Coptic Orthodox Coptic Orthodox Church MissionChurch MissionVision, Mission, & StrategyVision, Mission, & Strategy

Building a Healthy ChurchBuilding a Healthy ChurchFrom Member to MissionaryFrom Member to Missionary

To become a Healthy To become a Healthy ChurchChurch

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Bring In

• Loving Church

• Catechism Course

Daily Life in the Church

• Lively Worship

• Dynamic Teaching

• Family Counseling

• Discipleship programs

• Theological School

Send Out

• Evangelism Programs

New Member – New Member – Bring InBring In

Mature Member

Missionary

Bring In

• Loving Church

• Accepting/Welcoming Others

• Visitations of New Members

• Agape Church Events

• Catechism Course

• Basic Church Beliefs

• Christian Principles (Prayer, Bible)

• Understanding Church goals & mission

• Evaluation for Baptism

New Member

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurch

Mature Member

MissionaryNew Member

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurch

• Welcoming Committee MembersWelcoming Committee Members• At least 3 members in the committee based on size of the churchAt least 3 members in the committee based on size of the church• Members need to arrive at the church on time before the ServiceMembers need to arrive at the church on time before the Service• Need a welcoming attitudeNeed a welcoming attitude

• Social Responsibilities for the Welcoming CommitteeSocial Responsibilities for the Welcoming Committee• At the door to give new members liturgy booksAt the door to give new members liturgy books• Show them to their seatsShow them to their seats• Publicly welcome the new person after the Liturgy- Announce their Publicly welcome the new person after the Liturgy- Announce their

name and where they are fromname and where they are from• Sit with new members and do the followingSit with new members and do the following

• Talk about the churchTalk about the church• Share church scheduleShare church schedule• Give small icons with storiesGive small icons with stories• Provide pamphlet on the Coptic ChurchProvide pamphlet on the Coptic Church• Retain contact information in a sign up book to follow up by SMS Retain contact information in a sign up book to follow up by SMS

or other meansor other means• Update a notice board located next to the church door with the Update a notice board located next to the church door with the

upcoming week’s activities and scheduleupcoming week’s activities and schedule

Accepting/Welcoming ChurchAccepting/Welcoming Church

• Welcoming Committee - Spiritual ResponsibilitiesWelcoming Committee - Spiritual Responsibilities• Meet once a weekMeet once a week• Share together in the bibleShare together in the bible• Prepare for the following week program in churchPrepare for the following week program in church• Following up with the new members and visitorsFollowing up with the new members and visitors

• ResourcesResources• Each church must have enough liturgy books for all literate Each church must have enough liturgy books for all literate

members of the congregationmembers of the congregation• Pictures of icons and church pamphlets should be obtained Pictures of icons and church pamphlets should be obtained

from a designated resources office. The committee will be from a designated resources office. The committee will be responsible for making sure there is always enough.responsible for making sure there is always enough.

• Each church will have a book of records to record names, Each church will have a book of records to record names, contact info, date of first visit to the churchcontact info, date of first visit to the church

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchAccepting/Welcoming ChurchAccepting/Welcoming Church

• Purpose of VisitationsPurpose of Visitations• To know and discover members more intimately To know and discover members more intimately • To have a presence in the communityTo have a presence in the community• To link the church and the homeTo link the church and the home• Church members have requested to be visitedChurch members have requested to be visited• Comfort the sickComfort the sick• To show the church loves and caresTo show the church loves and cares• To monitor membersTo monitor members

• The following groups of people will be visited:The following groups of people will be visited:• Sunday SchoolSunday School• YouthYouth• New membersNew members• Compound peopleCompound people

• Visitation Committee MembersVisitation Committee Members• Have a heart of serviceHave a heart of service• Responsible for recruiting a team to go for visitationsResponsible for recruiting a team to go for visitations• Team should be aware of local culture before visitationTeam should be aware of local culture before visitation

