Check out these resources to support you in missional ministry:
Why consider a New Church Development Coach for your vision team or new church pastor?
Check out this link to see a video with Graham Cray from Fresh Expressions on Getting Started with a vision for planting a new faith community.
Glenn Gaffney, actively involved in Riverside Presbyterian Church and high level official in a government agency, shares his thoughts on the value of evaluation.
Glenn Gaffney shares an example of evaluation in his work that can inspire church leaders to consider how thoughtfully evaluating mission and ministry could allow new ministry to break loose.
What kind of leader is Glenn Gaffney? Glenn shares how his faith and vocation are intricately intertwined.
View the webinar on Share Christmas resources available through the Training Center. 3 laypeople who have used these resources for home Christmas celebrations share their thoughts on what it means to Share Christmas with people in your community. They share insights, tips, and encouragement to Share Christmas outside the church walls.
About this Kit
This Birthday Party for Jesus Kit was prepared to help guide you through a fun Christmas event for children of all ages. It includes invitations, a few game options, a short message, a craft activity, and a closing prayer ... everything but the cake and ice cream! Remember that these are only guidelines, use as much or as little of this as you like.
Kit Contents:
Birthday Party for Jesus Invitation Template
Three Games: Christmas Bingo ... Sheets, Pictures, Circle Markers and Instructions
(Requires separate download of BingoSheets.pdf – Click on the Christmas Bingo picture below)
Pin the Tail on Mary’s Donkey
(Requires separate download of PintheTailPoster.pdf - – Click on the Pin the tail picture below)
What’s Missing? ... Game Instructions
The Christmas Story to Read Aloud and 4 Pictures to go along with the Story – Click on the Bible picture below to get the pictures.
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Share Christmas
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14(MSG)
Inviting our neighbors to come to us for worship is a very good thing. However, we believe Christians going into the neighborhood today might be even better; it is what God did on the very first Christmas. Share Christmas is a way to both invite others to join you and for you to share Jesus in your neighborhood in a way that is natural and hopefully not forced. We want to help every member of your church to live out the true meaning of Christmas and go into the neighborhood. We have developed easy to use kits for gatherings in your home for children and adults, as well as Advent Calendars for your church to use to impact the community with God's grace. Click here to find out more about the resources available. Click here to sign up for a free hour long webinar December 7 (7PM EST) that will allow you to connect with real people who have used these resources in their neighborhoods.
Riverside Presbyterian Church and the General Assembly Mission Council staff for Evangelism and Church Growth would like to invite you to join us and Presbyterians everywhere in an attempt to Share Christmas to those in your neighborhood who would not likely attend worship services at your church. Your congregation can be a part of a movement this Christmas that takes Christmas into the neighborhood as we Share Christmas.
Yours in Christ,
Brian Clark and Edwin Andrade
Pastors, Riverside Presbyterian Church
Shannon Kiser
Director of the Training Center for Innovative Church Leadership
Philip Lotspeich
Coordinator for Church Growth
Ray Jones
Coordinator for Evangelism
Craig Williams
Associate Western Office of Church Development
Eric Hoey
Director Evangelism and Church Development
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 (MSG)
This Christmas Christians will be inviting their neighbors to join them for worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas is the story of God coming in the flesh and going into the neighborhood. We have developed some simple kits and a webinar to help you and others in your church to follow Jesus into your neighborhood. Read More....
We will be hosting a FREE WEBINAR December 7 (7-8 PM EST) with real people who have used Share Christmas with their neighbors. Hear about what they have learned about hosting gatherings for adults, youth, and children...and ask your questions to these panelists. Click here to sign up for the webinar.
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You can help support and encourage the multiplication of faith communities through participation, giving, and prayer.
PARTICIPATE—by sending an individual or team to be equipped and trained for innovative ministry in your community
GIVE—you can donate online using Riverside’s secure online giving to support the work of the Training Center or to scholarship participants to attend training events
PRAY—pray that through these training events, leaders will return to their ministry context with an action plan and a vision for a Spirit-animated community and mission
Current Partners
General Assembly of the PCUSA, Office of Church Growth
Riverside Presbyterian Church