T.E.A.M.S. Serve
Our goal is not to get people to show up, but to grow up and go out to serve in existing classes or to start new classes to reach more people for Jesus. The leaders' job is to bring people into the class, build them up and send them out into service. The Bible study ministry is the largest organism in our church and should be the best resource for getting people involved in service. Unfortunately the model of many is to homestead a class, a room, a chair and the song "I shall not be moved." When classes in the largest organism in the church actively discourage members from moving into service, it is little wonder that 20 percent of church members are shouldering 80 percent of the workload. Too many people have been taught to sit and soak in and not to stand and serve.
T.E.A.M.S. Serve
Guidelines for the Class Service Coordinator
Necessary Gift: Service
Purpose: To intentionally find ways to encourage class members to use their spiritual gifts in other areas of the church, in the Bible study ministry, in new classes, and in ministries to reach unbelievers or make disciples.
Primary responsibilities:
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Receives reports about areas in the church that need workers.
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Discusses with the class the needs that come to his/her attention concerning serving in various areas of ministry within the Bible Study ministry and leads the class to pray for God to call out people from the class to meet these needs.
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Gives the appropriate leaders and staff members the names of individuals who have the passion, gifts, and personal style for areas needing ministry.
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Leads the class to commission members who are going to serve in other areas of the Bible study ministry on the Sunday before they leave to begin serving.
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Helps the New Class leader and class Missionaries' Leader do their work.
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Attends monthly Bible study T.E.A.M.S. meeting and annual training.
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Assists and supports the start of new classes.
Guidelines for the New Class Leader
Necessary Gift: Teaching
Purpose: To select a class Administrator and work with existing class leaders to prepare to start a new class.
Primary responsibilities:
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As the Teacher in Training, prepares to lead a new class by following the Teacher in Training guidelines.
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Meets with the class T.E.A.M.S. leaders to discuss the need to start a new class, and to select those from the T.E.A.M.S. leaders who will start the new class.
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Brings the need for a new class before the class to begin a time of prayer.
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Seeks help from the appropriate staff member to discover a place to meet.
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Has a commissioning service in class the day the members leave to begin the new class.
Guidelines for the Class Missionary Leader
Necessary Gift: Hospitality
Purpose: To guide the class to keep in touch with individuals who leave the classes to serve in other areas of the Bible study ministry. He/She makes certain these individuals, known as class missionaries, are kept in the fellowship loop of the class.
Primary responsibilities:
- Takes a photo of the missionaries in their new area of service, and places it on the Class Missionary Display Board.
- Makes the class aware of prayer needs these missionary members have.
- Leads the class to send cards or provide other gestures of hospitality that will encourage these who are serving outside their class.
- Is certain that these members are made aware of and invited to every fellowship activity of the class.
Many preschool, children, and student Bible study leaders claim they are burned out and need to return and be with adults. If classes properly care for those who leave the class to go and serve in other areas it extends their tenure in those other areas. It is important to serve and it is important that churches and classes appreciate those willing to serve.