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchVisitationsVisitations

• Visitations will be conducted in the following mannerVisitations will be conducted in the following manner• Should open with a prayerShould open with a prayer• Speaker(s) should be prepared in advanceSpeaker(s) should be prepared in advance• A general curriculum should be set based on one of the 5 A general curriculum should be set based on one of the 5

pillars of a good church (put here)pillars of a good church (put here)• Get feedback on visitation from servantGet feedback on visitation from servant• Get a record of which areas are being visitedGet a record of which areas are being visited• Take cards on church celebrations (e.g. Christmas, Take cards on church celebrations (e.g. Christmas,

Easter, New Years)Easter, New Years)• Always carry pamphlets on the church for new members Always carry pamphlets on the church for new members

who attendwho attend• Remind or let people know about schedules of church Remind or let people know about schedules of church

servicesservices• Start a new focus on compound people (Doctors and Start a new focus on compound people (Doctors and

local missionaries)local missionaries)• Transport challenges need to be addressedTransport challenges need to be addressed

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchVisitationsVisitations

• Visitations Committee ResponsibilitiesVisitations Committee Responsibilities• Meet weeklyMeet weekly• Prayer meeting and bible sharingPrayer meeting and bible sharing• Prepare for the weekPrepare for the week• Ensure all resources are availableEnsure all resources are available• Follow upFollow up

• ResourcesResources• Pictures of icons, crosses, and church Pictures of icons, crosses, and church

pamphlets should be obtained from a pamphlets should be obtained from a designated resources office. The designated resources office. The committee will be responsible for making committee will be responsible for making sure there is always enough.sure there is always enough.

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchVisitationsVisitations

• Agape Committee MembersAgape Committee Members• Must have good communication skillsMust have good communication skills• Must be creative peopleMust be creative people

• Agape meal for all people after liturgy. Love Agape meal for all people after liturgy. Love & Fellowship together.& Fellowship together.

• Every 3 months, each parish should organize Every 3 months, each parish should organize a spiritual day (1 day). A committee needs a spiritual day (1 day). A committee needs to be in charge of this and should always be to be in charge of this and should always be new servants. The day will feature:new servants. The day will feature:

• DramaDrama• CompetitionCompetition• GamesGames• Teaching liturgyTeaching liturgy• AgapeAgape• ChoirChoir

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchAgape & Church EventsAgape & Church Events

• Every 6 months, each parish / church should organize Every 6 months, each parish / church should organize an open house to (1 day):an open house to (1 day):

• Explain the church (etc) Explain the church (etc) • Teaching LiturgyTeaching Liturgy• Support church members in selling their talentsSupport church members in selling their talents

• Yearly national church gathering of leaders (3 days)Yearly national church gathering of leaders (3 days)• Teaching LiturgyTeaching Liturgy• Choir competitionChoir competition• Drama competitions with a focus on a pre-defined virtueDrama competitions with a focus on a pre-defined virtue• Focus on a character in the bibleFocus on a character in the bible

• ResourcesResources• Coordinate with the different classes / ministries (e.g. Coordinate with the different classes / ministries (e.g.

choir, Sunday school, etc.)choir, Sunday school, etc.)• Each parish should collect from the congregation to be Each parish should collect from the congregation to be

able to put on these spiritual days with help with mother able to put on these spiritual days with help with mother church.church.

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurchAgape & Church Events – Move to EvangelismAgape & Church Events – Move to Evangelism

New Member – New Member – Loving Loving ChurchChurch RecommendationsRecommendations

• All Committees should be chosen based on the All Committees should be chosen based on the following criteria:following criteria:• Commitment & punctualityCommitment & punctuality• Leaders of committees should have completed or currently Leaders of committees should have completed or currently

attending the pre-servants courseattending the pre-servants course• All members of the committees should have completed the All members of the committees should have completed the

catechism coursecatechism course• Once a month, the committee leader will provide the priest Once a month, the committee leader will provide the priest

with an update on their activitieswith an update on their activities• At Yearly conference committees from the different church At Yearly conference committees from the different church

to discuss achievements and challengesto discuss achievements and challenges• At each event discussed above there should be a sign up At each event discussed above there should be a sign up

book for follow upbook for follow up• Each Church or Parish will be required to fill out a report on Each Church or Parish will be required to fill out a report on

all Church events for evaluation.all Church events for evaluation.

