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Interest high in evangelism coaching
Paul Nickerson, Acting Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice, points to a map showing the 75 churches that have signed up to take part in evangelism coaching. November, 2001
Before a single letter of invitation was even sent, 75 churches had joined evangelism coaching cluster groups around the Massachusetts Conference by late November.
Paul Nickerson, Acting Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice, says the high interest in evangelism training proves that churches are thirsting for change.
“The way we are doing church isn’t working. People are asking ‘is there a better way?’ We are saying ‘yes there is – here it is,’” Nickerson said.
Interest in a new way of doing church began developing last spring, as more then 600 people attended seminars given by Tom Bandy, considered one of today’s leading authorities on church transformation.
First meetings of evangelism coaching cluster groups
To sign up for a group, contact Marlene Bryant or at 508-875-5233, ext. 230.Leominster Pilgrim Church Jan. 12 10:00AM
Ware United Church Jan. 15 6:30 PM Lexington Pilgrim Church Jan. 16 7:00 PM West Barnstable West Parish Jan. 16 7:00 PM Springfield South Church Jan. 17 7:00 PM Amherst First Church Jan. 17 7:00 PM North Andover Trinitarian Church Jan. 19 9:00 AM Natick First Congregational Jan. 22 7:30 PM Abington United Church of Christ Jan. 23 7:00 PM Topsfield Congregational Church Jan 28 7:00 PM Needham Congregational Church Jan 29 7:00 PM Norwood First Congregational TBA Berkshire Assoc. TBA TBA Bandy espouses a model for ministry that calls for minimizing the number of committees and meetings involved in church administration and instead emphasizing small group ministries.
Churches that join the 13 cluster groups will have a chance to learn more about Bandy’s model of ministry.
They will be led by teams of coaches who have undergone an intensive year-long training program that has included four training sessions, meetings with Bandy and continuous online training and discussion.
The coaches, who are clergy and lay leaders, received the training and materials at no charge in exchange for agreeing to lead the cluster groups in their areas.
Nickerson said churches that join these cluster groups will learn more about Bandy’s model, and about the incremental steps they can take to put it into practice. The cluster groups will also allow for mutual support among churches.
There is no charge for participating in the groups – costs are covered by Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support funds.
Nickerson said churches that participate will be able to go at their own pace, choosing those pieces of the model that will work for their congregations.
The coaches will work with their cluster groups throughout 2002.