Ministry Updates

Adult Christian Education & Discipleship Ministries

This year saw further growth and development in Central's Adult Discipleship Ministries. In addition to Adult Christian Education classes, the 2002 Winter/Spring term included the Christian Growth Lecture Series, an intensive church-wide weekend of teaching and dialogue led by Dr. Greg Ogden, a nationally-known teacher and author. Pastor Ogden's teaching and preaching challenged and inspired the congregation to continue to develop a Biblically-based, lay-driven model of ministry and outreach at Central church.

Adult Christian Education also continued to sponsor the church-wide "Summer Potpourri" of Sunday morning classes. This summer, the theme of Christian Spirituality provided an opportunity for seventeen teachers and discussion leaders to enlighten and challenge the Central community on a dozen different topics in this important area in the life of every disciple of Christ.

The Fall term of 2002 provided the Central community with a variety of Sunday morning Adult Discipleship/Adult Christian Education offerings: the New Members' Class; Exploring Your Spiritual Design; Wisdom, Worldliness, and Wanting; An Overview of the Bible; and Reading the Christian Classics.

Also, in praying about, framing, and committing to our ministry covenant, the Adult Discipleship Ministry/Adult Christian Education Team discerned that our mission is

TO INVITE, ENCOURAGE, AND CHALLENGE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF CENTRAL CHURCH TO GROW AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST by humbly teaching, training, challenging, and equipping them to practice and persevere in His personal and corporate spiritual disciplines: to discern His wisdom, obey His will, walk in His way, and witness to His world through a life of prayer, Bible study, holy learning, and loving, sacrificial service.

To that end, the development of an annual (Fall) Christian World View Speakers Series is being explored, and we are seeking to work along side and support individuals with a passion for developing and leading Adult Christian Education classes in a variety of formats. In addition to offering new and continuing adult Christian education classes in the Winter/Spring term of 2003, we envision planning the development of offerings in seven "core" curriculum areas that would be attractive to seekers and edifying to disciples. These core areas would include:

1. Biblical Studies
2. Christian Doctrine, Theology, and Church History
3. Missions and Social Action
4. Personal Spiritual Design, Ministry Skills, and Service
5. Christian Spirituality and Discipleship
6. Christian Apologetics and Evangelism in Post-modern Society
7. Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Social Issues

Please pray with us that God will be glorified as lay leaders and ministers at Central receive His call and are raised up to serve in Central=s Adult Discipleship and Christian Education Ministries in the year ahead.