CONNECTING WITH GOD
HOW CAN I MAKE A CONNECTION WITH GOD?
How can you make a connection? Oops… You might be surprised, it’s just the other way around. You matter so much to God, He is in search of you to make a connection with you. Try out that thought for a minute. God’s in search of you, lovingly…hope-givingly.
Jesus said: I’m the good shepherd…I have come that you might have life—life in all its fullness…I lay down my life for the sheep. The Gospel of John, ch. 10
HOW CAN I MAKE MY CONNECTION WITH GOD STRONGER?
Open yourself to God through fearlessness, prayer, transparency (no
hiding any more), a new story, new friends, a life mission, a fresh
decision.
Jesus said: I am the vine, you are the branches…without me you can do nothing… The Gospel of John, ch. 15
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE…
-Put yourself in situations that open you up to God.
-Immerse yourself in Scripture—the Bible. It’s okay to wade in at first; the “water” gets deep real quick!
-Get in a small group for prayer, servant action, learning, sharing your story.
-Worship with other Christians and be real.
Jesus said: …whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The Gospel of John, ch. 4
P.a.L.S. GROUPS & P.a.L.S. GROUP LEADER TRAINING
Though
we’re a small church Grace Church is catching on to a vision of being a
community of smaller communities. Small groups are a big deal! We want
to be a church of small groups rather than a church with small groups.
There’s a difference.
We are created in God’s image and designed for relationships at the very core of our being, first with Him and also with others. In relationships, we give and receive a taste of God’s love, His goodness, and His character. Yet, because of our brokenness, those same relationships can bring hurt, pain, and suffering. Through small groups at Grace, we learn how to love God and neighbor with our whole self.
P.a.L.S. Groups are about spiritual formation. Small groups are given many names in churches: cell groups, prayer bands, covenant or accountability groups, nurture groups, community groups, neighborhood groups, etc. At Grace we call them by the things these groups do. We call them P.a.L.S. Groups. The acronym? Participants pray together, take mission or ministry action together, learn so as to grow in Christian wisdom for life and mission, and participants share their lives together like a family. It is the genius of close-knit, family-sized communities that people’s lives really change. Outside of large group services at Grace, the primary place where we learn to worship our God and love in smaller communities is through our P.a.L.S. Groups. If you look at the other tactics in the array for adult spiritual formation, each one is similar to a P.a.L.S. group.
P.a.L.S. Groups are about mission, ministry, and innovation. Our vision is that P.a.L.S. Groups will be the way all kinds of creative new ministries and mission actions will emerge to extend the mission of Grace Church in ways that are aligned with our “DNA.” Instead of programs being dictated from the “top” by leadership of the church, we believe these innovative actions can and should grow out of our “DNA” and the shared life of prayer, learning, and sharing that happens in every P.a.L.S. Group. Creative new mission actions can take the shape of hands on outward mission: evangelism and witness, mission trips, outreach to international students at UNA, outreach to the homeless, to youth, children…wherever God’s Spirit prompts a group to do something. There is much to do to model the ways of Christ’s loving reign. There are places to go near and far, there are things to do great and small.
These innovations can also take the shape of ministries within the church: Bible studies, book clubs, classes, retreats, men’s or women’s events, singles events, outdoor activities, etc. If you have an idea, start praying and sharing your idea with others in your P.a.L.S. Group. Out of the atmosphere of prayer, learning, and sharing, actions like these will be discerned. When God raises up a few others to join you in the vision, let your P.a.L.S. Group leader know. If the vision is one that might include church-wide participation contact someone on the leadership team for support, direction, interpretation, and visibility. You have unique gifts to bless others and we want to release you to use them!
WEDNESDAY MEAL & MINISTRY NIGHT
Most
Wednesdays of the year (September through May) we gather together for a
meal at 6:00 p.m. and small group time at 6:45 p.m. Opportunities are
offered for learning, prayer, Bible study, or book study following the
fellowship meal. Some P.a.L.S. Groups may follow up the Wednesday
fellowship meal and meet together at the school for their learning,
sharing, and praying. There are ministries for children, including
GraceKids Chorus, and student ministry. Sometimes the whole church is
called together for worship, prayer, Bible study, learning, or other
matters that might concern the whole body. The Wednesday Meal &
Ministry Nights conclude in May with a cook out at St. Florian Park.
GRACE PARTNERSHIP SERIES (G.P.S.)
Where do you want to go? How do you want to get there? Get a map.
Membership at Grace Church is not about “membership.” Okay, maybe
we’re mincing words. But words are loaded with meaning and
imagery. In volunteer, associational North America too often
“membership” means “club,” privileges, and perks (e.g. free use of a
fellowship hall, no charge for your son or daughter to be married in
the sanctuary). Instead, membership is a three-way “partnership”
with You, Jesus Christ, and Grace Church. It’s a partnership for
the development of your spiritual life, for the discovery of your
spiritual gifts, and discovery of God’s purpose for your life.
Membership is partnership; it’s partnership for spiritual formation and
kingdom mission.
This group is offered as needed—however often it takes to orient believers new and old—to the vision, mission, core beliefs and values of Grace Church. Following the G.P.S. experience, participants are urged to map out a plan for a life-long journey in spiritual formation and mission.
G.P.S. Themes: The Grace Church Story • Our “DNA”: Mission, Vision, Core Beliefs, Core Values • “Disciple-Making Church” • “Missional Church” • The 3-Way Partnership • Mapping a Journey for Adult Spiritual Formation
COMMON CONNECTIONS
Someone at Grace is always doing something interesting. Common interests can lead to new friendships, spiritual growth, and companionship in the adventure of following Jesus. Ever wonder who might have come under the spell of God's love just by hanging out with Jesus in the wood working shed or with Paul mending tents? Good things happen on account of common connections. We’re presently compiling our considerable list of “common connections.”
Activity-Interest When & Where Contact Name Contact e-mail address
LEADER CONTACTS