Pastors who have been in groups where I have spoken invariably ask, “How can we begin doing what you were doing at Circle Church? We have pews. We can’t change our Sunday school system overnight.”
I try to stress that they not attempt to emulate what we were doing, but adapt our principles to their situation. First of all, they have to make that mental adjustment which insists that meaningful interaction is an important function of the church. Then possibly they can provide some elective classes on an adult Sunday school level which center around discussion. Maybe they can schedule opportunity for the congregation to discuss the sermon with the preacher, and then program further change, in proportion to the response of the congregation.
For us, as we began to interact effectively over a period of time, our name, Circle Church, took on a second, and more satisfying, meaning. We had chosen it originally because of our geographic location. But, now it came to symbolize something deeper, something which expresses the essence of our whole. A poem from Edwin Markham entitled “Outwitted,” which we used often in the worship service expresses this in part.
He drew a circle that shut me out—
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!
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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.
