Look what's happening in home group!

[Dave]

I just got home from our weekly home friendship group. We had dinner together, a wonderful time of worship, and an excellent time of sharing. One member had brought an issue to the group about a year ago, and the entire group gave her counsel about how she might want to handle the situation. But she chose to ignore all that and do what she thought best (which was certainly her prerogative). Well, it has been a genuine catastrophe for her, costing her a lot more money than it would have a year ago. All this is horrible, but the good part is that she has learned through experience that in the multitude of counselors there is safety. The group was very kind and non-judgmental toward her, but she admitted she should have listened to what her friends who love her had to say. Anyway, this was all very good and we had a very edifying meeting tonight.

Be blessed,
Bro. Dave

[ddc101]

Bro.Dave,
What materials do you use for after care and discipling? sis.c

[Dave]

Ddc,

We teach the Pathfinders Bible Study, which I believe you have. We also have a New Life Course I put together which covers basic doctrine and the essentials of living for God (prayer, praise, Bible study, the church, etc.). We also work hard to get people connected and involved, largely by getting them in a home group. I believe the keys are getting them filled up with basic doctrine, the basics of spiritual life, and strong connection to the body within the first six months. It doesn't matter that much what curriculum you use as long as it is biblically sound.

Hope that helps.
Bro. Dave

[ddc101]

Yes and I love Pathfinders.In fact whenever someone asks me about it I put in a good word.Do you have this new converts study on your site? I have In my Fathers House but it is so old and very light for the times in which we live.lv sis.c

[Dave]

Sis. Dana,

I haven't published my New Life Course yet. It's been kind of a work-in-progress for several years now and I just haven't ever felt satified with it. I change it a little each time I teach it. But since several people have asked about it recently, I guess that means I need to wrap it up. I have now placed it on my official to-do list. I'll let you know as soon as I have it ready and you can be the first to take a look at it.

God bless,
Bro. Dave

[ddc101]

Thanks Bro.Dave.Pathfinders really did bless me.lv sis.c

[intheblood]

Where can I preveiw this pathfinder study and/or get it?
I teach Search For Truth which is so old and long most people get bored and quit half way through. I also teach Into His Marvelous Light which is very good to open the door with and The New Birth Experience, which is good for new converts to get them started on basic doctrines. I am trying to write my own but its a slow go. :) I am interested in checking out any new complete studies ya'll may know of, thanks ahead of time. :)
Bro. Jimmie

[Jim]

intheblood,

The Pathfinders Bible Study is published by Rosh Pinnah Publishing. The study comes with a set of teaching tapes designed to equip to teach of the study. Each lesson is discussed in detail on the audio tapes as is the overall purpose and structure of the study and building relationships with those you are teaching.

You can order the study by sending a note to Dave Huston:

DAHuston@aol.com


God bless,

Jim

www.GloriousChurch.com

www.RoshPinnah.com

[bill]

Bro Jim/Bro Dave,

I am starting a new church and I'm going about it a little differently. Instead of starting up services right off bat, I am working toward beginning a fellowship cell group type of ministry on Tuesday evening. Currently we are not having any services on Sunday at this time. I do have a small group, between 5 an10 people, who will be joining us in our cell group.

Since I am not in a position where I can move to this town yet, (I live almost 30 miles away now), and realistically I won't be able to move for at least 6 to 8 months, I am looking into renting a small room in the local library. The cost is cheap, and since the town is small (about 10,000 people) everyone knows where the room is, so the location is great.

As with most home mission churches, the people we have, some of them are saved and some of them aren't yet. In fact, we have a few who don't even have a clue about baptism in Jesus Name yet. It's a really big mix of saved and unsaved folks, so I have a lot of doctrinal foundation to lay.

My plan is to establish a cell group, grow it to about 15 people, while encouraging everyone to come and be a part of our mother church, located about 25 miles away. Unfortunately, the long drive will be an obsticle, getting people to drive that long distance. But once we reach 15 in our cell group, we would begin services.

