MILLENNIAL OUTREACH/CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1.  Worship Schedule

Q:  Where will the contemporary worship service be held?

A:  The contemporary worship service will be in the main sanctuary (not in Butler Chapel).  This location will be very convenient for parents as it is close to the nursery/preschool which will be relocated to the FLC. 

Q:  Will people attending both services meet together sometimes (Hispanics included)? 

A:  We will have special days when the church as a whole will meet together during our Sunday morning worship service. Days may include but are not limited to: Homecoming, holiday celebrations, church wide picnic days, etc.

Q:  Why can't the contemporary service be earlier (before the current Sunday School time) then all members could attend Sunday School together? 

A:  At the beginning of this process the Staff promised the membership that the millennial outreach would be an addition to our current schedule. This additional service schedule results in the least amount of change to our current schedule.

The schedule also keeps us from an early morning for some of our volunteers and families. If the contemporary service were at 8am then sound booth and some musicians would need to arrive at the church by 7am.  From current national surveys concerning the younger generation, we discovered the earlier hour (8am) may serve as a deterrent to some of those young adults we desire to reach.  This led us to the proposed schedule that we are recommending to the church.

Traditional/Blended Service (Current Schedule)

9:15am to 10:15am                    Bible Study Fellowship Groups

10:15am to 10:30am                  Transition/Coffee Fellowship

10:30am to 11:40am                 Worship

Proposed Contemporary Service Schedule

9:15am to 10:15am                    Worship

10:15am to 10:40am                  Transition/Coffee Fellowship

10:40am to 11:40am                  Bible Study Fellowship Groups

This schedule also results in the need to staff childcare for three hours (9am to noon) rather than four hours (8am to noon) on a Sunday morning.  This will result in a need for fewer volunteers and the shorter time period will result in less of a payroll expense.

This approach allows all church members to arrive and leave at the same times. If families have parents that prefer the traditional service and a student that prefers the contemporary service everyone can still attend at the same time as opposed to having one Sunday School in the middle of two services.

Closing Statement:  This proposed schedule means that people who desire to switch to the contemporary schedule would be attending a different Bible class than the one they are currently attending.  Those of us on the steering committee realize that no matter which schedule we  propose there are positives and negatives to each.  We have attempted to create a schedule that is in keeping with our original purpose which is to reach the younger millennial and buster generation for Christ. 

2.  Budget (Designated Account)

Q:  How will the additional service be funded?

A:  A $50,000 designated gift has been given to the church to fund the start up expenses for the contemporary service.  Included in that designated $50,000 will be the compensation for a temporary part-time praise leader.  This part-time position will extend for two years and three months, providing us with a strong start in launching this contemporary worship, and a chance to evaluate the effectiveness of this position.  We will make it very clear to that individual that this ministry is time sensitive (two years and three months) and at the end of that time period, the position will be terminated.  After that, the church can then determine whether or not God would have us to reinstate that position on a permanent basis or not.   

The complete budget for these funds will be included in the final presentation packet next Sunday.  It will cover things such as promotion/advertising, training materials, nursery, audio visual, etc. 

The bottom line is that the steering committee will not be require any funds from our general budget to launch this contemporary/outreach ministry.   

3.  Praise Team & Praise Band

Q:  What type of music will be played?

A:  We plan on a praise team rather than a choir. The team will lead the congregation in choruses usually termed Praise and Worship.  But bear in mind the target group for this service is our millennial and buster generation and their style of music will no doubt be a large part of the program music.  The choruses will be accompanied by various instruments which may include but not limited to: keyboard, drums, guitar, strings and wind instruments. Vocals should still be the dominant feature of the music.

Q:  What will the service be like; what can I expect?

A:  The praise team and instrumentalists will lead the musical worship. Drama and video will also supplement the worship experience.  It will be a very casual setting in both form and dress. 

Q:  Who is going to lead the service? What role will the youth play? 

A:  A part-time contemporary praise leader will be sought out who will bring a style comfortable for this worship.  The part-time contemporary praise leader will have the up-front role along with the team and instrumentalists. The team will not be limited by age, but come from a variety of age groups. The praise team will be selected from the singers and instrumentalists who audition to be part of this ministry.  Youth will be a part of the larger team and would be included in the audition.

Q:  How will the praise team and praise band be selected?

A:  Potential team members will audition for the team. This audition will be evaluated by the music leadership team and the part time contemporary praise leader.  In addition, we are inviting the worship leader from First Baptist Church of Pensacola to participate in the auditions (times and dates to be announced).

