Several thoughts and ideas were shared during the last Village Leaders’ Meeting. And we sensed that it would be great to make some changes in our house church ministry to reflect what was shared. These are the changes we will make starting from January 2015.
House church shepherds’ meetings
As of now, our shepherds meet every Wednesday from 7:15 to 9PM except on the first Wednesday when we have House of Prayer and on the last Wednesday of even months when shepherds’ wives meet with my wife for a time of sharing, encouragement and prayer. Beginning next year, however, shepherds will meet monthly on the third Wednesday of every month, from 7 to 9PM.
Ever since we started house church ministry in July 1999, shepherds have always met together with me every Wednesday for a time of learning, sharing and prayer. But now, we have come to a point where our house church ministry is well established and going well. Furthermore, mentoring can be done in a deeper way when meeting by village, which is made up of 4 to 8 house churches. With more free Wednesday evenings, I am excited about how our shepherds will use their time with their families, house church members, VIPs or other shepherds from their own village.
Village meetings
We have ten villages in our church as of now. These villages meet once every two months, on the last Sunday of odd months for a time of fellowship, sharing, mentoring and prayer. During the last Village Leaders’ Meeting, one village leader’s wife shared that it would be nice for me to take turns visiting each village so that there can be a time of fellowship with me and my wife and also Q & A in regards to house church ministry. I thought it was a good idea. So, beginning next year, my wife and I will visit each village one at a time.
Towns and Town Meetings
We all realized that our Village Leaders’ Meeting was getting too crowded with ten village leaders, their spouses and children. Therefore, we have decided to multiply our ten villages into two groups, calling them towns. This means we will now have town leaders. Their main responsibilities for now will be to set up their town meetings every two months on the last Sunday of even months and facilitate the meeting for a time of fellowship, sharing and prayer. My wife and I will visit each town, one at a time.
Shepherds’ wives’ meetings
A lot of house church ministry is being done by and through shepherds’ wives. Therefore, it is very important for the wives to gather together to fellowship, share, be mentored by and pray with each other. My wife always comes home very charged and excited after this meeting. This meeting will continue to take place on the last Wednesday of even months from 7 to 9PM.
Fall Retreat
We just had our fall retreat and it was a great time of blessing for everyone who was able to participate. We all love and enjoy Camp Allen but we have outgrown the place. We set the record for being the biggest group that Camp Allen has ever served at one time. This is a praise report! However, we can’t have a church-wide fall retreat at Camp Allen any longer if our number continues to increase. Please pray for God’s wisdom to be upon our leaders so they can come up with a very good decision for the church.
It is exciting to think about all these changes that will take place in 2015. God is certainly blessing New Life for His kingdom purpose. Let’s continue to be humble before Him, pray persistently, obey faithfully and serve sacrificially. God will do great things through us!
Your pastor,
Eric
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