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FELLOWSHIP FOR THE SAKE
OF RELATIONSHIP:
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(Directors, I suggest
you print this weekly report for your workers, especially this particular article.)
Directors, leaders, helpers
and servers - beware! If we do not fellowship with our students,
we will not have a relationship with them. Fellowship is learning
to enjoy God by joining with His people and spending time with them.
Fellowship with other believers is an essential ingredient of victory.
(You can read more about fellowship in the book Battleship: Eight Ships that Shape your Ship "Shipshape!")
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Below are just a few of the MANY ways
we have designed "in the framework of your daily life and RU ministry"
for you to engage in both individual and corportate fellowship between
RU leadership and followship:
First, we encourage you to
arrive as leaders 15 minutes before class. This is a wonderful
opportunity to not only greet new students, but to engage in conversation
with your current students. Talk about their week and how glad
you are to see them. Ask them questions and show that you truly are
interested in their lives.
Secondly, sit with your students!
Don't get caught sitting alone or with the same student each week.
If you sit with your spouse, invite students to sit with you! Occassionally,
you and your spouse may even sit apart in order that you each may minister
and fellowship with your students. Many of your students come
on Friday night to spend time with YOU!
Second talk should always
be focused on following the itinerary, but in so doing, make sure you
announce church fellowship opportunities. Mention the service
times and available Bible studies, outreach programs, prayer meetings,
etc. Let your students know that they are welcome to come!
Many times we make the mistake of assuming that they already know this,
but guess what??? They don't! A personal invitation will go
a long way! Often, students are not even aware of all the activities
that occur during the week. Make a special effort to inform them
of all opportunities to fellowship with other believers.
During the third talk, make
it your practice to sit with different students. This not only
prevents the feelings of jealousy, but also shows them that you consider
them as important. It is easy to "get in a rut" and always
sit in the same location, next to the same people; but many times, we
are neglecting a student who really needs our attention. Go out
of your way to get out of the rut!
Attend Happy Hour (at least
for a short time) every single week. This is an extended time
for Christian counsel or fellowship that is similar to dessert after
the main meal...it is something that you don't want to miss!
This is a special time of sweet fellowship after God has just spoken
to their hearts. It doesn't have to last an Hour, but
it does have to be Happy!
Implement the new ministry
of prayer we in Rockford refer to as "Last Call". Last Call is the
Last chance of the night to Call upon the Lord
on behalf of your class. In Rockford, after everyone is dismissed, there
are several men who attend Happy Hour for a few minutes, talk to a few
students, and then meet at the altar to spend some time in prayer for
our class.
Implement the Hang Over ministry
at least once per month. (The Hang Over ministry is for those
who like to Hang out after class is Over.)
Those who want to participate meet at a local restaurant after class
for food and fellowship. In Rockford, there are usually between
30-50 people who attend. We meet at a local 24-hour diner.
(When we first started this ministry, we contacted them to confirm we
could bring a large group each Friday.) As a director, I often offer
to buy the meal of first time visitors. This is a great way to
"go the extra mile" with your students. In Rockford, we have found
this to be a great way to teach our students how to fellowship with
other believers.
Take people to lunch on Sunday.
I've had more people join our church over my willingess to eat a sandwich
with them on Sunday afternoon than anything else I've ever done!
On Friday night, invite them to the "2nd RU class" which
meets on Sunday morning. Then, invite them to stay for the church
service, after which you will take them to lunch...your treat!
But the real "treat" is building the bridge for this student to
help them as they transition into this new life they are living.
Offer to counsel your students
before and after services. This is a wonderful opportunity that far
too many leaders do not access! Do you have students who ask to
meet you during the week? They want more of your time? Ask
them to meet you at church and spend time with them 15-30 minutes before
or 15-30 minutes after a service. This meets their need, but doesn't
take any of your family time. AND...they get the bonus of hearing
from your pastor!
Take pictures of you and your
students and post it on facebook (with their permission). Make
them your friends on your social network systems. Make sure you
have thier blessing, as this is still a confidential ministry, especially
in their early days at RU. There are some instances where students
will not want others to know of their location, etc. Be considerate
of their feelings. Give them time to grow in the Lord as He mends
their broken relationships.
Schedule your "Battle Is
On" for one Saturday a month. This is a time of outreach in
which your chapter can engage. We suggest that you mandate your
leaders, motivate your students, and invite your church members to participate.
(Your leaders are only required to administer the 2-3-4 plan and
give 30 hours a year to their local church.) On these twelve Saturdays
a year, have three hours of outreach opportunity and meet back at the
church for burgers. And...each participant who gives 30 our of
36 hours a year recieves the 30-36 plaque award! This will greatly
excite your Friday night group as they endeavor to reach others.
And finally, this is important
and relatively new. I am encouraging our challenge leaders in
Rockford to attempt to have a quarterly "activity" with each of
their groups. Whether it be a Bible study in your home, where
the leader or guest speaks, or a night of bowling or watching a ballgame.
Make it light, fun, and memorable.
All of these forms of fellowship can
be found within your average week in RU. You can turn students
into church members without spending additional nights out of your home!
The key is to build strong relationships as you fellowship with your
students during all normal church activities.
If the leadership doesn't entertain
their followship with some sort of fellowship, what makes
us think our relationships will be strong enough to maintain
their discipleship? Worship alone, will never produce
a lasting partnership; give your time in good stewardship
to those whom God has given for your apprenticeship.
(Recommendation to Directors:
Use this article as your itinerary for your next leader's meeting.)
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Have a wonderful day IN the
Lord!
Steven
Curington
 
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