My question is, will a small group type of ministry be best for the group that we have? Will it work effectively not being held in a home? What type of material would you suggest that I teach and where can I purchase this material at? What are the obsticles of doing a small group ministry with people who are not saved? (we do have one other couple that is apostolic though)

ANY suggestions or advice you may have is MUCH appreciated.

Be blessed

[cinthia]

Hi all I just wanted to share that last week in our home group we had a lady to get the Holy Ghost, it was so awesome to have someone get the Holy Ghost in our home. She has been coming for over a year and sporadically to church, and I might add she never missed a home group! She was so exicted! She was crying and fearful and when she got the Holy Ghost she was laughing and could not stop smiling, she said she felt like something lifted off of her, no doubt, it was fear! Praise God! Our God is doing Great things!

[Joan]

My husband and I just had a really great home group meeting this past weekend right in our own home. We had two other couples come over for dinner, praise, prayer, testimony, and study of The Word. We involve the children because we're going to be discussing family related issues like parenting and topics like that. Since all the "grown-ups" are parents, we're going to help eachother through study of the Word, other good resources, and our experiences to encourage the right Biblical training for our children. The women have agreed that we want to use this time to help eachother be more pleasing to God through our ministry as wives and mothers. We can learn from eachother and will pray for eachother. One of the sister's requested prayer for herself and her son because they had sickness in their bodies. We laid hands on her (women laying hands on the women and men laying hands on the men). I spoke with her the next day and the Lord had touched her and her son and they were both feeling fine.

We are so very excited because two of the men whom we wondered how transparent they'd be about the condition of their walk with God was, just opened right up. There was no condemnation, or putting down, it was very encouraging.

The book of Acts talks about house ministry. I've been a part of it before where we used to live and now the Lord has opened up the door to do it again. There is so much more that could be said for this past weekend's meeting, but I won't carry on here. God bless.

[Landmark Laf]

My pastor, Rick Langford, went to the country of El Salvador to conduct a Home Friendship Groups seminar to their leaders. Every pastor in the country was in attendance during the seminar. After the seminar, they made the decision to launch this ministry country-wide, every church well become an HFG church. The vote was unanimous.

In May, over 50 of those pastors are traveling, by bus, to Landmark Lafayette. Although, most of them speak only Spanish, we will be hosting Home Friendship Groups throughout Lafayette and surrounding areas for them. It will be an amazing experience.

We are also having to put them all in hotels, so send us your money. (Don't really do that)

Just thought I'd share.

[ddc101]

My pastor, Rick Langford, went to the country of El Salvador to conduct a Home Friendship Groups seminar to their leaders. Every pastor in the country was in attendance during the seminar. After the seminar, they made the decision to launch this ministry country-wide, every church well become an HFG church. The vote was unanimous.

In May, over 50 of those pastors are traveling, by bus, to Landmark Lafayette. Although, most of them speak only Spanish, we will be hosting Home Friendship Groups throughout Lafayette and surrounding areas for them. It will be an amazing experience.

We are also having to put them all in hotels, so send us your money. (Don't really do that)

Just thought I'd share.


Brother Matt,
I have a good idea about that.Since these pastors won't have transportation how about getting folks to loan their campers or motor home and setting them up outside the church? I am sure there is a brother who can run the electric lines.Those pastors being spainish like to pray lots and that would give them good sanctuary access.Instead of thousands of dollars for motel rooms and transportation it would only run in the hundreds.
Another thing that may be possible is a good deal from that Sunaire or whatever its name is hotel down on the Scott Hwy.I believe that is the name of it.I don't know if they are even in business anymore but possibly they might rent for a cheap deal.Believe me whatever it would accomodate would be much better than the living conditions in El Salvador.lv sis.c

[ddc101]

Sis. Dana,

I haven't published my New Life Course yet. It's been kind of a work-in-progress for several years now and I just haven't ever felt satified with it. I change it a little each time I teach it. But since several people have asked about it recently, I guess that means I need to wrap it up. I have now placed it on my official to-do list. I'll let you know as soon as I have it ready and you can be the first to take a look at it.

