{"id":17126,"date":"2018-02-20T10:21:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T14:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17126"},"modified":"2018-03-20T20:27:10","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T00:27:10","slug":"regional-day-of-learning-coming-to-pumc-2-11-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=17126","title":{"rendered":"Regional Day of Learning Visits PUMC (2\/11\/18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday 2\/11\/18 was a busy day at PUMC.\u00a0 It began with our 9:30 worship service and continued with our usual 11:00 AM service.\u00a0 Normally, for most of us, the day ends there.\u00a0 We go home, eat lunch, take a nap.\u00a0 The youth come back in the evening, but most of us are done for the \"\"day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

But on this special day, many of us “did church” all day.\u00a0 Those of us in Pitman were able to hang out in our own building, but may others from all over the southern part of the state drove to PUMC through the rain to spend the afternoon at the Southern Region Day of Learning.\u00a0 About 200 people attended the worship and workshops, and around 100 stuck around for the pizza dinner that was offered afterwards.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is a Day (or “Afternoon”) of Learning?<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/h4>\n

Workshops<\/span><\/h4>\n

Just about every classroom space was used as groups ranging from 10 to 30 gathered to learn from “experts” and (perhaps more importantly), from each other.\u00a0\u00a0 The afternoon was organized around two series of 10 workshops; each attendee could participate in two different workshops.<\/p>\n

Here’s a sampling of a few workshops…<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Next Generation Disciples<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Eric Drew<\/a> (our Conference’s Worship Leader)\u00a0 provided some powerful insights into the needs of the “Next Generation.”\u00a0 Eric (who could be classified as a “Millennial”), shared his story of how he grew up in the church.\u00a0 Unlike most young adults who drift away from church as they spread their wings, Eric identifies himself as an “anomaly<\/span><\/a>” who never left the church.\u00a0 As he reflects back, he stayed with the church because someone engaged him at key points in his life.\u00a0 Someone formed an honest relationship with him and invited him to become involved in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

He challenged us to do offer the same opportunities that were offered to him as he grew up:\u00a0 Develop relationships with students, Loosen our grip on how worship “must be done”, and Set people up for successful involvement.\u00a0 Try new things- youth won’t “break the church.”\u00a0 And, keep Jesus central in all you do.\u00a0 Most “Next Generation” people\u00a0 aren’t superficial; they want to dive deeper to know the real Jesus.\u00a0 They don’t want “Jesus Lite” or “Church Lite.”<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Small Groups<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Heather Mandala<\/a><\/span>, the Director of Small Groups Ministry Hope Church, lead a workshop that challenged our concept of “small groups”\u00a0 and of “learning” or “Bible Study” in the church.\u00a0\u00a0 She reminded us that Jesus was in a Small Group of about 12 core people. She then challenged us by asking our definitions of a small group:\u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n