Fire and Reign

What would happen if the Holy Spirit
took greater control of our church?

Would it be something wild and crazy? Perhaps some of what we have heard about churches and the Holy Spirit has made us fearful and hesitant, even overly cautious. God may move in power and do wonderful things in our church, but most likely they would be along these lines:

U Drawing people to repentance before a Holy God who hates every form and expression of sin.

U Prompting people to reconcile long-held differences, seek each other’s gain and love one another as Christ loves his church.

U Strengthening core convictions and practices that bring glory to God.

U Empowering disciples to make a measurable impact for Christ on the community in which our church ministers - Resulting in less sin and more holiness.

U Stirring a passion to know Jesus, become more like him and declare him to a world that needs him.

This nine-lesson study will take us deep into the Book of Acts in order to draw us back to Christ’s priorities for his church. We will study the first seven chapters of Acts to see how God raised up a spiritually empowered congregation - the Jerusalem church - Capable of touching all nations. It’s a model for any church. It’s high time we gave Christ’s Spirit more authority in our lives and in our churches. Fire & Reign is a rock-solid, no-nonsense first leg of that journey.

Questions can be directed to Mike Legato, Jim Cronk, Kevin Smith or Steve Oman.

Fire & Reign Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there going to be any Sunday School classes offered during Fire & Reign?
a. Yes. There will be one class offered, but the class content will be based on Fire &
Reign and will be done in a style of a small group. We are encouraging people to join the other small groups that meet on that morning as well. This class will serve as a “catch all” for people who are not in a small group.

2. What will be the Sunday morning schedule this fall during Fire & Reign?

a. There will be no change in schedule unless a small group would like to meet earlier.

b. Small groups may have to meet a little longer than the typical hour so they will have less time between small groups and the worship service.

c. The Leading Edge class will be meeting at 9am as well.

3. How is the Children’s Sunday School hour going to run in light of Fire & Reign?

a. There will be a regular Sunday School curriculum offered during this 9:30 time slot.

b. Then, during the 11am time slot (normally, Children’s Worship Hour) they will be doing a study of Acts 1-7 that coincides with Fire & Reign. If you need more details than that, see Scott Franz or Carl Landt.

4. How is the JR HI Sunday School hour going to run in light of Fire & Reign?

a. Leslee Siefert is going to lead a class at 9:30am and use a combination of the Acts Visual Bible, some curriculum that she has used in the past, and some newer material (from www.inword.org) that Mike Miller has for Acts 1-7. They will be using a modified small group format.

5. How is the SR HI Sunday School hour going to run in light of Fire & Reign?

a. Mike Miller is recruiting leaders to run small groups during the Sunday School hour and during the week (for students who do not usually attend Sunday School). Mike will be the lead facilitator for these groups, but each leader will facilitate their own small group.

6. If a family has a child in more than one ministry area (Children’s, JR HI, or SR HI), when should we come to church?

a. There will be only one worship service at 11am. There will be a children’s worship hour for pre-school through 5^th grade which will be based on Fire & Reign. Children 6^th grade and up will be in the adult worship service.

7. If my current small group decides to meet for Fire & Reign at any time other than 9:30am on Sunday morning, do we just come for 11am service?

a. Yes, but your kids will miss their opportunity to be a part of Fire & Reign small groups because they will be meeting during those times.

b. NOTE: The Children’s ministry is in need of additional volunteers to staff the 9:30 Sunday school time slot. If you are interested, please see Scott Franz or Carl Landt.

8. What will parents do until 11am if their small group meets at another time?

a. If you choose not be involved with a small group at 9:30, then you could sit and pray for what God will do in all of our lives on that morning.

9. How are Fire & Reign small groups different from small groups in the past?

a. They will be meeting weekly for the duration of the campaign (Sept 13-Nov 15). Although getting people connected at Fellowship will play a part in these new groups, the primary focus will be on becoming more like Jesus through the Fire & Reign study.

10. What will the schedule be after Fire & Reign?

a. This is somewhat undetermined. Right now, the current thinking is that we as committees and elders want to move to using small groups as the prime discipleship tool. How we get there is unknown as of now. It will be thoroughly talked about and the committees would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you have any comments or questions, please see any of the people below. Realize that the people listed below may not have all the answers you’re looking for.

i. Small Groups – Mike Legato, Jim Cronk, Kevin Smith

ii. Edification (Sunday School Classes, bible studies) – Carl Landt, Steve Oman, Kim Hegedus, Jon Lathers

iii. Children’s Ministry (pre-school through 5^th grade) – Scott Franz, Julie Kausch

iv. Exaltation (Choir, Worship Service, etc) – Sharon Landt, Dan Stevens, Ken Billings

v. Youth Ministry (JR HI, SR HI, College & Career) – Mike Miller, Derek Compton, Gary Edgar