Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
THE CONGREGATION’S STORY
Opening Words:
With excitement and trepidation, I entered the door to the church.
What would I find? What questions could I ask? What would be shared with me?
I looked around.
Whose picture was that in the hallway? Why was the altar set that way?
What is the story behind the tapestry hanging in the parlor?
The stories, who would tell me the stories?
Or will I be left to wonder what the walls could say?
Check-in: How are you doing today? What is going well? What are your challenges?
Topic/Activity:
Take about 10 minutes to develop a timeline for your congregation or setting in which you are a religious educator.
Holding paper either horizontally or vertically,
Note the earliest date that you know regarding that organization at one side/end.
Put today's date at the other side/end.
Put the date that you came to the congregation/organization, and the date that you became a religious educator within that setting.
What brought you to the church?
Share the story of your entry into the congregation? Or why did you continue to come?
What was the story of religious education leadership in the congregation when you entered the story? Or what is history of religious education leadership in the 10 years before you arrived?
What stories did you find out after you were involved with the congregation for awhile?
How is the story of the congregation changing because of your presence?
What do you see as your part in the story of the congregation for the future?
Closing words:
As I leave the building and close the door behind, I wonder what has been added to the story of the congregation because I have been here. We all like to feel that we make a difference, and we do by our very presence. The question that follows me out the door is whether I have advanced the story in a way that honors and holds up the principles, values and ideals of my faith community.
Likes and wishes: How was the session for you?