WordAlone Document — August 23, 2004
So you are a WordAlone congregation...
...why not seek to start an area chapter?
by John Beem (Treasurer, WordAlone Network)
I am currently serving as an interim pastor at a WordAlone member congregation. In reflecting on their mission, this congregation became aware that none of the neighboring congregations in a 30-square-mile area had any connection with WordAlone. The leaders of this congregation then did the following:
- Made personal contact with some folks they knew in each of these congregations—some 14 of them—to see if they would be interested in a meeting to learn about WordAlone.
- Arranged an informational meeting for those folks who were open to such an opportunity.
- They encouraged the folks they had contacted to bring friends to the informational meeting.
- At the informational meeting WordAlone was introduced and then the attendees were invited to a follow-up meeting where a WordAlone chapter was explained and the process for forming a chapter was outlined.
- This resulted in scheduling a meeting where a chapter for the area actually would be formed.
Here are the benefits of this effort for this WordAlone congregation:
- Getting information out in a congregation always takes time, and some of the congregation’s members were not aware of what WordAlone’s concerns and ministries were all about. Regular chapter meetings will now serve as a medium for such ongoing education.
- It has opened the door to both newsletter articles and every-member mailings regarding WordAlone.
- The support system for those in WordAlone has been increased beyond the congregation.
- Though not fully tested yet, the congregational leaders anticipate that such a chapter will enhance support for conference and synod initiatives on behalf or renewal, reform, and reflection.