INTRODUCING LIFEGROUPS
Beginning soon, you will hear us start to use another term to refer to what we know now as Sunday School. I wanted to take a moment to explain the reasoning behind this change in terminology and why I am excited about how it fits into the future of Trinity Baptist.
Why make this change now?
This is actually a change that Long Range Planning proposed to our Deacons way back in the fall of 2019. At the time, we were also making changes to our Wednesday and Sunday night programming and it was decided that it was perhaps too much change at once, so we delayed this transition. This has been something Long Range Planning and our Staff have continued to discuss over the last couple of years.
Why make this change now?
This is actually a change that Long Range Planning proposed to our Deacons way back in the fall of 2019. At the time, we were also making changes to our Wednesday and Sunday night programming and it was decided that it was perhaps too much change at once, so we delayed this transition. This has been something Long Range Planning and our Staff have continued to discuss over the last couple of years.
What's wrong with the name Sunday School?
There is nothing inherently wrong with the name Sunday School, but the reality is that it is not as self-explanatory or descriptive as it once was. When Sunday Schools first developed in the 1700's, that's exactly what they were - schools that met on Sunday. Sunday Schools were initially formed to educate working children in Europe, with Biblical instruction only being a part of the curriculum. Over time, Sunday School developed into what we know now. Yet, the name never evolved to be more descriptive of its actual purpose.
The essential purpose that Sunday School has served over the last 500 years is to connect people to God's Word and to each other. This will continue to be a primary ministry and major emphasis for our church. Many of us have fond memories of Sunday School teachers who invested in our lives, lifetime friends we met in class, or even coming to faith through the ministry of a Sunday School class. Those things will still happen, just under a different moniker.
As the culture continues to change around us, we will encounter more and more people who have no roots in the Christian faith or knowledge of our traditions. For those we are trying to reach, the term Sunday School can be confusing and unappealing. This is why so many churches have moved away from that name and embraced alternatives that more clearly describe the purpose of this ministry.
Consider a few of the churches in our area and how they describe their disciple-making ministries:
It is more common now to see churches using names like these rather than Sunday School, and this will only become more prevalent in the future.
Why the name LifeGroups?
The name LifeGroups captures the essence of what we desire this ministry to be: groups of people pursuing life in Christ and doing LIFE together. LifeGroups is also an appealing name for those who may not be familiar with church life.
What else will change?
The change you will notice is one of emphasis. We must become a church that is radically committed to growing: spiritually, numerically, and in our impact in our community. LifeGroups will be the heart and engine of this growth in those areas. You'll hear more about this at our Fellowship Breakfast, but we need our Trinity family to be more committed than ever to helping others develop and grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We also hope to expand this ministry beyond Sunday mornings. We have so many leaders and volunteers who do not get to be in a group with other adults because they are busy serving Sunday mornings during that time. We want every kid, student, and adult to have an opportunity to be in a LifeGroup.
There is nothing inherently wrong with the name Sunday School, but the reality is that it is not as self-explanatory or descriptive as it once was. When Sunday Schools first developed in the 1700's, that's exactly what they were - schools that met on Sunday. Sunday Schools were initially formed to educate working children in Europe, with Biblical instruction only being a part of the curriculum. Over time, Sunday School developed into what we know now. Yet, the name never evolved to be more descriptive of its actual purpose.
The essential purpose that Sunday School has served over the last 500 years is to connect people to God's Word and to each other. This will continue to be a primary ministry and major emphasis for our church. Many of us have fond memories of Sunday School teachers who invested in our lives, lifetime friends we met in class, or even coming to faith through the ministry of a Sunday School class. Those things will still happen, just under a different moniker.
As the culture continues to change around us, we will encounter more and more people who have no roots in the Christian faith or knowledge of our traditions. For those we are trying to reach, the term Sunday School can be confusing and unappealing. This is why so many churches have moved away from that name and embraced alternatives that more clearly describe the purpose of this ministry.
Consider a few of the churches in our area and how they describe their disciple-making ministries:
- Long Hollow - Life Groups
- First Baptist Hendersonville - Connect Groups
- Indian Lake Peninsula Church - Small Groups
- First Baptist Gallatin - Life Groups
- Freedom Church - Connection Groups
- Northfield Church - LifeGroups
It is more common now to see churches using names like these rather than Sunday School, and this will only become more prevalent in the future.
Why the name LifeGroups?
The name LifeGroups captures the essence of what we desire this ministry to be: groups of people pursuing life in Christ and doing LIFE together. LifeGroups is also an appealing name for those who may not be familiar with church life.
What else will change?
The change you will notice is one of emphasis. We must become a church that is radically committed to growing: spiritually, numerically, and in our impact in our community. LifeGroups will be the heart and engine of this growth in those areas. You'll hear more about this at our Fellowship Breakfast, but we need our Trinity family to be more committed than ever to helping others develop and grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We also hope to expand this ministry beyond Sunday mornings. We have so many leaders and volunteers who do not get to be in a group with other adults because they are busy serving Sunday mornings during that time. We want every kid, student, and adult to have an opportunity to be in a LifeGroup.