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49 Character Qualities

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GOALS FOR MATERIALS FOR ASSISTING IN ENCOURAGING A CONGREGATYION IN PRACTICING THE MONTHLY CHARACTER QUALITIES
John F. Pierce, Faith Committee Chairman
Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
As of November 30, 2000*

  1. Introductory Newsletter.
    Goal: Orient the congregational members to becoming a "Church of Character"
    (or Synagogue, Temple, Mosque)
    • Overview of the general community-wide character initiative and participation of the Faith Community.
    • The nature of good character, its development, and its general benefits.
    • Scriptural view of the importance of practicing good character and its benefits.
    • The important role of a "Church of Character" and how the practice of the monthly character qualities will be encouraged in the church.
  2. Monthly Newsletter.
    Goal: Orient the members to the character quality of the month. (Centerpiece for the quality)
    • Definition of the character quality, and listing of the actions or "I will's.
    • Scriptural connections to the character quality. For examples, explanation of meaning, commandments, illustrations, motivations and benefits of practicing the quality.
    • The character quality:

      in Scripture

       

      in home

       

      in church or synagogue

      in nature

      in workplace

      in community

      in history

      in school

      in the heart

  3. Monthly 4-Minute Sermon or Homily.
    Goal: Encourage the members to practice the character quality through appeal to Scripture and the moral authority and love of the spiritual leader.
  4. Weekly Bulletin Insert.
    Goal: Encourage the members to practice the character quality through personal reminders.
    • Application ideas and tips.
    • Reminders of benefits - prose, Scripture references, statements of important people, etc.
    • Self evaluations and checkups.
    • Exhortations to review with God and re-commit to practicing.
  5. Weekly 1-Minute Testimonial Announcement.
    Goal: Encourage the members to practice the character quality through testimonies of others.
    • Testimonies from:

      Church history

       

      The Congregation

       

      Family

      Other history

      The community, nation, world

      Sports, School, Business, etc.

  6. 5-Minute Presentations and Studies for Groups, Classes, Meetings.
    Goal: Encourage the members to practice the character quality through personal challenge.
    • Brief reminder of the definition and "I will"s for the character quality.
    • Scriptural motivations for practicing the character quality. (e.g. Protestant - please God, promote intimacy with God, invest in something valuable in this life and the life to come.)
    • Each participant silently or in a small group review application of the "I will's in his/her life, asking God for wisdom in how they apply, asking His forgiveness for failures to practice in the past, and asking His strength to practice them in the future. Conclude by re-committing oneself to try to practice the character quality regularly.
This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.