As we wrap up the official 2011-2012 Journey Group year this month, this is a valuable time to collect information to help us discern how effective we have been at making disciples in our Journey Groups.  Below is a link to an online survey we are using to gather the information.  We want everyone connected to a Journey Group to take this survey.  Will you take a few moments right now to take the survey yourself?  If you exit the survey before finishing, you cannot return and pick up where you left off, so make sure you have 5-10 minutes to complete it when you begin.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DiscipleshipAssessment

We have a high calling from God to Make Disciples of Jesus for Kingdom Impact and we want to be as effective and fruitful as possible.  Thank you for helping us assess our efforts this year so that we can be even more effective in the future!

Can you believe the end of the Journey Group year is almost here? Because we believe in a rhythm of life, we encourage Journey Groups to take a break over the summer. Before that happens, we want to celebrate what God has done in the groups. Do you have a story to share of God’s transforming work in your Journey Group?  We would love to highlight a few of these stories at our year end celebration event on April 30.  Please take a moment to share the story with us so we can praise God and celebrate His work among us – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/journeygroupstories

The March material for Project 4:4 is here!  Download and print it here - JG Discussion Pages – March - or follow the link on the right side of this page.

How is Project 4:4 going in your group?  Comment and share a story of God’s work in your group through Project 4:4 to date.  Let’s celebrate His power to change us make us into His image!

Here is the February edition of the Project 4:4 Journey Group discussion material – Project 4:4 Journey Group Material – February.  You can also access the material through the link on the right side of this page.

We continue to pray that this material will help your group engage God’s Word in exciting ways this year!

Project 4:4 is just around the corner! Are you excited and expectant for God to grow your faith in new ways through this experience?

In preparation for the launch of Project 4:4 on January 1, 2012, we are releasing the first set of Journey Group material we’ve created. These discussion guides focus on a particular passage from each week’s reading and provide questions to explore the Biblical content and apply the truths to our lives. The discussion guides will be released a month in advance through emails and the Journey Group Leader blog. We will also have a limited supply of paper copies available at the Journey Group booth in the atrium.

Two things to consider as your group uses these guides:

1. These are not just for the leader. Encourage your group members to print and use the guides as they read. Feel free to forward the emails or direct them to the Journey Group Leader blog.
2. Like any material created, it may need to be adjusted to suit your group. Use your knowledge of your group and the Holy Spirit to help you tweak these questions or create alternative ones as needed. We promise not to get our feelings hurt…too badly.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this material or Project 4:4 in general, feel free to reach out to us. You can reach Dave Irwin at 402-938-1562 or davei@cccomaha.org and Reid Brown at 402-938-1561 or reidb@cccomaha.org.

Hi, Everyone,

I have some important scheduling updates to give you for Journey Groups. Some of these I have shared in group meetings already, but some will be new.

1. As we discussed at the last Leadership Community Night, the Leadership Community Night scheduled for Sunday, November 6, has been decentralized and will happen in living rooms rather than at CCC. This means that we are NOT hosting a gathering at CCC on November 6. Instead, the
   Journey Group Coaches will meet with their leaders sometime during the month of November and December. For those leaders who are not yet connected with a Coach, you will be hearing from me individually.
2. We are canceling the Mid-Year Huddle planned for January 7 in order to place more emphasis on Accelerate(CCC’s whole church leadership event) that’s scheduled for Monday, February 6. Accelerate will give us the opportunity to be encouraged and challenged by an internationally recognized leader in the Christian community. I also want to offer some opportunity for us to debrief and interact on what we learn as it relates to Journey Groups…but I’m still working out those details.
3. GroupLink is scheduled for Friday, January 20. If you are looking to add people to your group, this will be an excellent opportunity to network with people who want to join a Journey Group. We will be asking for your RSVP to be there in the coming months. I encourage you to bring up the opportunity with your group members and get their input.

Here is an updated copy of the Year-At-A-Glance calendar that you can print off and read each night before you go to sleep (we can help with counseling if you actually do this). If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me an email (davei@cccomaha.org) or give me a call (402-938-1562)!

Dave

Hi, Everyone,

I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity to help the evangelism team in the coming days. This Sunday, October 30, is the last message in the Future Shock series and a response card will be collected in the service. The evangelism team has the job of following up with those who indicate an interest in a follow-up class and discussion groups for seekers. We’re obviously praying for a big response and we want to line up a few extra people to help. Here’s how you can jump in…

1. Come to the church on Sunday, October 30, in the evening to help sort out the response cards and/or make a few phone calls.
2. If you can’t be there on 10/30, Tim Perry can email you a list of people to call during the week along with a few notes on what we want to accomplish in the conversations. Once you’ve talked with the people on your list, simply email the notes back to Tim Perry.

If you want to help the evangelism team in this effort, please contact Tim Perry at timp@cccomaha.org or 402-938-1505. Thanks!

This opportunity to serve came across my desk today and I thought I would pass it along.

A senior citizen (heat attack survivor) and CCC attendee needs help with outside home projects. The brick home needs the soffits and picture window painted, any tree trimming would be greatly appreciated and cement driveway and sidewalk has cracks that need to be cemented. I will provide the materials, paint, brush, cement, however, I do not have ladders.

THANK YOU,

Linda at 402-556-8938

3616 South 46th Ave.

For those that couldn’t attend the Year End Celebration, we missed you! We had a great time encouraging each other and praising God for His goodness and faithfulness to work in our Journey Groups.

One piece of information you missed is the summer info page. It has all the important Journey Group dates and a few important reminders as we head into the summer season. You can view and print it here.

For those that weren’t able to attend the Leadership Development night on April 3, I wanted to post the notes with a little explanation.

Reid Brown began the time by looking to Scripture. We wanted to ask, “What is our Biblical motivation for pushing the idea of multiplication?” When we consider passages like Luke 22:27, John 15:13, and Philippians 2:3-4 a common message rings loudly – it’s not about me! One of the common hesitations about multiplying a group is a reluctance to give up the group you enjoy so much. God’s Word reminds us that following Jesus and serving His Kingdom is not about us; it’s about others. As we strive to follow Christ’s example of leaving our comfort behind and putting the needs of others first, I believe we will be compelled to multiply our small groups so that more people can have authentic community and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Based on these and other Scriptures, we are starting from the belief that every small group should multiply if it is following a healthy path.

We spent the remainder of the time discussing two practical aspects of group multiplication: 1) understanding the general life-cycle of a group and 2) understanding basic methods of actually launching a new group out of your group. Here are the notes we used – How-To of Group Multiplication

The life-cycle portion is pretty self explanatory, but remember that reality is rarely as tidy as it looks on paper. Your group may jump stages in the cycle or take steps backwards at times. Knowing what stage your group is in will help you lead effectively toward multiplication.

The methods of multiplication portion needs a little more explanation. Three basic methods of multiplying a group were discussed. The first two are similar in that only one person from the original group leaves to begin a new group. The third method involves sending half of the original group out to launch the new group. The original and new groups then add new members. The end result of all three plans is the same – one group becomes two. There are variations and hybrids of these three plans so feel free to adjust them to make a plan that will work best for your group.

Hopefully, you have been inspired to pursue multiplication in your group and have a few tools in your hands to help make that happen. Feel free to share any thoughts or questions you may have we me – davei@cccomaha.org

Dave Irwin