Q:  What role will our Minister of Worship have in the new contemporary worship service? 

A:  Dick Hamel, as the Minister of Worship, oversees the music ministry of the church. The part-time contemporary praise leader will report to Dick Hamel as his/her supervisor. The part- time contemporary praise leader will be someone in their young adult years. 

Q:  Who will preach during the contemporary worship service?

A:  Pastor Ron Lentine will be delivering the message each Sunday (both for the blended service and the contemporary service).  In his absence from time to time,  others will fill in. (edited 2/17/10)

4.  Nursery/Preschool Upgrade

Q:  Where will nursery and preschoolers meet on Tuesday nights for FAITH Evangelism?

A:  Babies and toddlers, as well as three-five year olds will have a dedicated room in the PLC after 3pm.

Q:  Where will parents park?

A:  Parking at FLC will be dedicated for parents of preschoolers.

Q:  How will parents be paged?

A:  Paging system will be moved to the FLC.

Q:  What classes will move to the PLC?

A:  Babies, toddlers, two-year olds, three-year olds, four-year olds, five-years olds; all preschool classes in present nursery will move.

Q:  Where will teachers store supplies and snacks?

A:  Locking storage cabinets will be added for Sunday School teachers in classrooms.

Q:  How will parents access the classrooms for drop off and pick up?

A:  All exterior doors will be locked except FLC lobby where children will be greeted and signed in and out.

Q:  Will doors have to remain closed in PLC classrooms.

A:  Door can be propped open but the goal is to have two adults in each classroom and keep doors closed.

Q:  Where will nursery toys be sanitized?

A:  There will be a sink in toddler and baby classroom for sanitizing toys with Clorox rinse.

Q:  How will the teachers get help in an emergency, such as power failure? 

A:  The teachers have cell phones and the building has emergency battery lighting in hallways.

5.  Coffee Fellowship Ministry

Q:  What is the coffee fellowship ministry?

A:   As most of you are aware, currently our Sunday School classes and departments serve coffee and refreshments in their classrooms in the beginning of their study hour.  The contemporary coffee fellowship ministry will provide a similar fellowship experience for its participants.  Instead of each Bible fellowship group providing a separate coffee fellowship station in their rooms they will have one central gathering place where their members will enjoy coffee and fellowship before their classes begin.

Q:  Will there be a charge for the coffee and refreshments?

A:   No, there will not be a charge.  This ministry will be funded by donations freely given by those who use it.  Donations will be used to offset the cost of the coffee and refreshments.

Q:  Where will the coffee fellowship ministry be located?

A:  Once the nursery/preschool is moved to the PLC facility, plans are to place the coffee fellowship ministry in that location along with several of our adult Bible fellowship groups in the contemporary schedule. 

Q:  Can members who are going to the current blended worship schedule use the contemporary coffee fellowship ministry when it is open?

A:  Yes, they certainly can.  This coffee fellowship area will be open to all members of the church.  The times of operation will be between 10:15am through 10:40am every Sunday.

6.  Children's Ministries

Q:  How will the children's schedule be effected?

A:  Preschoolers through Kindergarten will stay in the Nursery area the entire time for Bible learning activities and extended session. Children in grades 1-6 will attend Sunday School from 9:15am to 10:15am. Afterwards the children will go to the FLC for a period of snacks and recreation and from 10:40am to 11:40am children will attend Kidz All Starz.  

7.  Deacons, Yokefellows, Ushers

Q. Who will take up the offerings?

A:  At least two deacons or yokefellows will be present during the collection of offerings.  They will then deliver the offerings to the Sunday School secretary.  There may be special occasions that select groups (i.e. families, military/veterans, bible study groups, youth, etc.) may be asked to collect the offerings.  In all cases, there will be at least two deacons or yokefellows assigned to deliver the offerings to the Sunday School secretary.

Q:  How many ushers will there be?

A:  Judging by the number of church members who have expressed a desire to attend the contemporary service (approximately 100), no more than four (4) ushers will be needed, in the beginning.  As God continues to bless the service, the number can be adjusted.

Q:  Will the ushers have to wear a suit and tie?

A:  No.  Casual attire will be the norm; however, a suit and tie can be worn, if desired.

Q:  Who will serve The Lord’s Supper at the contemporary service?

A:  Just as in the current service, a deacon or yokefellow will serve The Lord’s Supper at the contemporary service.

02.17.10