Still for the City Update
Fellowship Family,
We wanted to share some updates on progress we have experienced, by God’s grace, toward some of the focus areas we are emphasizing as a church. The full 3-year vision dream was shared at our Family Gathering in May, and updates provided in our most recent Family Gathering on August 20.
May 21-August 19, 2023
Governance Coaching
On June 2-3, the Elder Team and some staff members met with Keith Twigg from the Slingshot Group to develop an Elder Handbook. The goal of the handbook is to provide clear elder expectations for both Fellowship Memphis and the Elder Team. Over the course of 12+ hours, prayer and discussion led the Elder Team to some clarity regarding decision making grids, healthy meeting structures, staff interaction, as well as general policies and procedures. Over the next month, these pieces will be posted on our website as a living document where changes can be made as needed. The desire is that the completed handbook will provide a better understanding for prospective and active Elders of how to best serve Fellowship Memphis
Harding Care Plan
July 1, Britton Wakefield began his new role as the Interim Harding Campus Pastor. Along with the leadership Britton will provide at Fellowship’s Harding Campus, two additional Elders were temporarily stationed at Harding to provide another layer of care for the people. Elder contact has also been made with Small Group Circle leaders at Harding and there have been several very positive times of questions and answers with individual Elders and leaders. As we continue to seek the Lord’s desires for a Lead Pastor candidate, Britton, the Harding Staff team, and Harding leadership will continue to be available for support and care that is needed.
Elder/Staff Interaction
Intentional times of Staff and Elder interaction were scheduled for May-August. The goal of these times together is to rebuild trust and open communication between the Staff and Elder Team. Prior to three of the recent combined campus services, many from the Staff and Elder Team had a time of confession and prayer together. The Elder Team attended one of the June Monday Staff meeting times to participate with the Staff in a nurture group (a time focused on connecting through intentional activities). At the end of the time together, Staff and Elders described how they felt trust growing and some communication barriers being broken down. Two “no agenda” cookouts have been provided for Staff, Elders, and families to continue building deeper relationships with the hope of having a stronger relational foundation for leading and communicating with each other and the Fellowship Memphis body.
Prayer and Worship Gatherings
Several in-home prayer and worship opportunities have been provided during the months of May, June, and July. These have been fruitful times of collectively listening to the Spirit and responding. Each opportunity has taken on its own unique structure, but the focus on prayer has been the common thread. If you would like to participate in an upcoming Prayer and Worship gathering, click HERE for location and date details. Three corporate prayer services were scheduled for the summer months. During these Sunday services, corporate prayer replaced the normal preaching moment of the service. Together we will offer prayers of petition and praise for what God is doing among us individually and corporately. Prayer Points are being updated regularly and can be found HERE.
As we celebrate 20 years of the Lord’s faithfulness to us as a church this year and look forward to the new season of ministry ahead of us it is our prayer and desire that we glorify the Lord by:
seeking the transforming presence and power of Godin our individual lives and corporate gatherings so that we are becoming disciples of Jesus who model Jesus well and make disciples (Isa. 6:1-8; Jer. 29:11-13; Mt. 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 10:31-11:1)
being more attuned to and humbly obeying the Holy Spirit’s promptings for the path ahead while being indifferent to everything else (Isa. 30:21; 1 Kings 19:11-13; Prov. 16:1-4; Rom. 12:2; Gal. 5:25)
actively seeking ways to include and bring you our Body along on this journey toward the 3-Year dream (and beyond) for our church and city – “Being Still forthe City”! (2 Chron. 7:14; Acts 20:22-24; John 13:34-35)
