Information

The Core Of Missional Community

Many have asked for a primer on Thrive and what makes up the heart of missional community.  Attached is our six core elements.  You can download it here.

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Reminder - Conference Call Today

If you are looking to dig deeper into what we do and how we do it, we would like to invite you to a 60-90 minute conference call.

The first Tuesday of every other month at 12:00 PM PST, we will be holding a 60-90 minute conference call for those interested in knowing more about Thrive. This information session will provide you with a deeper understanding of our process, story and what it means to lead a group.

This call is for anyone who is interested in developing a missional discipleship approach in their community, home network, or church. This includes elders, leaders, small group community leaders, pastors, and those who want to follow Jesus in an intentional way.

Participation is by request. Just leave a comment or send us an email with your interest and we will provide you with instructions for joining us on the call. We also ask that you provide specific questions for the call, if you have them.

The next scheduled call is: August 4th, 2009, 12:00-1:30 PM PST

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Thrive Conference Call - August 4th

If you are looking to dig deeper into what we do and how we do it, we would like to invite you to a 60-90 minute conference call.

The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 PM PST, we will be holding a 60-90 minute conference call for those interested in knowing more about Thrive. This information session will provide you with a deeper understanding of our process, story and what it means to lead a group.

This call is for anyone who is interested in developing a missional discipleship approach in their community, home network, or church. This includes elders, leaders, small group community leaders, pastors, and those who want to follow Jesus in an intentional way.

Participation is by request. Just leave a comment or send us an email with your interest and we will provide you with instructions for joining us on the call. We also ask that you provide specific questions for the call, if you have them.

The next scheduled call is: August 4th, 2009, 12:00-1:30 PM PST

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Thrive Conference Call Today

We’re hosting our first conference call today.

This call is for anyone who is interested in developing a missional discipleship approach in their community, home network, or church.  This includes elders, leaders, small group community leaders, pastors, and those who want to follow Jesus in an intentional way.

Participation is by request. Just leave a comment or send us an email with your interest and we will provide you with instructions for joining us on the call. We also ask that you provide specific questions for the call, if you have them.

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A Space Of Grace

Are we creating a space where grace is actually true?

One of the central tenants of the way of Jesus is the idea of grace.  It’s the idea that no matter what we’ve done, the love of God remains true.  Yet it can often be hard to find spaces where grace is actually true, where we can step into the reality of our own brokenness without getting crushed by guilt and shame.

So often I am asked what a Thrive group really does.  Much of the journey is learning to communicate effectively what we do.  And the more I continue this process, the more I realize we are creating spaces where grace is actually true.

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Thrive Is On Facebook

If you use Facebook, there is now an official group for Thrive Ministries.  Click here to join so you can receive updates on events, meet other people who participate and get informed.

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The Leadership Experience

We are very pleased to finally announce our first leadership experience called, Come Follow Me.  This 2-day experience is for pastors, leaders, house church leaders, and small group community leaders who are  interested in taking the next step towards participating and leading others in the way of Jesus.

You can find the event information here.

You can download the brochure here.

This event is limited to the first 12 participants so get your registration in soon.

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Thrive Conference Call - July 7th

We are very excited to announce a new opportunity to dig deeper into what we do and how we do it.

The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 PM PST, we will be holding a 90 minute conference call for those interested in knowing more about Thrive.  This information session will provide you with a deeper understanding of our process, story and what it means to lead a group.

This call is for anyone who is interested in developing a missional discipleship approach in their community, home network, or church.  This includes elders, leaders, small group community leaders, pastors, and those who want to follow Jesus in an intentional way.

Participation is by request. Just leave a comment or send us an email with your interest and we will provide you with instructions for joining us on the call. We also ask that you provide specific questions for the call, if you have them.

The next scheduled call is: July 7th, 2009, 12:00-1:30 PM PST

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The Boot Camp Update

I just wanted to let everyone know we’re pretty close to announcing our Boot Camp dates for this year. It’s tentatively titled, “Creating Redemptive Community.” We’ll send an announcement out shortly and to everyone who has expressed interest. The Boot Camp is a two day experience on participating and leading a Thrive group. It is for both leaders and participants, and for those interested in what we are doing. You don’t have to be in a group to participate either.

If you would like to be put on the interest list, just send us an email.

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Check-In Questions

One of the more valuable spaces we learned to create was the process of check-in.  It’s the fourth part of the protocol that allows us to take 5-10 minutes really processing where we are at before moving ahead. With the exception of the first one, the questions change over time to address the focus of the quarter. Check-in requires us to slow down and really listen to our heart.  It requires us to really listen to the mood or story we are bringing to the group as opposed to just rushing right in.

We usually pick two questions, how we are checking in, and one other one, to share out loud to the group, but no storytelling. We also provide an emotions chart with definitions, which allows us to really process what emotions we are experiencing at the moment.  It really helps become emotionally aware.

A large part of spiritual formation is the process of becoming self-aware and learning to really listen to the heart, as opposed to just the head.  So much of the pain in life calls us to shut down the heart.  This process helps open it back up.

The round usually leads to some insight into each person that we didn’t know.  It allows us to seek what is at the heart level and if something really needs to come out in the work round.

Here is a sample of the check in questions. The workbooks have space to answer the question each week.

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3.02 - Reflection Questions

Instructions: Spend five to ten minutes reflecting on your own life and answer the following questions as honestly as you can.

1. How am I checking in?  Try to identify the story or mood that I am bringing to the group meeting.  How do I feel right now?  What emotion comes up (ex: happy, fearful, anxiety, angry, content)?  Briefly explain why.

2. How did I experience God this week?

3. How is God speaking to me?  Am I listening?

4. If I were to reflect on something in my life that is frustrating or not quite right I would look at (fill in answer).

5. What is one way I can begin to let God love me?

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