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GraceNews July 3, 2009
From Preservation to Creation 
   Recently a major national publication carried an article about the demise of Sunday School in our culture. And it is true. In most places the traditional Sunday School is diminishing, sometimes with churches only having 1 or 2 students participating. For those of us who grew up in the church, this is cause for much grief as we recall the scores of memories associated with Christmas programs, promotion Sundays, fall beginnings, etc., all related to our experiences with childhood Sunday School.
    But this isn't a time for just lamenting. Too often we spend our time trying to preserve an institution when the primary purpose of that institution can be accomplished in other ways. The purpose of Sunday School was not to have Sunday School, but to pass on the faith and develop mature Christians through faith formation. Too often we neglected to communicate to students how urgent that education was. Too often we never built in accountability for learning or set goals for what was to be learned and experienced. As time went on many became more concerned about the structure of Sunday School and not the content and purpose.
    The good news is that faith formation for children is not a lost cause. In fact, there is an incredible hunger burning in the souls of children for something worth sacrificing for.  They want to see churches take biblical literacy seriously enough to figure out the format that works and invest in a process with urgency and importance. They want us to do our homework and find ways to communicate with them that not only impact them but feed the hunger they carry.  They want us to look beyond what we know-Sunday morning study with snacks and craft time-to what will resonate with them. 
     And the good news is, we can! There are formats that work. Structures that kids love. And biblical illiteracy can be reversed. So, don't throw in the towel. Even if traditional Sunday School diminishes, its original purpose can still be accomplished.
 
Taken from: When Kids Meet God workshop
 
 
Preaching and Teaching

in ARTHUR, ILLINOIS
Do you wonder how biblical stories fit into history or how they even relate to each other? Come hear the Bible in story formas we tell the whole story in one day.  This is one of the key tools that our church uses to engage and connect people to the Bible. Find out why this event has been the turning point in people's lives.  Learn the Bible in a no-pressure, fun environment. 
 
Leaders (for children and adults): Learn how you can engage your congregation to want to study the Bible with a pre-workshop briefing, pointers during the workshop on how to offer a Sprint at your own church, and a Q&A afterwards.

At Vine Street Christian Church
Arthur, Illinois
August 15, 2009
9a.m.-3:30p.m.

 Click here to register
Upcoming Events At Grace
Preaching and Teaching
 
in ARTHUR, ILLINOIS
Do you wonder how biblical stories fit into history or how they even relate to each other? Come hear the Bible in story formas we tell the whole story in one day.  This is one of the key tools that our church uses to engage and connect people to the Bible. Find out why this event has been the turning point in people's lives.  Learn the Bible in a no-pressure, fun environment. 
 
Leaders (for children and adults): Learn how you can engage your congregation to want to study the Bible with a pre-workshop briefing, pointers during the workshop on how to offer a Sprint at your own church, and a Q&A afterwards.

At Vine Street Christian Church
Arthur, Illinois
August 15, 2009
9a.m.-3:30p.m.
 Click here to register
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Two exciting programs offered on the same day: 
 
Teaching and Preaching for Change
 Preaching and Teaching
People don't learn the way they used to.
People don't hear the way they used to.
Are you speaking the language that they understand?
 
Learn what communicates best with each generation, how to plan your preaching and teaching for the long haul, different styles of presentation and their benefits, and for those who use the lectionary, learn some creative and impactful ways for preaching through the seasons. 

 When Kids Meet God
Preaching and TeachingKids don't learn the way that they used to.
Kids don't hear the way they used to.
Flannel graphs are a thing of the past.
So are you speaking the language that they understand?
 
Learn ways to help children be biblically literate, principles of effective children and youth ministry, criteria for judging effectiveness of programs. Learn how to help kids learn about God and discover their place in the story of faith.
 
 
At Grace Community Christian Church
9 a.m.-4 p.m 
September 12, 2009
 
Click here to register
get REVVED!

Is your church stuck?
 
Are you doing the same things that you did 10 years ago?
 
Does church life feel like you've lost the air out of your tires?
 
Are people focusing too much on the small issues and not the big picture?
 
Learn the steps and the process for church revitalization. This 1 � day workshop is customized to your church's needs and goals with follow up provided. It will help you set the course of your church's life.  Is it time to make a move? Contact us to learn more and set up a program in your area.
 
Contact us today to learn more about how you can Rev up your church.
 
Go to:
www.grace-institute.com to learn more!
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