Training Weekend Report

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Training Weekend Report

Training Weekend Report

Last night, 80 leaders gathered in the Quad for Life Groups:EQUIP training weekend. Rick Howerton, a small groups consultant, led a workshop on “Life Groups that Transform a City.” He challenged us to form groups with people who are uninvolved in anyone’s church. He said that we’ll find them in the various places, phases, and pursuits of life. In order to do this, we need to “look away from the church.” We’re so “overchurched” that we are “unrelational with lost people.”

We divided into 10 groups to discuss places and activities that unreached people do. We discussed how to befriend these people. Howerton said that our attitude must be, “You will never be my project; you will always be my friend.” Our motives are not “to go in order to convert “them.” He said “We go because we have been converted.” Why is that difference so important? As Christians, we have already been converted by the Holy Spirit. We go to befriend people and bear witness to Jesus. The Holy Spirit opens the doors to conversion. It’s as much about a lifestyle as it is a mindset and motive.

After Rick’s workshop, we formed two groups of people who were “curious about Life Groups” and “committed to Life Groups.” We discussed ways to begin new groups and planned next steps for groups that are already formed.

Howerton suggested, “As we turn away from the church, we begin to see the future church.” Today we continue that process reach people who are part of our future. On September 21, we commission these new Life Groups at First Baptist. If you’re interested in being a part of one, or would like to form a group, be sure to contact Josh Hall.