The Game Plan
Philosophy and Structure
Every football team develops a game plan of some kind that becomes the strategy to be successful. In football, the quarterback is probably the most important position on the team when it comes to implementing this game plan for the offense. It is the quarterback’s responsibility to become familiar with the game plan and buy into it. If he doesn’t take ownership and believe he can be successful with this game plan then the whole team is more than likely doomed for mediocrity, discord, and ultimately failure.
The class leader in an ABF setting is similar to a quarterback in football. The class leader needs to understand the philosophy and structure of the church ministry and buy into it! He then leads his ABF ministry in implementing it.
I. An overview of adult ministry
Adult ministry in the local church has experienced many changes over the last 37 years. The traditional church with a Sunday School program although still prevalent, is not the “norm” in the 21st century church. There are many more models that God is using to build His Church! Small groups, men’s and women’s ministries have now also become vibrant ministries in many churches. Churches are also becoming more Great Commission driven in striving to make adult disciples of Jesus Christ.
A. Understanding models of adult ministry
George Carl popularized the “Meta-Church Model” of ministry in his book, Preparing the Church for the Future. He defines the traditional church of the past as the “three C model of ministry,” referring to Celebration worship services, mini-Congregations (midsize groups) and Cell groups (small groups). Please see An Overview of the Three C’s 1-A in the Supplemental Materials of this Section. In the traditional model, adult Sunday school classes (midsize groups) were the foundational ministries to adults and the “third C”, small groups were electives (if a church had developed this ministry).
He defines the term Meta-Church as “a change of mind about how ministry is to be done and a change of form in the infrastructure of the church.” He states in his book, on page 57 that the church of the future would be more effective with a dichotomy or “two C model” where the small, home-based cell groups replaced the midsize groups as the foundational ministries to adults along with the celebration-size group (worship services). In later writings, George clarifies that he believes midsize groups can still be effective in the discipleship process of adults, but they would be more effective working in conjunction with small groups.
Each of the three Cs provide unique characteristics to the church at large. When we highlight their differences we begin to see why each is vitally important. [Please see the chart on Differences Between the Three C’s 1-B in the Supplemental Materials of this Section. Once each line of the chart has been reviewed, cover one whole column beginning with the middle column (mini-congregation). Observe how the church is lacking when one of the “Cs” is missing.]
B. The broader scope of adult ministry
The “three C” model is limited as to the scope of adult ministry in the church of today. In recent years Men’s and Women’s ministries have begun to also play a vital role in the evangelism and discipleship of adults. There are also different types of small groups such as specialty groups, discipleship groups, seeker groups and support/recovery groups that are key ministries as well. Gift-based ministry, church Bible Institutes, Disciple-making ministries are other vital and growing ministries to adults.
C. The path and product of adult ministry
What are we attempting to produce in our adult ministries? When our various adult ministries have had significant impact on people, how should that person (or disciple) look?
T-Net International/DisciplePath teaches the idea of churches developing an intentional strategy to disciple adults in local churches. They recommend a modified, phased 3-C path of moving people from unbeliever to disciple-maker. These phases represent pre-Christian, new or un-followed-up Christians, growing/developing Christians and maturing/reproducing Christians. This strategy is Great Commission driven as opposed to program driven. Many churches have taken his model and created a new version that fits their own church. Here at Morning Star Church (MSC), we are in the process of implementing this strategy.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) What are the major issues when comparing a “two C” church to a “three C” church?
2) Does your church have an intentional strategy to assist believers toward maturity in Christ? If yes, explain.
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The Game Plan, Page 15 of 14
ABF Class Leader Training Course
II. The Adult Bible Fellowship philosophy of ministry
The ABF philosophy is a system of assimilating and discipling adults within a local church. It is similar to the “Adult Sunday School” and other models like it, but it is different! The ABF philosophy has two unique characteristics. First, it attempts to see most of the ministry to adults flow through its individual ABF classes. This includes fellowship, evangelism, pastoral care, assimilating newcomers, small groups, etc. Most churches have these ministries for adults, but they are disconnected. The “left hand usually does not know what the right hand is doing.” Second, leadership or ministry teams within each class or group are organized to oversee and represent the ABF ministry. These teams are usually made up of 4 to 7 people.
The ABF philosophy of ministry helps the church work together toward building “communities” or people groups within the big church. Knute Larson, the pastor who developed and popularized the Adult Bible Fellowship philosophy, in his book, The ABF Book, (back cover) described ABFs like this, “ABFs are essentially congregations within a congregation. In our world of overcrowded schedules and superficial relationships, ABFs can provide the heartwarming, nurturing care we all long to find within the body of Christ.”
A. The ABF philosophy of ministry
1. What an ABF is and does
a. What is an ABF?
♦ A group of 17 to 70 people who identify and relate to each other
as a community within the church;
♦ a “mini-church” or “mini-congregation;”
♦ a mix of ages, but normally organized by peer groups or similar
“life” stages(called affinity grops);
♦ meets on a regular basis, usually on Sunday mornings;
♦ is self-governed, where people feel responsible for the life,
direction, and growth of the group; and
♦ is the “home base” for adult individuals to feel welcomed, known,
and at home (along with small groups).
b. What does an ABF do?
