page 1 of 4 SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION Sponsored Services and Resources Available for Church Small Group Discipleship Programs Grafted Life Ministries is offering $150,000 in donor-sponsored small group materials and services to 10 churches in Dallas and Houston, TX. These materials and services include consultation, leader training, and discipleship curricula provided by spiritual formation specialists with over 30 years of experience working with church ministries and small groups. Search Criteria and Selection Grafted Life seeks churches who are focused on expanding and enriching the spiritual vitality of their small group and discipleship programs. Selected churches will partner with Grafted Life over a two-year period using a process that has been tested in churches across state and denominational lines. Our process has consistently shown real and lasting change in the lives of congregants and in the relational culture of the church. Benefits of Partnership Grafted Life provides access to up to $15,000 in donor-funded materials and services over a two-year period, including:»» On-site Consultation: up to 96 hours of in-person consultation with Grafted Life s spiritual formation specialists (6 days per year)»» Discovery: evaluation tools and discernment processes that provide insight into the goals, structures, and effectiveness of your small group and discipleship programs
page 2 of 4 SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION»» Staff and Volunteer Training: a comprehensive team training in small group leadership, for up to 50 staff and volunteer leaders»» Shepherding Certification: for selected small group leaders, indepth and individualized training by Grafted Life spiritual formation specialists Leaders receive certification to lead Grafted Life s Life with God small group discipleship journey. To better understand the scope of partnership with Grafted Life, please review the attached case study following the application. Application Process and Deadline Interested churches may apply using the attached application. Applications will be considered and selected in the order they are received, until all donor-funding has been distributed. About Us Grafted Life Ministries partners with church ministries to build relational cultures of love for God and one another. As a non-profit para-church organization, we provide resources and services that create relational encounters with God and fellow Christians. All of our resources value biblical teaching, experiential learning, and growing together within the Body of Christ. For more information about Grafted Life Ministries, please visit our website at www.graftedlife.org
page 3 of 4 SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION Sponsorship Application For Partnership with Grafted Life in Small Group Discipleship Ministries At Grafted Life, we are constantly seeking God s will in all things. As such, we ask that, as you fill out this application, please do so in a posture of prayer and discernment with the Lord. Contact Information Name of Church: Address: Contact Name and Title: Contact Phone and E-mail: General Information What denomination does your church consider itself to be a part of (if any)? Approximately how many people attend services on an average weekend: How many small groups does your church oversee? What is the average size of your small groups, as well as the range in size? Background Briefly describe the history of small group ministry at your church, including your view of the purpose and value of small groups in your community:
page 4 of 4 SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION What are three aspects of your small groups that you are satisfied with? What are three aspects that you would like to see improvements in? What is it that interests you about this proposal to partner with Grafted Life? In what areas, do you think your small groups ministry could use assistance and expertise? Check all that apply: Casting a vision for spiritual growth Evaluating functionality of overall structure for spiritual growth Growing the number of quality small group leaders Effective training for small group leaders Growing the number of small group participants Determining effective small group materials for spiritual growth Other: Is the senior leadership of your church aware of this application and are they onboard with moving in this direction? Are there any questions you have for Grafted Life? If so, please feel free to contact us directly at 214-919-4145. Please scan and return this application to Grafted Life Ministries at the following address: info@graftedlife.org Applications will be considered and selected in the order they are received, until all donor funding has been distributed.
PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY page 1 of 2 Grafted Life Ministries partnered with Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church to bring church-wide spiritual health and vitality through small groups. Grafted Life provided a place for me to connect with like-minded people who understand spiritual formation and discipleship and who I believe will help heal the relational brokenness in all of us by helping people to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Brian Owen, Discipleship Pastor, Grace Fellowship UMC CHURCH PROFILE Grace Fellowship UMC is a thriving church, averaging 2,800 worshippers a Sunday. Located in Katy, TX, in the energy corridor of west Houston, Grace Fellowship serves a population of primarily suburban families led by working professionals. Grace s founding pastor, Jim Leggett, has been at the helm since its inception 18 years ago. They have 11 full-time pastors out of a staff of 60, coming from a range of Christian backgrounds from Bible church to charismatic. CHALLENGE In 2009, on Brian Owen s first day as pastor at Grace Fellowship, he became aware that while the church was active and growing, well over a hundred people were exhibiting signs of deep relational crisis. In his words, I was sobered by the reality that as much as we do in the local church for all our Bible teaching, small groups, and prayer there is still a lot of junk underneath the surface that is not getting addressed. I knew what I wanted to see happen: people learning how to have a really rich walk with Jesus, learning to love Him and others well. We ve got people that have been in Bible Study Fellowship for 20 years. They have a lot of information and knowledge. They re good people and dutiful. I just think God has more for them.
PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY page 2 of 2 SOLUTION We get so caught up sometimes in training for small group mechanics that we forget to talk about the relationships within the group, and how to relate to the Lord as a group. Grafted Life gives concrete steps to help leaders understand that. Brian Owen A year ago, Owen began to notice a common theme emerging from conversations with both his staff and church members: that church members were ready and longing for more in their walk with God. Owen shared with Grafted Life his sense that the time had arrived to intentionally offer our shared vision and proven pathways to deeper spiritual growth. Owen invited a select group of staff and small group leaders to hear Debbie Swindoll, Executive Director of Grafted Life, speak about Grafted Life s philosophy on practical spiritual formation. Out of that event, 7 small group leaders entered the certification process to lead Grated Life s Life with God discipleship curriculum series. Grace Fellowship then launched their first six Life with God groups, with a total participation from their congregation of 57 people. Feedback from the inaugural Life with God groups was so positive that when Grafted Life released The Art of Spiritual Leadership (ASL), a manual-guided, 6-week small group leader training, Owen and his team knew that it would be perfect for the rest of their small group leaders. They offered ASL during the summer break and 63 small group leaders signed up. RESULTS Grace Church Leader s Survey Feedback 63 small group leaders trained 92% said their training showed them how better love their group members 93% recommended that Grace Church continue offering ASL in the future Through the Life with God curriculum and The Art of Spiritual Leadership, Grace Fellowship s small group leaders and members are experiencing that deeper walk with God and others that they have been hungering for. Owen reports that leaders are now acting as faithful stewards of God s grace (1 Peter 4:10): The people in Grafted Life groups are learning to listen and attend to the Spirit. We talk about abiding in Christ and Grafted Life has given people a space to practice and experience that. It s changing their lives. It s changing their families. It s changing the way they lead their groups. And it s affecting how they minister. Going forward, Owen plans to offer The Art of Spiritual Leadership regularly to his small group leaders. He sees Life with God as an essential piece of his small group offerings, particularly for those who are ready for a more intentional discipleship process. Grafted Life s influence is rippling through Grace Fellowship, as participants from both Life with God and ASL are sharing these concepts in other ministries, such as mothers of preschoolers, Alpha, and the youth group.
PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY page 1 of 2 Grafted Life Ministries partnered with Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church to bring church-wide spiritual health and vitality through small groups. Grafted Life provided a place for me to connect with like-minded people who understand spiritual formation and discipleship and who I believe will help heal the relational brokenness in all of us by helping people to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Brian Owen, Discipleship Pastor, Grace Fellowship UMC CHURCH PROFILE Grace Fellowship UMC is a thriving church, averaging 2,800 worshippers a Sunday. Located in Katy, TX, in the energy corridor of west Houston, Grace Fellowship serves a population of primarily suburban families led by working professionals. Grace s founding pastor, Jim Leggett, has been at the helm since its inception 18 years ago. They have 11 full-time pastors out of a staff of 60, coming from a range of Christian backgrounds from Bible church to charismatic. CHALLENGE In 2009, on Brian Owen s first day as pastor at Grace Fellowship, he became aware that while the church was active and growing, well over a hundred people were exhibiting signs of deep relational crisis. In his words, I was sobered by the reality that as much as we do in the local church for all our Bible teaching, small groups, and prayer there is still a lot of junk underneath the surface that is not getting addressed. I knew what I wanted to see happen: people learning how to have a really rich walk with Jesus, learning to love Him and others well. We ve got people that have been in Bible Study Fellowship for 20 years. They have a lot of information and knowledge. They re good people and dutiful. I just think God has more for them.
PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY page 2 of 2 SOLUTION We get so caught up sometimes in training for small group mechanics that we forget to talk about the relationships within the group, and how to relate to the Lord as a group. Grafted Life gives concrete steps to help leaders understand that. Brian Owen A year ago, Owen began to notice a common theme emerging from conversations with both his staff and church members: that church members were ready and longing for more in their walk with God. Owen shared with Grafted Life his sense that the time had arrived to intentionally offer our shared vision and proven pathways to deeper spiritual growth. Owen invited a select group of staff and small group leaders to hear Debbie Swindoll, Executive Director of Grafted Life, speak about Grafted Life s philosophy on practical spiritual formation. Out of that event, 7 small group leaders entered the certification process to lead Grated Life s Life with God discipleship curriculum series. Grace Fellowship then launched their first six Life with God groups, with a total participation from their congregation of 57 people. Feedback from the inaugural Life with God groups was so positive that when Grafted Life released The Art of Spiritual Leadership (ASL), a manual-guided, 6-week small group leader training, Owen and his team knew that it would be perfect for the rest of their small group leaders. They offered ASL during the summer break and 63 small group leaders signed up. RESULTS Grace Church Leader s Survey Feedback 63 small group leaders trained 92% said their training showed them how better love their group members 93% recommended that Grace Church continue offering ASL in the future Through the Life with God curriculum and The Art of Spiritual Leadership, Grace Fellowship s small group leaders and members are experiencing that deeper walk with God and others that they have been hungering for. Owen reports that leaders are now acting as faithful stewards of God s grace (1 Peter 4:10): The people in Grafted Life groups are learning to listen and attend to the Spirit. We talk about abiding in Christ and Grafted Life has given people a space to practice and experience that. It s changing their lives. It s changing their families. It s changing the way they lead their groups. And it s affecting how they minister. Going forward, Owen plans to offer The Art of Spiritual Leadership regularly to his small group leaders. He sees Life with God as an essential piece of his small group offerings, particularly for those who are ready for a more intentional discipleship process. Grafted Life s influence is rippling through Grace Fellowship, as participants from both Life with God and ASL are sharing these concepts in other ministries, such as mothers of preschoolers, Alpha, and the youth group.