What U Talkin' 'Bout??

Yes those of you over 30 are realizing that I left off the Willis right? Oh man I remember those days when everything was so easy; not a care in the world except for playing baseball and going swimming. Do you remember those kind of days? Do you remember watching those kind of shows? I can remember the stories from Different Strokes, Family Ties, Silver Spoons and Saved by the Bell....you know you watched it. Can you remember caring about what was going on in their lives; remember what was going on in your friends lives at the same time? Movie producer Rob Reiner has been quoted as saying "you never make friends like when you are 12 years old" and that was the premise for 'Stand By Me' and another movie he has coming out in the near future. I can agree with that; some of the best friends that I have today are the ones that I had when I was 12. We played baseball together, went swimming together and watched shows together. We lived life together!

So what are you talking about this fall? Do you know? Have any thoughts? I think that I have said it to everyone but it bears repeating..if you need help with anything please ask me!! If you don't ask for help I will have a hard time giving it to you. There are tons of resources and lessons out there for groups and I have spent a ton of time looking over them in the past few months, please don't feel like you are alone out there. We at CP try and use a bit of a 'handsoff' approach so to speak as far a curriculum goes. You are all ministers and have the freedom and capacity to teach what you feel God is leading you to. Let me assure you though if you feel like you're stuck, confused or just plain old need some guidance I am here for you. We are not doing anything church wide like we did in the earlier semester so there will be no guides that match along with sermon, please reply and let me know what you might have in mind. I will be contacting each of you leaders in the next week just to touch base and see where you will be heading with you topics.

The absolute most important thing for you to keep in mind the entire time that you lead as a group is this...are you ready? If you don't remember anything else remember this..."Ministry is Relational!!" The important thing to do is to build relationships with the people in your group. Get to know them, get to know the stupid stuff along with the stuff that matters. Know when their birthday is and their kids birthdays, get involved...do life together. Life is about stories, find out everyones story, care about their story...share your story. Now think again about the days when you did not have a care in the world, what was it for you? How can you share that same feeling of life with your group? This fall get out there and make some friends like you are 12 years old!!