The Indiana-Kentucky trip

I am taking educational leadership and administration as part the masters of arts program at the Seminary at Lincoln Christian University.  The last two days of class we traveled to five churches in Indiana and Kentucky to learn about how they are doing christian education.  I kept a journal of each stop so here are some thoughts, eg. ideas to steal.

First stop:  Kingsway Christian Church, Avon, IN.

• 2500 members.  Early 30′s starter families.
• K-8 school in facility.
• In transition.  Recently hired a transition Pastor who will be new Senior Pastor in 9 months.
• No warm, friendly area in church such as a coffee house.  This could be their next step.
• History hallway.  Pictures of the last 30+ years.
• CORE 4- elements that lends itself to spiritual growth.

1. Worship – Kingsway members regularly attend a weekend worship service.
2. Grow – We consistently participate in a small group and/or Bible school class.
3. Serve – We actively volunteer in a ministry area at Kingsway.
4. Share – We passionately share our faith and resources.

• 60% of new membership is new, not transfer.
• Has Discover: Core 4, where once you’ve made that commitment, how can you grow? And how does participation at Kingsway impact your personal faith journey?  But it is not working, so they will be introducing, Discover believing, and Discover small groups.
• They write their own studies for life groups that go with the sermons.
• Any of the kiosks in the church have a CORE 4 sign with the appropriate aspect in bold.  eg. Short Term Mission trip kiosk with Share in bold.

Tomorrow, First Church of Burlington.