Faith Formation at First Broad Street United Methodist Church
GROW Ministries

“My little children, I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
Galatians 4: 19

The GROW ministries at First Broad Street United Methodist Church seek to equip the people of God for kingdom living. Through informational and formational experiences and opportunities, staff and volunteers strive to create an educational and spirit-filled framework within which God transforms non-believers into believers, believers into members, and members into disciples.

Children’s Ministry:

Children are special people at FBSUMC, and we endeavor to cooperate with parents in bringing up each child in the love and nurture of the Lord. These early experiences of church are very important in a child’s faith development. The Children’s ministries at FBSUMC want to support and encourage parents as they seek spiritual training for their children in these formative years.

Infant through four-year-old children experience God’s love through story and song, art and play, and strong, loving adults who model God’s care for them.

Children in Kindergarten through 4^th grade experience Bible stories through rotational workshops in art, science, cooking, drama, video and storytelling. For five weeks at a time, children are immersed in a Bible story and experience that story in five different ways. With such focused attention, children not only know the story, but the story forms a basis for belief and practice far beyond childhood.

FBSUMC’s children’s worship opportunity, “Godly Play,” utilizes experiential activities that cooperates with a child’s innate sense of awe and mystery to engage children in the worship of God. “Godly Play” encourages meaningful interaction between Biblical texts and playful experience, and forms a connection between God’s story and the life of the child.

Special activities throughout the school year emphasizes Christ-like fellowship and fun, where friendships develop and community is nurtured. Vacation Bible School and Buffalo Mountain Day Camp nurture children’s faith throughout the summer months.

Upper Elementary and Youth Ministries:

Fifth graders at FBSUMC are beginning the transition from child to teen, and Sunday school curriculum and activities are designed to challenge and expand their understanding of God, Christ, community and self. Confirmation occurs in the 6^th grade year, and culminates with an opportunity for students to make their own decision about following Christ. Middle school and high school students meet on Sunday mornings for Biblical instruction. During the week, there are opportunities for topical Bible studies at church or in homes. On Sunday evenings, youth meet for activities that build character, have occasions for table fellowship, and enjoy group – building games.

Throughout the year, youth are involved in mission projects that challenge their comfort zones even as they contribute significantly to revitalizing marginal neighborhoods. Retreats and special events continue the formational process toward spiritual maturity, and lots of creative and affirming playfulness and fellowship round out this important ministry.

Adult Sunday School and Bible Study:

With over twenty regular Sunday school classes, as well as long- and short-term Bible studies throughout the year, adults at FBSUMC will find warm welcomes, challenging and topical Bible study, and places of service. Adult classes form the backbone of the church, and the life experiences and spiritual wisdom that undergirds kingdom living is celebrated, even as the journey toward knowing God continues. Opportunities for training and service occur throughout the year, including mentoring Confirmands, worship leadership, and church administration.

Christian Fellowship for Singles (CFS) is an adult fellowship that provides single adults an opportunity for fellowship and growth every week. Regular trips and holiday celebrations deepens this supportive and caring community on the faith journey.

Forever Young Ministries endeavors to challenge and nurture older adults through a variety of intentional ministries that meet their spiritual, physical, social and educational needs. FBSUMC recognizes the deep wisdom and spiritual energy of older adults and honors their ongoing faithful contribution to this faith community. Regular meetings for meals and fellowship, as well as smaller, interest-based groups provide a rich resource for older adults and for the church. Live Wires and Grief Recovery are specialized ministries for our home-bound members, and those in our church and community that have experienced loss and grief. 

First Broad Street Child Care Center:

First Broad Street Child Care Center rejoices in its ministry to children and parents in the Kingsport community for over six decades. The quality of care that children receive in the early formative years is directly linked to their ability to flourish as students and citizens in later life. FBSUMC Child Care Center offers full-day care as well as after-school care in a loving, Christian environment.

The GROW Ministries also sponsor Wednesday Nighters, the mid-week opportunity for this faith community to make new friends, share a meal with one another and enjoy enlightening and informative programs that enrich our common life together in Christ.

Church-wide events such as the Annual Picnic and Christian Education Weekend provide additional avenues for learning and fun. Guest speakers enlarge the “tool box” for teaching and leading in the many facets of the GROW Ministry.

Staff on the GROW team collaborate with other church ministries to provide a depth of programming that continues to empower, enlighten and encourage all the members of FBSUMC to live a life of faith, reflecting the hope and promise of Christ’s abiding presence in our world.

“Glorifying God through knowing Christ and making him known.”

 

 

"This is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight..."

Philippians 1: 9

"Christian formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others."  
    Robert Mulholland, Jr. Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation.

Being formed as a disciple of Christ is a lifelong process where God takes us where we are, loves us and brings us to where we need to be.  Prayer, worship, study, communion and conferencing (spiritual direction) are avenues of formation that John Wesley identified, and that have been used by disciples and seekers in the Christian tradition for many centuries.

As an aid to study and worship, many churches utilize the Revised Common Lectionary as a tool for reading and meditating on scripture.  Revised Common Lectionary readings for each week are provided below as well as a link to future readings. 

Revised Common Lectionary
Trinity Sunday
Sunday, May 18, 2008

Genesis 1: 1 - 2: 4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13: 11 - 13
Matthew 28: 16 - 20

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Genesis 6: 11 - 22
Psalm 46
Romans 1: 16 - 17; 3: 22b - 28
Matthew 7: 21 - 29


Sunday, June 1, 2008

Genesis 12: 1 - 9
Psalm 33: 1 - 12
Romans 4: 13 - 25
Matthew 9: 9 - 13, 18 - 26


Sunday, June 8, 2008

Genesis 18: 1 - 15
Psalm 116: 1 - 2, 12 - 19
Romans 5: 1 8
Matthew 9:35 - 10: 8


http://divinity.library.
vanderbilt.edu/lectionary/