NMI lessons

[Marsha Lynn]

Tomorrow is the first day of the new church year for us. My husband is NMI president and trying to get a grasp on the new format for the monthly missionary lessons. There is no book, only DVDs. We went to a district "leadership training" event last week and he, the only male in the room, was looking around at the other NMI presidents and not sure they were all media specialists. I wonder how many small churches have yet to install a video projector.

Does anyone have comments or insights on the new lesson format? Are you finding material to study/present?

Marsha

[John Reilly]

Hi Marsha, empathizing with you. From NMI Convention last week sure seems like the NMI has scaled down hugely on emphasis and calendar. We were told we could do any or all of the NMI stuff and in any order we desire. I have been using the Video Magazine clips for Sunday Morning updates. We still have Sunday Night church services but have not had a dedicated Missions service except for Faith Promise and deputation services. Last year we had the lesson book but we did not use it. I am not sure if the DVD will get used. Time will tell. Probably depends on me reviewing it.

[Charlene Clevenger]

I haven't received our kit, but Edna, my boss, asked me to download some things for her to use. She goes to a small church that doesn't have a CD player, much less a DVD player. There was a hand-out on the CD she found helpful. She does a monthly lesson and doesn't know how she'll be able to make the lessons last as long as they are supposed to last. As for me, I do a monthly update, usually involving a short video. Some of the videos they offer are good, but way too long for my purposes. I have to take time to look over everything before I decide what we'll be doing.

[Susan Unger]

Brian Utter from WMB was at my church a month ago. He commented that there has been a mixed reception to the new lessons. For those like my church [lots of media - dvd players in each room, cd players, power point screen in sanctuary and no Sunday evening service just lots of small groups] this has been a blessing. My church gave up on the monthly lessons cuz they were so poorly attended [but then all Sunday evening services were that way]. But we have a good number that do small groups. With the right amount of promotion to the leaders of the small groups, we can have more missions education going on. And then the subjects are more current for us and easier to sell as 'relavant' for the non-missions minded.

But then he said for those churches like yours and for whom the old lessons did work out ok, they are having a tough time understanding what to do.

I have the first few lessons with me. I have seen one video so far. It reminds me of the Rob Bell vides we watch sometimes in church. Haven't really had a chance yet to look at more of it. I might consider asking the Primetime President if we could do that at our next monthly meeting but we'll see.

[Susan Unger]

The website for it is www.livingmission.com and there is a facebook page for it "Living Mission".

[Bruce Nuffer]

Let me offer an idea here--NMI has partnered with us at The House Studio to take up the development of the mission curriculum. The first material that will come out from this partnership will be Spring 2011 (we played no part in the material coming out fall 2010 that is the second half of the first year's curriculum). We are currently reviewing the new materials and talking with local churches to see what adjustments need to be made going forward. The major feedback I am aware of is this media issue, and the reduction in the number of lessons (and some people who really want their recipes back!). If you are a local user and would allow us to talk with you, we'd love to contact you and talk about it. Contact us at Information@TheHouseStudio.com and we'll set up a time to talk. (And please feel free to tell other NMI presidents about our desire to speak with them.) We really need your input to continue to create materials that work for you.

[Ryan Scott]

I wasn't aware there were still so many congregations doing regular missions "lessons" for the whole congregation. I have vague memories of a once a month on Sunday night thing as a child. I'm assuming this is part of the attempt to move away from a focus on the missionaries to a focus on mission itself and what that means at home and around the world. I expect there will be more changes upcoming.

[David Pettigrew]

Yeah, we still have missionary night. I'm pleased to hear of the new direction.

[Charlene Clevenger]

A couple of years ago we attempted to have one Sunday a quarter where the 3 adult SS classes met together for a missions lesson. It didn't work out that year, but the new lessons look like a perfect opportunity for that set up.

[Jon Twitchell]

NMI Lessons?

What are those?