After people had participated in interaction groups, or discussion groups, for several years at Circle Church, they began to feel much more secure about their faith. Christians can pretty well handle most problems with a minimum of discomfort, once they know well their base of operation.

Then, unless these same individuals kept in mind the equally important purpose of the groups—to get to know one another—it was easy to feel that the discussions were not as valuable as they once were. Talk became cheap. Consequently, the mind set of such members was most important.

We were continually receiving precious lives from God’s hand—people who were searching, seeking, and finding great meaning at Circle Church. Many of them desperately needed personal ministry. Many were struggling with the basics of faith.

As one member stated, “I’m at a more mature point in my rebellion than many of them are!”

It was to these that we who have gone further down the road must extend our experience, our love, our relationship.

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No matter what type of Sunday sermon you need to create, David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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As we began to grow at Circle Church, we found that a dichotomy began to develop in our discussion groups. Newcomers, who felt as though a dam had been broken releasing them to meaningful sharing around topics related to faith, sided with the more gregarious members who loved a “gang”—the more the merrier—who enjoyed meeting people, and who felt comfortable in group situations.

Both were immensely satisfied with our “second service” discussion groups. Others, however, longed for deeper relationships—which they equated with more time spent together—a stable group, and an extended ministry of sharing.

It was a natural thing for interaction to be most affected by sudden growth. And, we had to make adjustments in our thinking at this point.

The discussion groups were the initial phase in our encounter. They were extremely effective when viewed on that level. And, as has been stated, a great deal of ministry occurred within, or stems from, those discussion groups. More supportive relationships could be developed in the prayer cells, during extended times of hospitality, or as we participated in church projects.

The discussion groups were where we met, where we became acquainted, where we garnered a few clues as to personality.

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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about? Or, what will you preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon? David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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“The takeoff was good, but the landing left a lot to be desired.” My friend’s comment wasn’t about a business trip he had been on. Rather, it had to do with a recent sermon he had heard.

Granted, it’s important for a preacher to quickly capture people’s attention while setting the direction the sermon is going. But, it’s probably even more important to conclude in a manner that leaves people satisfied that the subject has been adequately handled.

That’s why it’s important, early on in your sermon preparation, to come up with the desired response called for or implied in your text. Not only does this need to be made clear in the sermon, but if people don’t know how to pull this off, the preacher also needs to spell out the “how-to’s.”

It can prove quite helpful to run your early ideas about the response and the “how-to’s” past one or two members of the congregation to get their feedback. A couple of quick phone calls are probably the easiest way to get this information. Their input should give you a good indication of how the rest of the congregation will feel about your ability to “land things.”

A powerful closing illustration is always appropriate. But, only if people know precisely the response expected of them, and also the steps to accomplishing this response. Otherwise, the landing will be premature, and you won’t really get people to where you want to take them.

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You can learn how to develop highly relevant Sunday sermons that grab the attention of your congregation and help your listeners respond effectively to the deep truths of God’s Word. David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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4. The discussion groups serve as an initial phase for deeper Christian encounters.

When we at Circle Church were small—from twenty-eight to two hundred—we experienced intense relationships within these symposiums. Within the period of a few months, we gathered a goodly knowledge of one another because we would meet repeatedly in the framework of discussion.

This, combined with the large percentage of attendance at the prayer cells, and an inordinate amount of entertaining, all helped us to experience a sense of community which was excitingly new.

Then came growth. We were overwhelmed by new faces in what had been our loving and intimate society. It was nothing to attend elective after elective and rarely encounter a well-known relationship. With growth, not nearly as large a percentage attended the prayer cells, and hospitality continued on a level that was most frustrating in trying to keep up with all the new ones.

Suddenly, we who had been thrilled by our Christian fellowship began to hear cries of “Superficiality!” Many old timers began to leave after the morning service. A dichotomy developed.

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Pastor, when “sermon prep day” rolls around each week, do you face the task of preparing another sermon with a frown on your face? If so, you’re not alone. Many pastors literally dread preparing their Sunday sermon. There just doesn’t seem to be an easy solution. The good news: David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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