Archive for the ‘SageWorks’ Category

Sage (n): someone who has wisdom and life experience to share with others

Whether you’re a Fellowship legacy from the early years and have had the privilege of soaking in Bill Parkinson’s teaching on numerous occasions, a Kirk Road newcomer, or an online webcast watcher of Bill’s sermon streams, your heart no doubt felt the twinge of bittersweet joy on February 22, 2009, when Bill Parkinson announced that his ministry focus was evolving from teaching pastor to launching a new ministry. Bill’s relational teaching style consistently draws upon lifechange stories to illustrate straightforward biblical truth and easily transitions to a ministry centered on relational connections among members of our church body—the ministry of SageWorks. The SageWorks congregation, those who are 55+, have a passion for sharing wisdom in eternally significant ways.

The SageWorks mission, therefore, is three-fold: a community of people who  1-Seek to live life skillfully from God’s perspective, 2- Care for each other, and 3- Encourage one another to invest in what God is doing in the next generation. Phase One of fulfilling this purpose began on Launch Day of Fellowship’s new church year and is primarily a time where the 32, and counting, community groups in the SageWorks congregation are uniting to ensure that they continue to equip themselves through an environment that fosters ongoing spiritual growth and accountability.  These community group leaders and members offer an alternative to our culture’s idea that this season of life should be spent using all time and resources on self, by shedding God’s perspective that this season is a time for passing on a legacy of godliness through stewardship of these valuable resources.  Phase Two is just around the corner. Beginning in September and October, information will be gathered about how to best care for peers in this stage of life while also caring for and meeting needs in other generations. Research has already begun on these ideas through a survey sent to over 700 Fellowship goers. The survey asks pertinent questions requiring fully subjective responses, questions like: “What are areas that need to be addressed in caring for people in this season of life?” “What passion or skill do you possess that can make a difference in the lives of the next generation?” Phase Three will start in mid-January of 2010 with the official church wide launch of SageWorks  and members of the SageWorks congregation will begin offering opportunities for younger generations to be mentored.

For those of you who have joined SageWorks, you’ll be energized as you become an active, integral part of those lives who you daily encounter. A plethora of opportunities for sharing your wisdom will be created this fall, including opportunities to mentor in areas such as spiritual growth, finances, marriage, cooking, etiquette, hunting, and many more. Each person has a unique ability or knowledge to impart.  Be willing to share yours or learn from someone else’s.

What an exciting ministry God is implementing in Fellowship Bible Church to connect people and build generational relations. In the near future, look for more information about social events and ways to serve those around you through SageWorks. Seeing the quality and details of this ministry we can all agree that though Bill Parkinson will not regularly incite our church body holistically from the pulpit, SageWorks will do just that with Bill’s leadership under God’s direction.

-Tracy Lane