New Member-New Member-CatechismCatechism CourseCourse

• The Basis of the course:The Basis of the course:• … … You are a member of God’s very own family and you You are a member of God’s very own family and you

belong in God’s household with every other Christian belong in God’s household with every other Christian (Ephesians 2:19)(Ephesians 2:19)

• The goal of this course:The goal of this course:• … … that I will commit myself to our lord and savior Jesus that I will commit myself to our lord and savior Jesus

Christ and the Church family.Christ and the Church family.• Who will be responsible to conduct the Catechism Who will be responsible to conduct the Catechism

course?course?• Priest or trained deaconPriest or trained deacon

• Duration of the Catechism CourseDuration of the Catechism Course• Meeting once per week for a total of 4 weeks at 1hr per Meeting once per week for a total of 4 weeks at 1hr per

weekweek• Week 5 a test to be givenWeek 5 a test to be given

Mature Member

MissionaryNew Member

New Member-New Member- Catechism Catechism Course Cont…..Course Cont…..

• What will the Catechism Course Cover?What will the Catechism Course Cover?• ““what is the meaning of life” or “Purpose”? what is the meaning of life” or “Purpose”?

• Why Am I Here:Why Am I Here:• God made me to love meGod made me to love me• Created to enjoy aCreated to enjoy a personal relationship with Godpersonal relationship with God

• What is the Coptic Orthodox Church?What is the Coptic Orthodox Church?• Church of Apostles Church of Apostles • Church HistoryChurch History• Church Belief & DoctrineChurch Belief & Doctrine• 7 Sacraments7 Sacraments• SalvationSalvation• Saints Saints

• Christian Principles and Practice• Ten Commandments• Sermon on the Mountain• Daily reading of Holy Bible• Life of Prayer• Tithing• Evangelism• Fasting

New Member-New Member-CatechismCatechism

• Criteria for BaptismCriteria for Baptism• Completed Catechism courseCompleted Catechism course• Follow up on daily Christian life by the Father or Servant conducting Follow up on daily Christian life by the Father or Servant conducting

coursecourse• One must deny the world and accept the LordOne must deny the world and accept the Lord• He must be committed as evidence of his conversion and able to show He must be committed as evidence of his conversion and able to show

signs of repentancesigns of repentance• DurationDuration

• The time of baptism will depend on the evaluation of the presiding The time of baptism will depend on the evaluation of the presiding priestpriest

• Children should obtain the written consent from the guardians or Children should obtain the written consent from the guardians or parents before baptismparents before baptism

• Orphans and vulnerable children who have no guardians should be Orphans and vulnerable children who have no guardians should be given Godfather or Godmothergiven Godfather or Godmother

• Names of the Catechumen should written down and be announce in the Names of the Catechumen should written down and be announce in the church before baptismchurch before baptism

• We recommend that a person should be baptized after 6 months to 1 We recommend that a person should be baptized after 6 months to 1 year.year.

Mature Member – Mature Member – Daily LifeDaily Life

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Lively Worship

• Liturgy, Praise, & Overnight Prayer

• Dynamic Teaching

• Reading Programs

• Preaching Techniques

• Bible Studies

• Family Counseling

• Discipleship programs

• Pre-Servant/Servant Curriculum

• Spiritual Retreats

• Transform Servant to Image of Christ

• Small groups to disciple church

• Theological School

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member – Mature Member – Lively Lively WorshipWorship

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Lively Worship

• Liturgy

• Praise & Worship

• Prayer (Overnight)

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member- Mature Member- Lively Church Lively Church LiturgyLiturgy

• Liturgy BooksLiturgy Books

• A uniform Liturgy book that can be used by all Churches. They will be A uniform Liturgy book that can be used by all Churches. They will be translated into the preferred language for each Church. They will translated into the preferred language for each Church. They will include explanations of what is happening in the Liturgy, pictures of the include explanations of what is happening in the Liturgy, pictures of the journey of Christ through the Liturgy, when to sit, bow and stand, etc.journey of Christ through the Liturgy, when to sit, bow and stand, etc.

