MENS TRAINING CLASS

1. MENS TRAINING CLASS LESSON # 3 Presented at: Newton church of Christ Newton, NC 28658 2008

2. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • The making of announcements in the assembly is an expedient means of relating information which needs to be made known to all the members of the church. – Acts 15:3. • In addition, it is a time when visitors can be welcomed and given essential information about our worship and the schedule of our worship services. • It is not a time to draw attention to oneself (bragging, complaining or to stand on ones soap box with his pet peeves), not is it a time to tell jokes, or to preach a sermon. • It is also an important first and last impression to those who visit with us and sets the tone in many cases for the entire service.

3. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS: • They are to INFORM and to EXPEDIATE. • What do you want the audience to know - everything worth announcing. • What do you want the audience to feel - welcome. • What do you want the audience to do - to participate. • Since you are assigned the announcements for an extended period of time – i.e. a month. • Make sure that the congregation knows this so that they can give you information that needs to be passed on to others.

4. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • Some Practical Guidelines to Consider: • Always look them over before you begin. • Be brief – less is more! • The less you say the better. • Do you really have to repeat the entire schedule to times when you see no visitors? • Never start on a Bad NOTE! • We have a small crowd today! • IF you have visitors – what do you think they are thinking? • BE POSITIVE and FRIENDLY • Never “preach” during announcements! • E.g.. Many missed the lesson last week….! • Rebuking those who have been absent or tardy is out of place here. • Never say anything that would hinder or distract from the WORSHIP SERVICES!

5. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • Some Practical Guidelines to Consider: • Arrive early enough to gather the information that needs to be conveyed. • All items that need to be announced should be noted down – remember be neat and able to understand your writing. • View this responsibility as an important act of Worship – 1 Cor. 14:40 • Emphasize the facts that are important. • A serious illness needs special attention in prayer ect. • Speak loudly and clear so all present can hear!

6. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • WHAT to Announce: • USE DISCRETION in your announcements. • There are announcements of a SOCIAL NATURE that are best for after the dismissal. • WHEN announcing illnesses and deaths be: • Sensitive to the Feelings of others. • Exclude REMARKS that are PRIVATE and INDIVIDUAL IN NATURE! • WHEN no announcements do not get caught up in making an announcement! • “It is now time for announcements but I don’t know of any announcements other than the regular announcements. Does anyone else have announcements to make? Since no one does this concludes the announcements”

7. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • THE CONTRIBUTION: • 1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 9:6-7 the Christian is command to lay by in store on the first day of the week. • In order to properly obey this directive you must emphasize the significance of understanding the command. • Each is to give according to their ability – Acts 11:29 • Each must purpose in his heart. • Each must give with a cheerful heart. • The giving is personal in matter.

8. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • THE CONTRIBUTION & Matters to consider: • Contribution is an integral part of Worship on the first day of the week. • There are many scriptures that can be read which relates to giving. • Prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation of God’s blessings can be said. • Let the congregation know that this is a command to Christians of the local group and not to visitors from the community. • Keep it separate from the Lord’s Supper.

9. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • Greeting of Visitors: • This may not seem as an important part of the duty of the men, however, it must be recognized that often the first impression visitors get of the congregation is from the men standing in the vestibule. • Some Basic Musts: • Do not waitfor the VISITOR to come to you, Go to Them. • Take the time to introduce yourself, ask a few simple questions – i.e.. Are you travelling? • Welcome them to the assembly. • Greet all age groups – not just the men. • Help introduce them to others. • Remember –Proverbs 18:24.

10. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • How to Baptize: • Every physically able member of the Lord’s body ought to know how to baptize someone into Christ. • Why Baptize? • To be obedient to the command of Christ – Matt 28:19-20; Mk 16:16 • To have one’s sins remitted – Acts 2:38; for salvation – 1 Peter 3:20-21 and to receive the blessings which are in Christ Jesus – Gal. 3:26-27 cf Eph 1:3

11. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • What is required of the one to be Baptized? • Confession of faith in Christ as the Son of God – Act 8:36-39; Rom. 10:9-10 • Good question to ask: “DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD?” • Upon this confession it may be appropriate to comment on the need to be steadfast. • Remember that the “good confession” must be made before witnesses – this does not have to be many and could be only yourself.

12. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • What is involved in the immersion of someone: • The usual practice is to lay the person down into the water backwards, however, any method that accomplishes a burial is accepted. • Ask the person to keep their body rigid. • Stand at arms length from the person so that you would have leverage to raise them from the water. • Lower them into the water and have someone watch to make sure they are completely immersed.

13. Making Announcements and Miscellaneous Duties • What is involved in the immersion of a woman: • Some points to consider: • Do everything in your power to keep the occasion from being embarrassing. • Help her retain her modesty. • Be careful how you hold her, and where you place your hands in raising her. • Some things to keep in mind. • Do not be afraid to get wet. • Do it over if it is not done right. • Don’t rush the person into cold water. • Assure them you will not let them go. • Make sure the water is at least waist deep – this aids in a seamless baptism.