The people you meet!

Training disciples at the AGM

Here I was, peacefully enjoying my trip on the train, when who should get on but Tim Gellert — and then a couple of stations later, Kim Kernich! We ended up having a lively conversation about how they had become so involved in ministry. … Well, actually, that is how the skit unfolded when we presented at the recent Annual General Meeting of St Paul's. The point of the skit, which included the track's gentle clickety-clack in the background, was the idea that discipleship is about following Jesus in our everyday lives — growing and learning through worship, Bible study, Christian fellowship and service, and then living it out in all our relationships.

The message seemed to get across — our small groups to discuss how each of us has grown as Jesus' disciples, and to think how St Paul's could support us in growing further, gave some wonderful feedback!

Many responses were deeply heartfelt, both in positive as well as critical directions. They encompassed the cry of parents of young adults, expressing sorrow their children now worship rarely and so are becoming less connected to St Paul's. It was felt that if their families had been involved in small groups and followed up more consistently in mentoring programs, then there may have been greater opportunity for their young adults to stay connected.

This affirms the need for strategic systems to ensure that we don't miss the opportunity to mentor all young people, young adults, and young Christians well, and ensure that young people and young adults have a sense of belonging. Discipleship ministry has a key focus on developing 'role and relationship' for our young people. Rollie Martinson said on his recent trip to Australia that each young person "needs three AAA adults around them — available, authentic and affirming". Our BibleSong, H2H, and SPY programs are striving to build these types of spiritual resilience and spiritual support structures into our children and young people. It is encouraging to read that many people wanted to see mentoring developed — and they suggested that ongoing training be offered for mentors.

Starter kits

Feedback also stressed the need for our prayerful covering of all ministry, and to train people in being confident in sharing their faith and provide them with resources such as a 'starter kit' of discussion topics to help people share their faith. Another often-mentioned matter was Bible study, with people expressing their gratitude for past experiences of Bible studies here at St Paul's. Perhaps this should be a focus of our small groups, with Bible study sessions being provided on Sunday mornings.

Some suggested that we form a register of skills and occupations to build relationships and connect people. An interesting idea was that small groups could volunteer to align with a chosen ministry area, and take a leadership role in that area. This could even be a way of inviting friends or relatives into the small groups.

Feedback also uncovered an enthusiasm to learn our servant profiles — finding out who God has called us to be, how He has gifted us to serve, how He is equipping us for ministry. There was encouragement for the strategic and intentional development of discipleship, so that members can be nurtured into ministry areas and leadership roles, without overburdening those who are already involved.

Yet others expressed pain — about feeling always on the fringe, not feeling invited and lacking connection to St Paul's in any holistic way. Many expressed a need for broader inclusiveness and building greater depth in our relationships with each other and with the newcomer. No-one should fall through the cracks — and in a place the size of St Paul's, we must continue to build on the good foundations we have in place to make sure this doesn't happen. It's vital to grow a sense of responsibility for one another in each of us — for this kind of care and responsibility is core to who we are as Jesus' disciples and members of St Paul's.

Progress

Be assured that work is already underway — and the future looks exciting! It was an honour to be invited to the Teens Encounter Christ Weekend on the first weekend in August, where we worked together to discover our servant profiles. At the small group leaders' Discipleship Training Day on Friday November 20, I spoke about small groups becoming "LIFE" groups — LIFE stands for:

• Learning together
• Involving/Inviting newcomers
• Fellowship and care for each other
• Equipping for ministry together.Gathering, growing, and going in Christ! Sound familiar?

Thanks

Thank you to all those who were involved in the discussion time at the AGM — your varied feedback is really valued. A team of representative people from various ministry areas is being formed into the Discipleship team, and together we will be working to develop strategic systems to implement many of these suggestions. We had our first meeting yesterday (Saturday December 5) — we would appreciate your prayerful support!

Each of us is God's work-in-progress, and the Discipleship team looks forward to working with you in order to transform your ideas into practical ministry amongst us!

Dania Ahern