always talked to. Another suggestion is to have more parties (yeah). Some suggestions were a chili cook-off or other types of general events where people would feel comfortable in a friendly atmosphere. If this is going to happen, we would need people within the group to lead those events like the way the Lu’s lead the bowling event, and the way Megan and Chris led the baseball game event.

4. Service

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

This is also an area that has not yet been a major focus of the group, but there were many good suggestions to change this. The first and most obvious one the group identified was group prayer requests. Someone yet needs to be identified who will collect prayer requests from the group so the group knows what specific things it can pray for. Another idea was to have a service contact person. This person would serve as a confidential (if needed) liaison between the AG and the person in need. In this way, our group can start to meet financial or other material needs of people in our community (I use this term in its broadest sense). For example, as a group we could decide to sponsor a local family in need or to sponsor foreign orphans. These are all great ideas, but it will take someone to devote a few minutes a week to it in order to make it happen.

Clearly, we had a big brain storming session in which we identified key areas that the AG ministry can improve. I would suggest that our goal would be that in 1 year from now, we should be able to look back at our group and see qualities of fellowship, evangelism, edification and service. While we are returning to the normal chapter study on September 23, I would encourage everyone to keep thinking and praying about the AG ministry, and how we can accomplish all of the things that God has set before us.

I will be traveling until Oct. 5, so Amanda Agresti will be taking over email duties while I am at sea. Stay tuned for her emails describing the upcoming meetings.