God bless,
Bro. Dave

uh hum....Dave.....how about that New Life Course? lv sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Sis C.,

I will give them that recommendation. And yes, they do like to pray and pray hard. We have hosted many of their pastors, but not so many at one time. Right now, I believe we are trying to negotiate with Hampton Inn, we already have a special discount account with them that we use for guest ministers often. If that falls through, I think the El Sal Pastors requested that a few be able to stay in host homes, even though they speak different languages, to try to experience our culture... but who knows...

[ddc101]

Sis C.,

I will give them that recommendation. And yes, they do like to pray and pray hard. We have hosted many of their pastors, but not so many at one time. Right now, I believe we are trying to negotiate with Hampton Inn, we already have a special discount account with them that we use for guest ministers often. If that falls through, I think the El Sal Pastors requested that a few be able to stay in host homes, even though they speak different languages, to try to experience our culture... but who knows...

Matt boy its time to peddle that pentecostal blessing...peanut brittle.Just put it on the web site and down load paypal....lol...lv sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Haha...peanut brittle...we haven't done that in years...

Fundraising won't be a problem, our church is the most giving church I know of. Luckily, we have a guy in our church who is the mastermind behind fundraisers. We have multiple $20,000+ fundraisers. For that reason, we can have marriage seminars like the one you attended and not worry about profit (we were under by thousands). Hope you liked it, will like the book, and hope your guests enjoyed it... I hear by some of the comments he made, it seems he was quite relaxed... haha :eek:

Me out...

[BrotherBallard]

Bro. Matt,
Please share with us the fundraisers that gross 20K plus! We are looking for ideas to raise funds for our young people.

In His Name!!!


Haha...peanut brittle...we haven't done that in years...

Fundraising won't be a problem, our church is the most giving church I know of. Luckily, we have a guy in our church who is the mastermind behind fundraisers. We have multiple $20,000+ fundraisers. For that reason, we can have marriage seminars like the one you attended and not worry about profit (we were under by thousands). Hope you liked it, will like the book, and hope your guests enjoyed it... I hear by some of the comments he made, it seems he was quite relaxed... haha :eek:

Me out...

[Landmark Laf]

Bro. Ballard,

One of our most successful fundraisers is a month long gift wrap booth in our mall for Christmas (Thanksgiving to Christmas). We raise about $20,000 every year with the booth, worked entirely by volunteers (from Landmark).

We also have a Christian version of a fair in property by our church. Big rides and games, of course no alcohol or bingo or anything like that. This year, we are expecting about 300,000+ people to attend the fair, I don't have the dates yet.

We also have a group of guys in our church who makes bids on houses that need painting and repairs, they donate all of the money to the church. The individual projects can go really high, I think they have one lined up for almost 5 or 6 thousand.

To help raise money, we organized into groups. First off, we seperated the ladies and the men. Then we went further and divided those groups into smaller groups. I'll tell you about the mens. We seperated into two teams, S.W.A.T. and Team Success, in an effort to raise money for a gymnasium. Each team then assigned smaller tasks to individual people in the group. In 4 months, each men's team has raised over $35,000.

Hope some of that gave you some ideas...

[ddc101]

Haha...peanut brittle...we haven't done that in years...

Fundraising won't be a problem, our church is the most giving church I know of. Luckily, we have a guy in our church who is the mastermind behind fundraisers. We have multiple $20,000+ fundraisers. For that reason, we can have marriage seminars like the one you attended and not worry about profit (we were under by thousands). Hope you liked it, will like the book, and hope your guests enjoyed it... I hear by some of the comments he made, it seems he was quite relaxed... haha :eek:

Me out...


