CU to host 'Think Again About Small Groups' workshop

Is your church in need of re-thinking discipleship?

Campbellsville University and the Kentucky Baptist Convention are sponsoring a "Think Again ... about Small Groups" workshop, Saturday, Nov. 7 at Ransdell Chapel.

"Think Again ... about Small Groups" is a workshop designed to allow church leaders to rethink the way they are doing ministry. The event will focus on small group discipleship. The workshop will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

According to Dr. Shane Garrison, assistant professor of educational ministries at Campbellsville University, the workshop title serves as "a challenge to church and ministry leaders to 'think again' about their ministry needs and methods."

Rick Howerton, small group specialist with Seredipity by LifeWay and a 1981 graduate of Campbellsville University, and Dr. Darryl Wilson, Sunday school department director with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, will be featured at the workshop.

"We want those attending to reconsider what they are doing in their churches, in hopes of reaching more people and growing them up into full maturity of Christ," Garrison said.

"We do not imply their current thinking or methods are wrong or ineffective; we simply want them to 'think again' about how they can be more strategic and successful in their discipleship efforts."

"Think Again" workshops attempt to address a key area in educational ministry each year, Garrison said. Last year the aim was youth ministry. Children's ministry and multi-site churches workshops are future options.

The Sunday school approach is the general discipleship operation in Campbellsville and surrounding communities, according to Garrison. While this model is effective, Garrison said "many churches are looking for another option to reach people in different ways."

According to Garrison, the small group paradigm is a discipleship methodology, which seeks to foster deeper intimacy and trust within a small group. This is often seen by meeting in a home or off-site location where discussion can be more private and personal. Teaching the Bible in a discussion format encourages each small group member to share about their experience and journey.

Howerton and Wilson have traveled the commonwealth of Kentucky on the "Get Small" tour training and equipping leaders in both discipleship approaches.

"You don't get any more top-tier experts than these two men," Garrison said.

Garrison believes this event will be a great opportunity for students, especially those involved in church ministry. The event will give practical tips on discipleship that local churches can immediately put into action.

To register for "Think Again ... about Small Groups," visit www.kybaptist.org/thinkagain or call 789-5227. Registration is $15 by Oct. 30 or $20 after Oct. 30. The student rate is $10. Cost includes materials, admission to the Campbellsville University football game, catered lunch and book.

Registration for "Think Again ... about Small Groups" begins at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel. Sessions and questions/answers with Howerton and Wilson will follow. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium with the Campbellsville Tigers vs. Union College football game to follow at 1:30 p.m.

- Christina Miller is a student news writer at Campbellsville University.