The following study guides are offered to assist you in readying your group, class, congregation, or team in their preparation for “hands on” mission ministry. We believe that the most significant part of our “pre-action” work always lies in the realm of spirit, head, and heart. We hope the studies offered below might help you as you prepare to go beyond your walls. “Walking with Jesus” and “Sabbath Economcis” are facilitated by the Outreach Team Coordinator. All materials and workbooks will be provided at that time.
A 10 week journey through the Gospels with Jesus. Moving from Baptism to Resurrection, we interact with the Jesus and those with whom he dwells. This highly interactive biblical experience allows the participant to walk with Jesus, experiencing and participating in the interactions of his life. We continue to ask the question: “Where do we see this story unfolding in our world, right next door, and down the street? What then is our response?” This is a transformative journey where we become disciples who will see the world from the eyes of Jesus.
Sabbath Economic Household Practices – Growing as a disciple through spiritual exercise of our household economy. We are in an age of “death by affluenza,” a culture of putting spiritual value on physical things. Our economic systems are in deep decline as are the moral fibers that hold together our culture. This eight part series, steeped in scripture and using the highly interactive process of Biblical Animation, leads small Christian communities to a more sustainable household economy that cares for the poor, holds gently to creation, and seeks to worship the God who says he is found in the “least of these.” This series is focused on growing disciples to transform the world.
Is a multi-congregational (3 – 7 congregations) ministry that joins four or five lay-persons and one clergy from each congregation through monthly gatherings of prayer, highly-interactive and exciting bible-study, spiritual formation, mutual learning toward building relationships and capacity toward community transformation, and engagement in a local cooperative ministry visioned and developed by the participating congregations. This dedicated extra-congregational group of people will spend 10 months on an inward/outward journey to discern how, in community, they can better Live the Word in their particular locality. There is no costs associated with the ministry other than time, effort, and providing a meal for the gathered teams that is shared by participating congregations on a rotational basis.
Mission Work Teams! Here I Am!
A Guided Workbook designed to be used in conjunction with a Mission Work Team Experience. Questions lead the participant into a deeper understanding of servant hood and action. What does it mean to serve? Who do we serve? Why do we serve? This 25 page study guide can be used in parts or as a whole.
Street Smarts – You CAN be in ministry with the most vulnerable of YOUR community!
“Street Smarts” is a five hour learning event (three hours for the abridged version) meant for leaders of ministry groups, mission coordinators, pastors, and all persons who desire to make a difference in their community through LOVE IN ACTION! It will offer ways you can be effective in caring for the most vulnerable in your local communities, the poor, the outcast, those whom Jesus called, “the least of these.” We will focus on doing ministry in ways that matter, working together to proclaim hope, and finding joy in the mutual in-dwelling of Jesus.
Thy Kingdom Come – A Call to Prophetic Ministry in Our Contemporary World
The Apostle Paul tells us, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” We are called to transform our culture, not be transformed by it. Learn how we might change our world through the prophetic voices of the Body of Christ!
The Poor Will Always Be With You – Power Point for District Mission Training
Leader guide is available. Facilitation by Outreach Team Coordinator is also available on request. Please contact kduncan@nccumc.org
The Poor will Always Be With You – Slides and Notes Download in Pdf
Messaging a New Way of Leadership – Biblical Animation – UMW Assembly 2014 – Training Workshop