Relaxed...because there were no pews to hide under we had to sit there and endure the comment!!!!....btw his wife was so embarassed.But on a higher note , she received the Holy Ghost at Sunday night service.That is part of my care group from Forked Island.I also got to attend one of you guys care groups last night...Debbie Atkins.She is a great christian person.It was lots of fun.I loved her dad.Send us a date on the fair.My husband wants to do that here.There is a catholic school that does it and makes big bucks since this is a hick town.lv sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Relaxed...because there were no pews to hide under we had to sit there and endure the comment!!!!....btw his wife was so embarassed.But on a higher note , she received the Holy Ghost at Sunday night service.That is part of my care group from Forked Island.I also got to attend one of you guys care groups last night...Debbie Atkins.She is a great christian person.It was lots of fun.I loved her dad.Send us a date on the fair.My husband wants to do that here.There is a catholic school that does it and makes big bucks since this is a hick town.lv sis.c
hahahaha.... At least it was at a place and a time where everyone was relaxed and level-headed.... well, maybe not level-headed.... haha

His 'comment' is popular among jokes around here, he surely left an impression on everyone!!!

hahaha

[ddc101]

Brother Matt,
I am glad everyone is laughing.I was too red faced for that.He told us some funny stuff in the car on the way up.We had to change the subject.He needs the Holy Ghost before I commit murder.....lv sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Whoa, murder...haha

Good luck with that one...

[ddc101]

Brother Matt,
Did you meet my friend Charlene yet? I was so proud of her when she left dressed for church tonight.She is starting to dress like your mama.lv sis.c

[Seventyx7]

Bro Matt, is this Home friendship meeting in May just for pastors or for anyone? if it's open to the public when will it be? We are a home missions church struggling right now. Our attendance last year was about 46 on Easter and now it is only about 20. We need help!!!! We are a store front church and we know that it hurts us but, we can't at this time afford anything else. We've had to cut one service on Sunday because of the cost of running the church for we don't have enough tithes and offerings coming in plus no people. Which half just about is the Pastors. Any new ideas would be greatly appreciated. I realize we must have change. This world is not like it was years ago with people wanting to go to church. They are busy and don't want to be bothered. So, we must come up with new ideas when it comes to our witnessing tools and trying to be sucessful in growing a church. Let me hear more about this group and any other things that might help us. The sucess stories are encouraging to me!!

[Landmark Laf]

Seventyx7,

The thing in May is for the Spanish-speaking pastors of El Salvador.

We, however, have discovered that large HFG seminars are not as effective as 1-on-1 seminars. If you call our office at 337.232.3974, Debbie, our secretary, will be glad to schedule a 1 or 2 day meeting with our pastor. Typically, pastors prefer to come on a Tuesday or Wednesday, spend the day with Pastor Langford, go to a cell meeting that night, then spend the next day with the Pastor and a few others to gain all the knowledge possible. If you do this, we will have a whole bunch of material available for you when you arrive, from edifications to videos to songs, all kinds of stuff...

You can also e-mail Debbie at secretary@landmarklafayette.com, but I recommend calling the church during business hours.

Matt

[PCH]

I am really considering starting a home group - we already have a church- and it seems to be failing miserbly - we just have no personal contact with the people....Can someone tell me how to go about this - What the format should be... I read the first post that talked about food, worship and the like ....... That sounds pretty good........Help me out if you can..THANKS

[Landmark Laf]

PCH,

The type of Home Friendship Groups we use are best started after visiting a church that uses the similar or exact format, as this will eliminate a certain creativity within the ministry that so often seems to be its demise.

You are always welcome to visit Landmark Lafayette, but I'm sure there are successful HFG churches closer to Illinois. The first church to use our form of HFGs is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Parkway Apostolic, www.pac1.org (http://www.pac1.org))

[PCH]

Are there not any materials of things of that nature that describe the process or give more insight to how it all works? How it should be set up and things of that nature?

[Landmark Laf]

Absolutely! We have all possible information available. You can get seminar syllabi, HFG books, leadership lessons, edifications, cell forms, section forms, zone forms, and the list goes on much to long to list here.

You can order them for a very good price from our bookstore. Just call 337.232.3974 and talk to our secretary (Debbie). She can get you everything you need, and if we don't have it in stock, she can tell you who does. She's like superwoman. Or something.

