Rainey Prays on Some Days

The General Idea “99-seconds” is a special type of presentation format that features several speakers (usually 10 or more). Each speaker shares a brisk, self-contained testimony or informational presentation that lasts for up to 99 seconds. A 99-second timer will be counting from 99 to 0 on a screen behind the speakers. Set Up and Preparation Must be able to display a timer on a large screen. (The 99-second timer is available for free from http://www.thiagi.com/  or you may use some other software timer). Instructions When providing a special occasion for about 10 or more people in the congregation to speak, have a 99-second timer counting down to zero on the screen behind the speaker. This keeps the person from going too long and provides a fast-paced, energized series of presentations. Tips for This Activity (Organizer) Topics to consider for using this format: Congregational testimonies of God’s work. Missionaries at a missions convention or denominational eve...

       The Bergen Record recently reported another skirmish between a Korean church and a Bergen County community.   This time, it happened in Norwood .   If memory serves me correctly, it has also happened in recent years in Cliffside Park , Englewood Cliffs, Leonia, and Little Ferry.   It usually happens this way: the Korean congregation finds a property or an existing building in a community.   They make plans to convert or expand the property into a church building.   They submit plans to the borough, who then rejects the proposal, suggesting the proposed facility will “negatively affect the character of the borough” ( Norwood ), cause traffic problems, or some other reason.   In response, the Korean congregation cries “racism,” files a lawsuit, and off to court they go.   I personally think this issue is much deeper than one of anti-Korean sentiment.   As one who pastored a church that tried to find a suitable mee...

The General Idea This activity allows participants to share something unique or interesting they have done and lets them see if other people have done the same thing.  Materials Needed 3x5 cards Pens or pencils Instructions   Have participants write on a 3x5 index card, “Have you ever . . . “   Have each person think of something unique or interesting that they have done and have them write it on the card (e.g. “Have you ever . . . been on a trip to Bulgaria?” or . . . met [Famous Person]?”). It should be something they think few people have ever had a chance to do. Collect all of the cards and draw them out and read them one at a time. The person who wrote on the card and anyone else who has done what is listed on the card “confesses” by standing up. This gives people an opportunity to connect with each other who have had similar life experiences and allows people who have done some interesting things in life to share them.

The General Idea On weeks that the congregation has a communion service, the people in the congregation should also share meals together in each other’s homes following the worship service as an practical extension of the fellowship symbolized during Communion. Set Up and Instructions A coordinator can be assigned to oversee and organize the congregation with the various people who will host the meals. All people who attend the worship service should have an opportunity to participate. Thus the primary role of the coordinator is to ensure that this happens. The church might also consider using board members, elders, or ministry leaders to be the hosts initially. If the church has small groups, one of the monthly meetings could be held on Communion Sunday with an emphasis on sharing meals that week.

The General Idea A group of people can meet at a local nature center or wooded trail to have a “prayer hike” through the woods. This can be done as an alternate Sunday School class, midweek activity, or as a special alternate worship activity. Materials Needed --A well-marked, one-half to one-mile circular wooded trail --Group leader --Transportation to and from prayer location Set Up The leader should walk the course ahead of time to get a sense of the elapsed time of the prayer hike and plan stopping points for prayer. Instructions While walking the trail, the leader should select stopping points with various scripture and prayer themes. Tips for this Activity --Some stopping points can be focused on praying all together. Others can be focused on individual activities such as personal prayer, journaling, or making observations about nature. --Select different people to lead in prayer at each stopping point. --Incorporate silence or listening into an activity.

The General Idea At the end of a sermon or teaching, ask participants to complete the following three statements on a 3x5 card:  I will start … I will continue … I will stop ...   Figure: Sample 3x5 Start, Stop, and Continue Card Set Up and Preparation Distribute 3x5 cards and pens/pencils prior to the activity. Instructions Ask each person to write something they should start doing as a result of the sermon; what they will continue doing because it was affirmed in the sermon; and what they will stop doing as a result of the sermon. Then have a time of prayer about the things written on the card. Variations on This Activity Participants can share their start, stop, and continue phrases with a partner, in threes, or small group, and then pray together. Instead of start, stop, and continue, you can have participants respond to the statement: “One thing I can do this week in response to this sermon is . . . “ Participants can bring the...

The General Idea Instead of a pastor or worship leader praying, rotate people to pray publicly in the services each week to increase the level of participation in the worship services. Set Up and Preparation A coordinator will oversee and schedule people to participate in this ministry. Instructions During the worship service, a designated person will pray publicly as directed by the pastor or coordinator of this ministry. The pastor should work with the coordinator to ensure appropriate prayer needs and themes are addressed during the worship service. Tips for This Activity Train participants in this ministry to pray publicly. Make participants aware in advance of specific service themes, including various national holidays and/or denominational themes. Rationale For This Activity--The Power of Public Prayer “Jewish law prefers that Jews pray communally rather than privately.” Joseph Telushkin, “Minyan,” in Jewish Literacy, 719. After reading this quote, I get the impres...