Glenbrook 6pm
Details + Distinctives

Notes for Gathering Leaders

Thank you for leading this Gathering. At Lower Mountains Anglican Parish we gather to proclaim Christ. So our ministries aim to seek, connect, grow and send people so that together we can serve God and others. 

The Seek > Connect > Grow > Send Framework also forms the backbone of our church gatherings.

1. Seek: We draw together under God as we prepare to hear His word

2. Connect: We hear the word of God

3. Grow: We respond to the word of God

4. Send: In a continuing response to God's word we are sent into the world

For every detail of planning a church gathering, we need to ask ourselves - is this preparing us to hear Gods word, hearing Gods word, or responding to Gods word? This places God's word at the centre, but also ensures intentional preparation and response to God's word. Below are directions for a variety of regular Gathering elements including; how to use the Elvanto template, how to prepare for the Gathering, music and copyright, communion, terminology, and the DEADLINE.

Tip: Put yourself into the shoes of a newcomer – what would be helpful?

• Check gathering box for special instructions or handouts.

• Foyer

  • Place Welcome Flags (there are two) and Sandwich Boards outside

  • Turn on lights

  • Open both Doors on Raymond St

  • Clean-up – remove any items on bench or tables that should not be there. 

  • Check Tables and Seats in foyer are inviting and Crèche is packed away.

• Welcomers

  • Ready handouts (in the gathering box). 

  • Have pre-printed labels ready

  • Have Welcome brochures and Welcome Afternoon Tea postcards ready
    
    Note: If the person is clearly a Newcomer it would be helpful to take some time to give some more direction (e.g. Kids Church, Bible, Parents Room, Toilets, introduce to/sit near a member in a similar demographic)
    
    

  • Record the names of any newcomers on the Newcomer Notes clipboard

• Seek out Newcomers after the gathering – invite to Dinner, introduce to other members.

• Head count – before the Bible talk:  

• Mark roll (by the end of gathering, but not during welcoming) - tick/add

Please put the completed Checklist and the Marked Roll back in the box for the office.

Praying for our church + community

Pray for our church, and then for the ministry of God's word

Use the following to inform your prayers for our church: LMAP Glenbrook 6pm Prayer Points

Praying for the world

This is a place to pray for our link missionaries and for God's glory to be known in all the world.
Here are some examples of missional and biblical prayers you can use to start your prayers

Pray specific prayer points for our link missionaries, but you can also pray generally and briefly for the other missionaries who have an association with our church:

Week 1: Compassion (and Adam + Avril Friend in Madagascar) + one Bible verse prayer on an unreached people group
Week 2: Sandifer's (and Taylor's in Tanzania at Munguishi Bible College) + one Bible verse prayer on an unreached people group
Week 3: Elyard's (and Andrew+Bec in the Middle East) + one Bible verse prayer on an unreached people group
Week 4: Grivas-Allison's (and Atwood's working with university studies in the South Pacific) + one Bible verse prayer on an unreached people group
Week 5: Unreached People's

Note that Boardman's are prayed for in 'local/church prayer'

At this point in our gathering, the hope is that we would want to respond together as a church family. 

Consider including a Creed, Confession, Lord's Prayer, or a Thanksgiving 

You can also write your own corporate responses using the passages of scripture being read this week

Click here for dishwasher instructions.

• After Gathering Tidy – give the Foyer/Auditorium a quick tidy (e.g. replace Bibles, clear up items left behind, recycle handouts, lost and found to cupboard in the Foyer)

• Bring back inside the Welcome Flags and the Sandwich Boards

• Close/lock Doors on both Wascoe St and Raymond St (incl Hall).

• Turn off Air Conditioners/Close windows

• Turn off lights (incl. Auditorium/Hall/Bathrooms/Foyer)

• Feedback - Notes for Ministry Team/Office (e.g. is there anything we need to know – Newcomers names, something needs fixing, brochures running out etc.)