2010 Lenten Study 2

The Purpose Driven Church: A Lenten Study

Part Two of The Purpose Driven Church  looks at becoming a Purpose Driven Church. The author looks at what drives your Church, the Foundations for a healthy Church, defining your purposes, organizing around your purposes and applying your purpose.

We have done some of this already at St. James _... defining purpose. Once that is done, however, it is important to communicate the purpose, organize around that and apply those purposes.

I encourage study groups to apply the relevant information to St. James. This week, I am asking the study groups to consider this question:

There are five kinds of Churches listed on page 122. After consideration, what kind of Church are we at St. James?

You may also want to consider the role of the pastor in answering this question.

Add your thoughts here for the other groups, or interested parishioners, to comment on, and develop a conversation.

2010 Lenten Study 1

The Purpose Driven Church: A Lenten Study

Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Ministries and the author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life. Pastor Warren wrote his books to guide the reader towards significant ways to bring about change in a Church’s life without compromising its message or mission.

Saddleback was started when Warren and his family packed what little they owned and moved from Texas to southern California. God led Rick and his wife, Kay, to Saddleback Valley and the amazing adventure began. The first members of the Church were the Real Estate agent’s family, and they never looked back. The first Easter service was held April 6, 1980 with 205 people. For many years, the community met without a permanent building. After 15 years, the Church grew to 10,000 attenders. Today, the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, is one of American’s largest congregations.

This book has a lot to teach us about Church Growth. Reading  this book together, we will discover a five part strategy for Church Growth:

• Warmer through fellowship

• Deeper through Discipleship

• Stronger through worship

• Broader through ministry

• Larger through evangelism

Each week, St. James will look at one question that comes directly from the book. We will read the book in Church House Groups or as individuals over the five weeks of Lent and Holy Week. Once the study is complete, we will gather as a large group to discuss our learnings and share them with the congregation. The book costs $20 and anyone is welcome. Contact the office at 888-3489 for further details.

Interested people are to meet at the parish Hall, Tuesday, February 16 after/during the Pancake supper for the complete information and to create the study groups.

The question I would ask you to consider for week 1, based on Part One to page 47:

"What are the myths about Church Growth that apply to St. James?"

Add your thoughts here for the other groups, or interested parishioners, to comment on, and develop a conversation.

2010 Lenten Study Announcement

The Lenten season is almost upon us. You are invited to the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, and I am hoping those connected with study can be there. At that time, I will outline the study.

The book we are studying is The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren. The question I would ask you to consider for week 1:

"What are the myths about Church Growth that apply to St. James?"

Church house groups or individuals will read Part One to page 47 and discuss the question. Each week, there will be a new question to consider until the book is complete. The questions will also appear in the Parish Blog. At the end of the study, we will meet as a large group again and hear back about what we have learned.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to join with me Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in a meditation upon the Stations of the Cross found in our windows.

You will notice the crosses are covered through Lent. This is deliberate. If you feel uncomfortable,  it is the right effect. For Jesus, the cross was not a sign of glory. It was an instrument of death that applied to Him and all criminals of His day. Covering the cross gives us the attitude of reflection needed for this solemn season.

I encourage you all to walk with me in the footsteps of our Lord through Holy Week and Easter!

Father Murray

Internet Anyone?

I would just like to know how many of our parishioners visit our website and for what purpose, and how often:

• Do you check our calendar for events and times? or do you just look at the ‘important dates’ page?
• Do you read Father Murray’s sermons?
• Do you come to the site fairly frequently (more than once a week or so) or just occasionally to see what’s been going on?
• How about the Music Ministry pages, have you looked at those videos?
• Have you checked out any of the links? know of another link to add?
• Have you visited (or are you a regular visitor) Happy Mike’s own website?
• Anything you would like to add?

Is there anything else you would like to see here? Any suggestions for changes/improvements?

Thank you

Elizabeth