[Joan]

Matt, Parkway Apostolic got its HFG format from your church? You started HFG's before Parkway? Have you ever read the book called the Missing Half of the Church?

[Landmark Laf]

No no no...they were the first to use HFGs...Parkway was the first.

We are tied for second... A church in California and Landmark Lafayette (my church) started them immediately after the first seminar offered by Parkway.

[ddc101]

Brother Matt,
Brother Tommy Tenny had cell groups out of his church that were an exact replica of what your church is doing.They just weren't popular in the UPC back then.I know he is no longer UPC but we do have to give him credit.The reason most did not use them back then is that they were afraid the charismatic element would enter in.We were a part of that church back then and the care groups were very successful.In fact your own Dion Melcheck (may have spelled it wrong),Felix Miller and Sister Evans son Tony were all very involved in care groups in that church.lv sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Care groups are very different from HFGs. Dion Mliczek, Felix Miller, and Tony Evans did do care groups, and had some success in them, but the exact format we use was created by Anthony Tamel and staff in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Parkway Apostolic). The label "Home Friendship Groups" ad well as the popular circular logo with the house is copyrighted by them. I know the actual theory behind the groups was not conceived of by Bro. Tamel, in fact it was first used by the Disciples in the Book of Acts.

Just in case you were wondering, Dion Mliczek and Felix Miller still attend our church. Tony Evans has since moved to Church Point after being pastor of Tommy Tenney's old church. Just to make sure, I just called Jared Howell (Bro. T.F. Tenney's personal assistant) and asked him what groups his son used in Lafayette. Bro. Tenney said it wasn't a replica of what we used, but it was vaguely similar. It pays to have connections! I am eating lunch with Bro. Tenney, Jared, and my dad one day this week, I'll see if I can bring the topic up.

[ddc101]

Brother Matt,
Honestly I was a part of that and it was the same.I went to one of your care groups.Sadly one of the best leaders that attended Faith Temple is going to a trini church now.His name was Bro.Rameriz.Bro.TT does a lot of things most apostolic deem unkosher but one thing is for sure he did have home groups going on.The charismatic groups have had these things going on for years with success.The Korean AOG church pastored by Rev.Cho I believe his name is has done this for years and is one of the largest AOG churches in the world.Its not about who is doing it and who did it first its that it is a concept that works.It provides fellowship.I say we can give credit where credit is due. sis.c

[Landmark Laf]

Sis. C,

To verify my side, I called Jared again, but this time I spoke to Bro. T.F. Tenney. He said he is almost certain that what he said earlier was correct, but he'll talk to his son later on in the week and ask him.

I also talked to my dad and Anthony Tamel (Parkway Apostolic). They both said that, yes, Charismatic churches have had small groups for decades, but they reiterated my point. Bro. Tamel said that he and a small group from his church, a few years ago, fasted and prayed for a few days before having a "brainstorm session" where they formed the structure of the individual group and of the leadership. Now, here is where it gets a little tricky. Parkway Apostolic has had HFGs for quite a while, and that time span covers the time that Tommy Tenney pastored in Lafayette. It is possible that, if he did use the exact structure and format, he received his information from Parkway somehow.

As for as organized churches go (UPCI, ALJC), the charismatic movement was the first to practice SMALL GROUPS, CARE GROUPS, and some other form that I cannot remember. But, as far as the exact leadership and cell structure of HFGs, Parkway Apostolic was the first. By exact, I mean exact.

I agree we should give credit where credit is due. This credit belongs to Jesus Christ and his disciples.

[ddc101]

Amen Brother Matt.
Honestly Bro.TG Tenny is very talented in discipleship and church structure.I have gone to much larger assemblies...1000 and up and not seen the leadership training structure done as concise.We felt the Lord led us there to learn a few things in this area.God bless you.Have a great camp.lv sis.c

[estrada1]

Greetings In The Name Above All Names, My Wife and I have started a home missions fellowship group. We also are starting with about four famalies. We are just laying the foundation and some have been baptized and some havent. We continue to pray for these people and teach the word to them. Awsome!!! GLORY!