• Explanation of the LiturgyExplanation of the Liturgy

• The Priest will provide a short explanation of a specific part of the The Priest will provide a short explanation of a specific part of the LiturgyLiturgy

• Priest Preparation for Liturgy Priest Preparation for Liturgy

• Priests will prepare their hearts the night before the Liturgy by Priests will prepare their hearts the night before the Liturgy by spending time alone with God, studying the readings deeply, and spending time alone with God, studying the readings deeply, and praying for the hearts of the people in the Churchpraying for the hearts of the people in the Church

• Deacon Training & Preparation for Liturgy Deacon Training & Preparation for Liturgy

• Deacons will prepare their hearts the night before the Liturgy by Deacons will prepare their hearts the night before the Liturgy by reading the Bible readings, songs and prayer for an open heart. Priests reading the Bible readings, songs and prayer for an open heart. Priests will teach the deacons the true spirit and beauty of praising God will teach the deacons the true spirit and beauty of praising God through the Liturgythrough the Liturgy

Mature Member- Mature Member- Lively Church Lively Church Liturgy Cont…Liturgy Cont…

• Teach the People the True Meaning of Praising God Teach the People the True Meaning of Praising God • Teach the people that every single person is needed to Teach the people that every single person is needed to

participate in the Liturgy with their whole hearts. Also, teach participate in the Liturgy with their whole hearts. Also, teach the true spirit and beauty of praising God through the Liturgy.the true spirit and beauty of praising God through the Liturgy.

• Include the People in the Bible Readings Include the People in the Bible Readings • List the Bible readings on a blackboard outside and inside the List the Bible readings on a blackboard outside and inside the

Church. Invite the people to follow along in their Bibles or Church. Invite the people to follow along in their Bibles or read their Bibles when they get homeread their Bibles when they get home

• Add Music to the Liturgy Responses Add Music to the Liturgy Responses • Add lively tunes and instruments to the responses in the Add lively tunes and instruments to the responses in the

LiturgyLiturgy• Explanation of the Connection between the Liturgy ReadingExplanation of the Connection between the Liturgy Reading

• During the Sermon, the Priest will include the common theme During the Sermon, the Priest will include the common theme in all the Liturgy readings in all the Liturgy readings

• Teach the Symbolism of the Liturgy Teach the Symbolism of the Liturgy • In the meetings after the Liturgy, the Priest will visit each In the meetings after the Liturgy, the Priest will visit each

meeting and explain the symbolism of a specific part of the meeting and explain the symbolism of a specific part of the LiturgyLiturgy

Mature Member- Mature Member- Lively Church Lively Church Praise & FellowshipPraise & Fellowship

• Praise & Worship Team Praise & Worship Team • This team is the first to arrive at the Liturgy This team is the first to arrive at the Liturgy

and all Church events. They warm up the and all Church events. They warm up the Church and the people with music and songChurch and the people with music and song

• Spiritual Sundays Spiritual Sundays • Have special Sundays where after the Liturgy, Have special Sundays where after the Liturgy,

the people come together in fellowship to have the people come together in fellowship to have food, participate in activities & share food, participate in activities & share testimonies. This invitation will be extended to testimonies. This invitation will be extended to non-Church members non-Church members

