May 12, 2003

Galveston church's innovation creates rising tide of converts
___Editor's note: This is the first in a series of monthly articles highlighting Texas Baptist churches that exemplify the 11 characteristics of healthy churches as identified by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___GALVESTON--Kelley Vaughan, pastor of Seaside Baptist Church, doesn't have the "faintest idea" how many people are in his flock. But he clearly sees God working.
___Through small groups that meet in members' homes, the coastal church has expanded its outreach from 10 to hundreds in Vaughan's eight years as pastor.
___The cluster model emerged after Vaughan initially taught on the New Testament books of Acts and Ephesians. Church members prayerfully sought training and started small Bible studies in their homes.
___People gathering in homes to discuss spiritual matters and care for each other is a closer model of church organization among early Christians than the large churches and structures associated with churches today, Vaughan believes.
___Clusters are the avenue the church uses to do intentional evangelism, one of the 11 characteristics of a healthy church identified by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___The groups are reaching a wide variety of people on the west side of the Galveston Island, including vacationers, young families, youth and children near Jamaica Beach.
___People gather casually dressed and interact in various ways. One group focuses on learning how to strengthen relationships and watches many videos. Another cluster eats a meal and sings songs. Yet another group enjoys desserts and a member teaches.
___The flexible model enabled Billy Philips, leader of a small group, to answer a call to ministry leadership he has felt for years.
___He faces many of the same challenges church pastors encounter, he believes. Strangers have walked into his house seeking help. Members of his group have brought a variety of serious family and personal problems to him. He has ministered to them all.
___And Philips believes he has seen God work in the arena. A man was "cured" of substance abuse, and Philips has helped mend several relationships.
___Prayer is key in coordinating a cluster, Philips said. Group members undertake consistent "prayer projects," where members pray daily for each other's personal needs.
___The experience has multiplied his passion and activity for Christ, he added.
___"It's just made (my faith) much more real and detailed," Philips said. "It's one thing to go to church weekly, but it's another thing having people in your house.
___"It's gotten me in the game and off the sidelines like never before. You can't be on the sidelines when people come into your house."
___Joe Cline, another group leader, described his group as "getting to know people in a relaxed atmosphere." The group holds no expectations of people, and emotional layers fall away as they enter into the fellowship.
___The cluster facilitates close relationships, a facet society has steered away from, Cline said.
___The groups all come together once a week to celebrate the week's events. Members dress casually, and children commonly work on crafts and move around the sanctuary during the service. Breakfast also is served.
___The church also reaches a larger segment of the population through an Easter sunrise service. About 400 people attended the last service, and nine were baptized in the Gulf of Mexico. Spiritual seeds are sown in the hearts of many others who join the small groups.
___Vaughan, serving his first pastorate, looks forward to seeing God work through the congregation's heartfelt efforts.
___"I think it's God. We're just doing the best we can," he said.

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