| Membership Care Training Conducted by Division and Union Leaders | | Email | Print |
Created dateAug 22, 2009 Last editSep 22, 2009 at 4:44 PM
by Barbara Savory; Source: Communication Department, barbara_savory@yahoo.com
[News]
Inter-American Division and Caribbean Union Officials
Visit Guyana to Conduct Training
Approximately 200 church officers of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries departments in Guyana Conference were privileged to attend a weekend seminar conducted by Directors of the Caribbean Union Conference and the Inter-American Division. Pastors Carlyle Bayne of the IAD and Samuel Telemaque of the Caribbean Union facilitated the Sabbath School Membership Care Workshop during August 7-9, 2009.
Participants at the Membership Care Workshop
The workshop highlighted the need for membership care and a biblical rationale for making this paramount to the functioning of the church was established. Further, it was emphasised that the care of members should focus on interpersonal relationships as well as on spiritual development. Effective membership care not only connects people, but also unites people with God.
Both facilitators engaged participants in spirited and enlightening discussions that emphasised the church’s care-giving role. It was posited that in order for members to grow and mature into serviceable Christians, certain basic needs must be considered. The church must therefore provide for believers’ need to pray, worship, serve, witness, and fellowship. The Sabbath School was sighted as an integral factor in the process of care-giving with the Sabbath School Class being a key player. Attention was placed on the function of the teacher. An entire session was devoted to the examination of teaching methods that help to facilitate membership growth and conservation. Those present were reminded that “Sabbath School teachers need to look to Jesus for wisdom in molding the minds of their scholars” (CSS p121). In addition, the need for, and the process of teacher preparation were examined along with various teaching methods. The Sabbath School Action Unit Plan was proposed as a major care-giving tool to be developed by the organisation which caters for the needs of the membership. All present were encouraged to implement it in their local congregations as a means of developing a body of symmetrically developed Christians.
 
Pastors Bayne (left) and Telemaque (right) facilitated the training
The training largely attracted the attendance of Elders, Sabbath School Superintendents, and Personal Ministries Leaders from across the Conference. At the end of the sessions, attendants committed themselves to ensuring the provision of quality care for the flock.
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