Membership C.L.A.S.S. Process

Membership Classes
*Adapted from the model by Saddleback Church and described in "The Purpose Driven Church"Have you ever wanted to grow closer to Christ but just didn't know how?  The C.L.A.S.S. system structures our efforts for spiritual growth by helping us to be intentional.  It's not magic or perfect by any means but it gives us a process... a tool to use to assist and measure our commitment to Christ.

• C.L.A.S.S. 101 - Discovering Church Membership

• C.L.A.S.S. 201 - Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity

• C.L.A.S.S. 301 - Discovering My Ministry

• C.L.A.S.S. 401 - Discovering The Mission of Christ

Please contact the church office for more information:
(757) 258-1072 or email at: ntjoy@newtownumc.org

C.L.A.S.S. 101
Discovering Church Membership
"You are a member of God's very own family...and you belong to God's household with every other Christian."
Ephesians 2:19 (LB)

    CLASS 101 is the first of New Town UMC's basic courses designed to introduce and bring people into our Church Family.  But it's also for long time members who want to be intentional about their spiritual growth. 

Purpose: To Help you fulfill your calling from Jesus Christ.

Intent: The intent of this class is to clearly explain basic Biblical teachings about the Church, our United Methodist heritage, and give a glimpse of where New Town is going. We want you to catch the vision and come along.

    A paragraph from The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church expresses well the real reason behind Class 101. 

    "The people of God, who are the church made visible in the world, must convince the world of the reality of the gospel or leave it unconvinced.  There can be no evasion or delegation of this responsibility; the church is either faithful as a witnessing and serving community, or it loses its vitality and its impact on an unbelieving world."

In CLASS 101 you will discover:

• What it means to be a Christian

• The mission of New Town UMC 

• What it means to be a member

• Meaning of the Sacraments

• Our United Methodist heritage and structure
  (return)

Contact church office 
(757) 258-1072
www.newtownumc.org

C.L.A.S.S. 201
Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity
"Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit."
1 Timothy 4:7 (Phillips)

 CLASS 201 is the second of New Town UMC's basic classes.  The class focuses on the four basic habits every Christian needs to grow to spiritual maturity: Time in God's Word, Prayer, Tithing, and Fellowship.  

    This class will.....

• Equip you with skills you need to begin/grow in these habits.

• Explain the tools you need to continue these habits.

Purpose:   To help you develop the skills and habits necessary for spiritual growth.

"...that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God's will for you."
Colossians 4;12b (Phillips)

"We are not meant to remain as children...but to grow up in every way into Christ..."
Ephesians 4:14-15 (Phillips)

    In CLASS 201 you will discover:

• How to establish a daily quiet time

• How to pray effectively

• How to become a giving person

• How to develop close Christian friends
  (return)

Contact church office 
(757) 258-1072
www.newtownumc.org

C.L.A.S.S. 301
Discovering My Ministry
"God has given you each some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other..."
1 Peter 4:10 (LB)

CLASS 301 is the third of New Town UMC's basic classes.  Since these classes build on each other, it is required that we first attend New Town 101(membership) and New Town 201 (spiritual maturity) before taking this class.  We are convinced that we must first be committed to the habits for spiritual maturity before we are ready for ministry.  Membership and maturity are the foundation for ministry.

Purpose: 

"And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ."
Ephesians 4:11-12

The Goals of the class are:    

• To help you come to discover and understand the way that God has gifted you for ministry in this expression of the body of Christ known as New Town.

• That upon making this discovery you will understand how to be a good steward of the gifts the Holy Spirit entrusted to you by operating in them through the ministries of New Town UMC.

In CLASS 301 you will discover:

• How to fulfill God's purpose for you

• Your unique gifts, temperament and talents

• How to match your talents with specific ministries

• Places to serve in the New Town UMC family
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Contact church office 
(757) 258-1072
www.newtownumc.org

C.L.A.S.S. 401
Discovering The Mission of Christ
Sharing The Gospel Effectively
"But how shall they ask Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear unless someone tells them?
Romans 10:14 (LB)

 CLASS 401 is the fourth of New Town UMC's basic classes and is still under development.  The goal of CLASS 401 is to train and equip participants to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a real way.  This class will help you get past the stereotypes commonly associated with evangelism and faith sharing and discover your personal sharing style.  In a step-by-step model, participants will become more effective communicators for Christ to those around them.

Purpose:    To help you communicate your faith and the good news of Jesus Christ in a style that is personal and natural and therefore effective.

In CLASS 401 you will discover:

• How to build spiritually strategic relationships

• How to explain Biblical truths in everyday

• How to respond to the most common objections to Christianity

• How to discover your style for sharing the gospel in a comfortable and real way
  (return)

Contact church office 
(757) 258-1072
www.newtownumc.org