Mature Member- Mature Member- Lively Church Lively Church PrayerPrayer

• Praise & Prayer DayPraise & Prayer Day• An open invitation to come and sing songs with drums, An open invitation to come and sing songs with drums,

pray together for the things we need, pray for the sick, pray together for the things we need, pray for the sick, hear a 15 minute sharing and listen to testimonies hear a 15 minute sharing and listen to testimonies

• Tasbeha (Midnight Praises)Tasbeha (Midnight Praises)• This is a night of Vesper Prayers and Doxologies in the This is a night of Vesper Prayers and Doxologies in the

local languages, a short Bible study and contemplationlocal languages, a short Bible study and contemplation• Overnight Prayer Meeting Overnight Prayer Meeting

• A theme will be chosen (eg repentance, God’s will, the A theme will be chosen (eg repentance, God’s will, the mission). The Church will pray for the theme. A movie mission). The Church will pray for the theme. A movie that reflects the theme will be shown. The Church will that reflects the theme will be shown. The Church will share a tea and bread. The meeting will end in a share a tea and bread. The meeting will end in a Liturgy.Liturgy.

• Servants Prayer Meeting Servants Prayer Meeting • The servants will come together to hear a teaching, The servants will come together to hear a teaching,

allocate duties, review past and coming weeks, pray allocate duties, review past and coming weeks, pray and share testimonies.and share testimonies.

Mature Member - Dynamic Mature Member - Dynamic TeachingTeaching

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Dynamic Teaching

• Reading Programs (Hosea 4:6)

• We need every church to have a library equipped with books and reading materials.

• Reading system must be set up (summarizing a book once a month by the reader)

• Magazines and the Newsletter of the church should be printed

• Reading & study of the Bible should be encouraged in the church

• The reader should be updated with the news of the days

• The reader should make his own personal library. (The best reader should be rewarded and the careless should be punished to encourage seriousness)

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member - Dynamic Mature Member - Dynamic TeachingTeaching

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Dynamic Teaching• Preaching

• Preparation:

a. Prayer (Seeking The message from God)

b. Allocate time to sit and research from different books

c. Giving of the message in a summarized manner

d. Learning personally the message before giving it to the people

• Content of message

a. Focus on Church Calendar year

b. Know your Audience

c. Be Creative

d. Have good presentation

e. Application should be relevant

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member - FamilyMature Member - Family

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Family Counseling

• Pre-marital program to prepare couple before marriage

• Marriage Counseling to strengthen relationship

• Training parents to raise their child in the Lord

• Seminar on helping parents to understand their children

• Understanding the teenager and youth issues

• How to handle alcohol and drug abuse in the families

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member - Mature Member - DiscipleshipDiscipleship

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Discipleship Program

• Pre-Servant Curriculum

a. 2 year program to prepare potential servants to be servants

b. Meeting once/week for 2 hours to prepare

• Spiritual Retreats

a. Goal is to retreat for a weekend to spark spiritual life of believer

b. Retreats for all ages including servants

• Servant Meetings – Curriculum to keep servant growing weekly

• Servant Evaluation – Tracking servant spirituality on monthly basis to help keep them on track to be Image of Christ

• Small Groups – Mechanism in which 6-8 people meet together to be discipled

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member – DiscipleshipMature Member – Discipleship Image of a servant-servant Image of a servant-servant

evaluationevaluation

• Spirituality of servantSpirituality of servant• Daily Prayer and Quite timeDaily Prayer and Quite time• Daily Bible readingDaily Bible reading• Reading spiritual booksReading spiritual books• Attending weekly Liturgies earlyAttending weekly Liturgies early• Should make every effort to attend at least one liturgy during Should make every effort to attend at least one liturgy during

the weekthe week• Visitations at least once every two weeks Visitations at least once every two weeks

• Examine himselfExamine himself• Living Gods word in your daily lifeLiving Gods word in your daily life• Daily RepentanceDaily Repentance• Confession at least every 6-8 weeksConfession at least every 6-8 weeks

