WANTED:
“BIG BROTHER” CHURCHES

Could Your Congregation Become “ BIG BROTHER” to a New Church?

How Can Your Church help?

The Chicago District Evangelistic Association is looking for churches that would be willing to become a BIG BROTHER to a new church. Mature, established congregations are urged to assume a level of responsibility for the pre-birth and early stages of life of a specific new church. Over 75 Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have thus far become BIG BROTHERS to 3 new churches; SunCrest Christian Church of St. John, IN; Northern Lakes Christian Church of Round Lake, IL; and Westbrook Christian Church of Bolingbrook,IL.

Here's what YOUR involvement as a 'Big Brother" does:

Enables established mature churches to be a part of church planting.
Encourages established churches to become more aware of evangelism through new church planting.
Enlists the leadership of a local church to actively pray for the new church.
Educates a local church in one of the most effective methods of
evangelism of unchurched people.
Effectively creates a bond of unity between the new church and the “BIG BROTHER” church.
Embraces the ideals of the New
Testament Church showing care
and concern for other churches.
Exalts the Lord’s plan to win the world through the church and puts church planting into churches.
Establishes a successful model for church planting in the Restoration Movement.

Could your congregation be a Big Brother to a new church?

Please prayerfully consider becoming a BIG BROTHER church.

“ Big Brother” churches assume these responsibilities for the life of the new infant church.

PRAYER. The model from the Scripture (Acts 12:5) is prayer for specific situations which concern the church. Project “Big Brother” depends upon the prayers of established churches. “Big Brother churches commit to regular prayer for the new church.

PARTICIPATION. The Apostle Paul urged congregations to become involved in the lives of other congregations, specifically so that if there was a lack, that there might be equality. (2 Cor 8:13-15). “Big Brother” churches find definite ways to participate so that the participation is a blessing to both.

ENCOURAGEMENT. One of the vital links that an established church can give to the new church is encouragement. As the Apostle Paul established churches, in sometimes hostile communities, he knew that one element that would help the church was encouragement. (Acts 20:1-3).

FELLOWSHIP. The passage of Romans 16:16 says, “...all the churches of Christ send greetings”. Churches, especially new churches, need a sense of identity and a sense of belonging. The heritage of the Restoration Movement is that churches of Christ exist together in fellowship. “Big Brother” churches offer that sense of belonging and identity to a new church.

For more information on how your congregation can be a Big Brother church, contact Bob Szoke, bszoke@cdea.org .

the CHICAGO DISTRICT EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION
Mail to: 1000 Broadmoor |  Munster IN 46321  Phone: 219-662-2433