Everybody Welcome: The Course Where Everybody Helps Grow Their Church
£14.99 (Approx)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Everybody Welcome is a complete course to transform your church by improving your approach to newcomers. Believing that welcoming is a ministry for every member of the church, it offers guidance for your entire congregation and will help every individual play their part.
What do you get and how?
Leaders’ manual, members’ manual, DVD. 4 sessions (+ extra session for training welcome team). Available from Church House Publishing, including DVD sample.
Who is it for?
A whole-church course (adults and older youth). Most beneficial if run this way, but can include small groups
Cost?
Leaders’ manual: £14.99, members’ manual: £3.99, DVD: £24.99
Review
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What is the overall quality of the material?
Well-produced books and DVD. Great stuff.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Clearly set out and easy to follow through, thorough, with additional material on the website. Mathematical proof for the benefits of welcoming people to church growth statistics! Deeply encouraging.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Lots of inspiring pre-reading and extra material. Clear session outlines. Wide-ranging rationale.
Who could lead it?
Church leaders and those passionate about the subject
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Members get all the pre-reading and session outlines. Handouts used in discussion.
How good is any digital material?
Lively DVD clips which are interspersed during the sessions, to illustrate points and provoke discussion.
How much prep will I have to do?
Principles need understanding and taking on board for maximum benefit, but looks well worth it. Whole church lead-in would be best.
Is there website support? Links?
Extra material via www.everybodywelcome.org.uk (part of CHP website), e.g. supporting sermon notes
Is it dated?
Principles of hospitality will always be relevant. DVD shirts and hairstyles may date in time!
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Very good. Discussion and honest questions about the local church context.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Very good. Sessions have good pace and mix. Essentially practical.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
Relevant to any local church that wants to be welcoming. Anglican church context assumed, but principles are universal. Suitable for all sizes of church.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Very well, both in grappling with the issues and encouraging action plans.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Introductions only.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Introductory biblical basis for each session with brief comment
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Applied to topic: making church visible; making premises inviting; a welcoming God and his welcoming people; belonging to the church community; training a welcome team.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Anglican setting assumed, but adaptable.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
Common sense approach to doing church well for the benefit of the newcomer, based on Jesus' injunction to ‘make disciples of all nations' (Matthew 28.19). Potential to get everyone involved, using their gifts.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Obviously welcome-focused, but challenging to every church member.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Reasons for doing and being church are clearly explored.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Nitty-gritty, no-nonsense explorations of everything from pews and toilets, to handshakes and belonging to the Body of Christ.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
Very well. Practical ways for all to actually do it.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Engages with potential for church and community interaction.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not a focus
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not a focus. This is for the local church.