• Evaluation from the priestEvaluation from the priest• Commitment in the above mentioned topicsCommitment in the above mentioned topics• Through the servants obedience to the service and to the Through the servants obedience to the service and to the

fathersfathers• Servants flexibility to serve where neededServants flexibility to serve where needed

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Daily Life in the ChurchImage of a Servant

Mature Member – DiscipleshipMature Member – Discipleship through Small Groups through Small Groups

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Small Groups

• What is small groups?

a. A small family of between 6-8 people with one leader

b. Should be the same gender and age or married couples

c. A small group leader will meet the group weekly

d. Goal = To disciple the members of the group

e. Format = Prayer, Bible Sharing, Book about topic related to group

f. The groups stays accountable for each other through prayer and visitation

g. Leader is a guide and friend, not strict teacher

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member – DiscipleshipMature Member – Discipleship through Small Groups through Small Groups

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Small Groups

• Why small groups? (Benefits)

a. Through this discipleship group we create devoted followers of Jesus

b. Church members begin to feel accepted in the church community as a family

c. Members offer confidentiality and support while transformation is happening

d. Members can encourage each other to make decisions through prayer

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member – DiscipleshipMature Member – Discipleship through Small Groups through Small Groups

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

• Small Groups• How to Start Small groups as a church?

a. Announce to leaders (servants, deacons) and explain small groups

b. Announce for 3 weeks about small groups in the church and have sign up cards

c. Youth age and below should have parent/guardian approval

d. The church will organize the people signed up into groups and assign leader

e. Leaders should be trained and receive curriculum for group

f. Once Leader gets his group names, he/she will contact them and organize weekly meeting

g. Meet at various members home to make it more personal

h. Leader will evaluate the meeting every month and make any changes necessary

i. As new members come into the church, they can placed into an existing group

Daily Life in the Church

Mature Member – Theological Mature Member – Theological SchoolSchool

• Theological School

• 2 year program (Boarding)

• Theology, Bible, & Mission Training

• Practical Application

• Preparing future leaders and missionaries to lead areas or projects

• Transform life of leader

Mature Member

Missionary

Daily Life in the Church

New Member

Missionary – Send OutMissionary – Send Out

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Send Out

• Evangelism Programs

Missionary – Send OutMissionary – Send Out

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Send Out

• Evangelism Programs

• What is Evangelism?

• It means reach out to men and women even children and the youth who do not have a relation with the lord to bring them to have that personal relationship.

• Thereby fulfilling the great Commission according Matthew 28:19.

Missionary – Send OutMissionary – Send Out

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Send Out

Evangelism ProgramsHow to Start?

• Every local Church should identify Servants/deacons who will be trained to be on the evangelism team and reporting to the priests

• And every local church should report to the Evangelism Steering Committee monthly

• Ushers should be well trained to follow up with people who from evangelism events

• Organize literature material such as pamphlets• All members of the church have to support to

Evangelism events• Invite International guest speakers who are orthodox

priests

Target areas• The market place, The slums, The communities in the

rural areas, Universities & colleges and secondary schools, primary schools.

What every member needs to What every member needs to dodo

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Bring In

1. Complete Catechism Course

Daily Life in the Church

2. Weekly Worship Services

3. Sign up for Small group

4. Attend Spiritual Retreats

5. Pre-Servant Course

6. Servant Meetings

7. Theological School

Send Out

8. Evangelism Team

Steering Committee LeaderSteering Committee Leader

New Member Mature Member

Missionary

Bring In

• Loving Church• Fr Timothy• Mena Attwa

• Catechism Course• Fr Mark

Daily Life in the Church

• Lively Worship • Fr Joshua• Grace Attwa

• Dynamic Teaching• Fr Thomas

• Family Counseling• Fr Abraham

• Discipleship programs• Pre-Servant -Fr

Joseph• Servant-Father

Jacob• Small Group-Dalia

Fam• Retreats – Fr. Elisha

• Theological School• Fr Elisha

Send Out

• Evangelism Programs • Fr Bishoy