♦ Studies the Scriptures (II Tim. 2:15; 3:16,17);
♦ shares burdens and prayer requests;
♦ provides activities, socials, outreach events and service projects
which enhance group unity and ministry;
♦ shares caring opportunities (i.e. meals) to members by way of
fellow member’s abilities and spiritual gifts;
♦ offers a casual fellowship time with coffee and refreshments so
people can catch up with what’s happening in each others
lives;
♦ offers small groups that meet in homes that build deeper
relationships than can be built with others in the ABF; and
sequential discipleship.
♦ provides opportunities for new people to “find a place to belong.”
2. ABFs move through the stages of life together
Group members build life-long friendships as they move through the different stages of life together. In some churches, classes are age-graded with students being “bumped” up to the next class as they reach certain age classifications. The ABF model is unique in that it encourages people to stay together for the long haul! As groups mature, they can change their name or description of the group, if needed.
[3. A one-page overview of the ABF philosophy of ministry
Please turn to the Supplemental Materials of this Section for a one-page overview of the ABF Philosophy of Ministry 1-C.]
B. The six objectives of ABFs:
1. To function as a “community” not just class
The ABF philosophy of ministry attempts to move adult classes from beyond the academic setting built around the teaching ministry, to a more “community” feel where people come as much to be with their group as they do for the teaching of God’s Word.
The key principles and characteristics of building “communities” are explained in Section Three-I-F.
2. To teach the Word of God for life application and transformation
It is the supernatural Word of God that changes lives! That is why our curriculum must be centered around God’s Word and Its principles that guide the believer in Christ. The Apostle Paul says in II Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The teaching ministry in ABFs is overviewed later in this Section.
3. To nurture an outreach mindset through assimilation and evangelism
It is very easy for ABFs to develop an “in-grown” mentality. Group members get so involved in each others lives that they can forget their mission as disciples of Jesus Christ to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, …” Matt. 28:19a.
a. Assimilation
ABFs must be “open” rather than “closed.” Newcomers should be welcomed in and made to feel like they are wanted and needed. Intentional strategies need to be in place including greeters, name tags, welcome teams, etc. Small groups within ABFs can play a vital role in assimilation when newcomers are invited early on to attend a small group that meets in a home.
Some ABFs can get the reputation of being cliquish, meaning that they are so tight with each other that they do not make room to let newcomers into their “world.” A new couple or single will start coming to the ABF, but after several months they feel as if they “can’t break in” to the group. They are not made to feel welcomed. They are not invited to the unofficial socials and gatherings that take place. So they try another ABF or even worse, they try another church! Some ABFs haven’t done a good job at assimilation because they are unorganized. Maybe they do not have greeters or possibly wearing their nametags is not emphasized. Effective assimilation takes work!
[For more information on assimilation see Section Two and for Welcome Teams see Section Four.]
b. Evangelism
One of the major dilemmas of the church through the years has been to get members and regular attendees totally assimilated into the “life” of the church and yet, still have the time and desire to nurture relationships with those who do not know Christ. In ABFs, it becomes even more difficult if the culture of the church has unintentionally created an attitude that ABFs are for “churched” people. This mentality can be very difficult to change. ABFs that are strong in outreach usually have leadership that sets the pace. Outreach activities are intentionally planned. There is an expectation within the group of nurturing relationships with non-believers and inviting them to appropriate functions.
4. To develop a healthy balance between group life (organism) and building an infrastructure (organization)
The Church of Jesus Christ is not only an organization, but also an organism, for it comprises a living membership of believers (I Pet. 2:5). If we breakdown the church further we can conclude that midsize ABFs are mini-organisms within the church. Each ABF has a life of its own; its own personality; giftedness; passions, etc. As with a church, an ABF must have a healthy balance between its organization and its essence as an organism. Let’s look at the latter first. An ABF as a living, growing organism functions beautifully as group members exercise the “one another” passages (i.e. loving, praying, encouraging, bearing one another’s burdens), along with the other aspects of “community life”. An organism, however, is like the human body in that without the skeletal structure it is limited and basically reduced to a “blob” of flesh that is ripe for disease, decay, and eventually death.
The organization (infrastructure) is the skeletal structure that provides the “backbone” for keeping the organism (group life) functioning properly. The leadership team of an ABF provides the organization for the group life (organism) to flourish. In the long run there cannot be one without the other! Occasionally an ABF with no functioning leadership and/or no organization boasts of their community life (They say, “See we are doing fine without a leadership team.”) It will not last! Disease will set in such as needs going spontaneously unmet, group members feeling disconnected because they are not invited to private gatherings by class members, lack of following up group members falling away, etc. These issues lead to hurt feelings and neglect and over time erode the community within the group. ABFs must be committed to developing in both of these areas.
5. To reach their growth potential
Every ABF should strive for growth in the following three areas. Of course each ABF has its own distinctive features that should be taken into account when considering the potential it has. For example, typically an older ABF with people age 60 and up would not have as much potential for growth as a young couple’s group just starting out.
a. Spiritual growth potential
All of the ABFs are on a level playing field when it comes to its group members reaching their personal growth potential. Wherever people are on their spiritual journeys there should be room for growth if they have a “teachable spirit.”