Why Journey Groups Are Worth It

• Journey groups are messy. Really messy.
• Journey groups are a logistical hassle. Meeting in homes only adds to the chaos.
• Journey groups require lots of leaders.
• Journey groups need constant attention and maintenance.
• In short…Journey groups are a BIG pain.

BUT…
Journey groups are totally worth it.

Here are 4 reasons why we think Journey groups are a big deal.

Journey groups help make invisible students visible
I a couple who had 2 kids in our other student ministry – one of them is going to spend their lives being the center of attention and the other is probably going to enjoy contributing on occasion but usually just fading into the background and allowing someone else to take center stage. Journey groups put every student in a position to contribute and be challenged. A church that only gathers in the large group setting is encouraging only the faithful, vocal few to truly participate…others may attend, but very few participate. Journey groups help make the typically invisible student a little more visible.

Journey groups make any size church feel like home
It really doesn’t matter how big our youth ministry is – it is going to feel unwelcoming or even cold to some degree to an outsider. But when a student is invited into a Journey group… with only a handful of others it begins to feel warmer and more inviting. Personally, I love Journey groups in homes because this helps them feel even warmer.

Journey groups create a youth pastor minor league
We want to turn regular men and women into great youth workers! I asked a couple in Dothan to take a Journey Group and I asked them to try a few seasons in Journey groups as teachers. I was really amazed at how their hearts and love for the student ministry grew and how much they grew spiritually! They grew so much that when I told them it was time for them to rotate off; they threatened me with my life if I did so!!! I have stated this many times…this ministry is not mine! It belongs to all of us and this provides opportunities for lots and lots of youth pastors within one ministry.

Journey groups produce Godly students
OK, this one isn’t guaranteed, but a Journey group environment does allow a great leader to be placed over, care for and disciple a handful of students. You can rest a little easier when a student gets connected in a Journey group – because you know they have a much better chance of their faith sticking because of the relationships that have been set in motion.

Please contact Rodney about being involved in Journey groups or any other student ministry activity or project! WE NEED YOU!!!

Life Groups? What is this all about?

There has been some questions on why we have changed the name of Sunday School! Well, I wanted to take the time and let everyone know why and where we are headed!

Why are we changing the name from Sunday School to Life Groups?

It is important to realize that Sunday schools were originally literally schools: they were places where poor children could learn to read. The Sunday school movement began in Britain in the 1780s. The Industrial Revolution had resulted in many children spending all week long working in factories. Many children worked up to 12 hours per day and even on Saturdays. Sunday, therefore, was the only available time for these children to gain some education.

The English Anglican evangelical Robert Raikes (1725-1811) was the key promoter of the movement. It soon spread to America as well. Denominations and non-denominational organizations caught the vision and energetically began to create Sunday schools. Within decades, the movement had become extremely popular. By the mid-19th century, Sunday school attendance was a near universal aspect of childhood. Even parents who did not regularly attend church themselves generally insisted that their children go to Sunday school.

Sunday school has fallen on hard times recently. At FBC, we have been in a decline in Sunday School attendance since 1987. If we continue this trend, Sunday School will be gone in the next 10 to 20 years.

The phrase “Sunday School” and even “bible study” does not ring well with the lost or seeking world. To them, it is a deterrent in coming to church. It has a negative effect on them. Not to mention, the Sunday School of today is not the same as it was when it was founded or introduced in America in the 19th century. So it is time to make a change. Our culture has changed. The gospel message will never change, but how we present it must!

Why Life Groups?

Doing life together is a key component of the Christian life. We need a group of other believers who can encourage and spiritually challenge us. We need folks who will walk with us as we experience life, grow spiritually, serve others, and live out our Christian faith.
We all agree that being a Christian is a relationship, not a religious exercise. If we really believe it, then everything we do in church ministry should revolve around growing our relationships–with each other and with God. Life Groups can help us do just that and reach other people!

How?

We do it like Jesus did. We start with the Bible and use creative activities to help people experience God’s Word and apply it to life. We fellowship outside of the church with as a group from time to time. We serve others as a group in our community. We grow and do LIFE TOGETHER!

You see, Sunday School, as you know it by, has never left, we have just changed the name to bring it into our setting of today to make it relevant again and to take away a barrier to those who are seeking to find truth…REAL TRUTH in their lives.

People do life together every day. At work. At school. On the baseball fields. At Wal-Mart…so let’s start doing life together where it really matters….in our church.

If you have questions or would like to visit with me on this, please feel free to contact me at the church office or on my cell at 573-717-5260. You can also email me at rodney@fbckennett.com.

Thanks for your service to our Lord and King. May He receive all the glory and honor!

In His Grip,
Rodney Rogers
Education/Student Pastor
FBC Kennett