Wednesday January 9th, 7 pm, will tell the tale about Wedgwood’s midweek programming… as many prospective members are opting to wait for an alternate option and skip the next 8 weeks of Gospel Classes (Mars Hill’s foundational teaching). Pastors James Harleman and Jon Krombein stand ready to teach, but depending on who shows tomorrow night the class might be put on hold, or folded into Ballard’s Gospel Class.

“There is a spring option that many people have found appealing, and they’ve decided to wait” Deacon Andrew Pack noted. “Many signed up, but when told about the full plan for offering the class in 2008, they decided the best option for their family or schedule was to wait until spring.” (Following Easter, the church’s primary doctrine and vision will be preached over 12 weeks at Sunday services, allowing Sunday attendees the option of plugging into a Community Group and going through the membership process without a midweek class on Mars Hill theology and mission).

This may mean that the Wedgwood class could wind up being Community Group sized, making Q&A even more dynamic and the class more interactive as a result. No complaints there. However, if no one shows up on week one… the class might be cancelled. Almost every single registrant who initially signed up for the class has since decided to defer until spring. Several have voiced that they plan to attend, but have not officially registered. Tomorrow night will tell the tale.

Midweek will still be busy. “The Mount” – a series studying Jesus’ famous sermon – will still commence, alongside Children’s Midweek. Pastor James is not concerned, as he is working on a document with his fellow campus pastors on how to tweak the member process and what membership means in a multi-campus setting so that it can be both more efficient and provide better equipping and care. This transition will likely coincide with the spring series as the church rolls into summer.

“It’s not that interest has waned in being a church member”, he notes. “As a new campus, people are getting plugged in and creating authentic community, getting into groups, ministries, meeting people. There’s a LOT everyone can do without being an ‘official’ member. If people take winter to go through our sermon series of top questions about Mars Hill, invest in building relationships, and become members in the spring/summer, it only means that they’re truly investing in our mission and community for the long haul. Membership isn’t about having a title or special access or crossing a finish line… it’s a level of commitment that lets church leaders know who’s in this for the long haul and who we should focus on investing in.”

“Members are the ones who get what Mars Hill is about and will invest in others, sharing the work Jesus has for us. We encourage people to be diligent and pursue it, but we don’t want anyone to rush. When it comes to examining one’s self – and Mars Hill – in regard to biblical theology, application, and mission, we want people to look thoroughly, not hurriedly.”

Wednesday night will let Pastors James and Jon know how they’ll be spending the next two months of Wednesdays. For those with questions regarding our mid-week programming e-mail wedgwood@marshillchurch.org.