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"Another unique program is one that our elders began shortly after we merged. They invite individual families to come in during Bible class on Sunday morning and talk to the elders for about 15 minutes. The elders meet with 3 to 6 families each Sunday morning and ask about how they feel about the church, the leaders, the ministers, etc. and if they feel they are growing spiritually and ask if they have any questions or suggestions." |
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about 30% of our congregation involved in this ministry, and they are excited about it! We are known as a friendly congregation, and we are indeed friendly. But the first impression of friendliness is from our ushers and greeters. When people step out of their cars and walk toward the building they are met with ushers handing out our Family Notes". Then as they enter the building at any entrance they are greeted by friendly people welcoming them to the Vaughn Park church. Once in the building there are plenty of ushers to help them find a place to sit and see that other members know they are present. This is a vital service that encourages people and makes them feel important and cared for. Also, it is very edifying for those people involved un the ushering and greeting.
TOUCHING LIVES THROUGH SERVING THE COMMUNITY Another ministry that helps the Vaughn Park church to grow and develop is the Community Enrichment program. We open our building to any non-profit organization who needs a place to meet. We have an AA group, education groups, Scouts, and many others who use our building almost daily. In addition, we offer from time to time seminars and programs that would have an appeal to the entire community, such as information on the new tax laws, by one of our own CPA's, "The Law and You," by one of our own attorneys, art classes, family matters seminars, classes on depression, stress and many other topics that would interest a broad spectrum of people and would put them in contact with the church. OUR YOUTH MINISTRY, A TOOL OF OUTREACH One of our most productive ministries is our Youth Ministry. Howard Todd is our Youth Minister and he does an outstanding job of organizing and directing a program of 120 teenagers, 7th grade through 12th grade. He has a number of reliable and dedicated volunteers who work closely with him in seeing that our youth have opportunity to grow spiritually, socially, and in service. Howard has a very unique Wednesday evening service that brings about as many young people to church on Wednesday night as come on Sunday morning. There are always a number of visitors in our teen department, and there have been a number of conversions as a result of teen members of Vaughn Park inviting and teaching their friends. Many of our friends have come to Vaughn Park because they have been impressed with the love and loyalty to one another that is manifested by our young people. Vaughn Park is living proof that a strong youth program is vital to church growth. ELDERS PROMOTE HARMONY AND UNITY Another unique program is one that our elders began shortly after we merged. They invite individual families to come in during Bible class on Sunday morning and talk to the elders for about 15 minutes. The elders meet with 3 to 6 families each Sunday morning and ask about how they feel about the church, the leaders, the ministers, etc. and if they feel they are growing spiritually and ask if they have any questions or suggestions. In addition, once a year, our elders invite 30 - 50 members to come together either on Sunday morning or Wednesday night to a Bible class, and they present a program with a particular theme. The theme may be evangelism, or missions, or stewardship, or goals and dreams. Time is left at the close for questions and suggestions. It takes about 8 to 10 weeks for every family in the~congregation to have this opportunity. Our elders feel that these two means of communication keep the doors open between the shepherds and the sheep and promotes unity and harmony. Certainly it allows each member to be aware of the progress of the church and what direction it is moving, and it motivates them to be a more viable part of it. The Vaughn Park Church of Christ is a growing, united, blessed group of Christians. We have strong leadership and an excellent education department and are still striving to find ways and means of continuing to grow. With God being our Helper, we will! Editor's Note: You may contact these brethren concerning their ministry at Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 3800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36106. 1 Don Mathis's article was published in Church Growth 5 (October - December, 1990): 10 - 11.
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