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EMPOWER: Digital Ministry In October 2024, Pastor Jonathan invited the church family to participate in a survey to assess our spiritual and personal well-being. The results confirmed some existing trends and provided valuable insights to empower Cedarbrook to become more radical in following Jesus. Two key findings emerged: 66% of respondents felt the church hadn't helped them discover their life's calling 67% lacked clarity on their next steps for spiritual growth Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were witnessing a significant shift in communication, with fewer people attending traditional church services and more turning to the internet. This trend has accelerated, and our church cannot afford to ignore the digital landscape. How can Cedarbrook capitalize on these insights? To address these insights and adapt to the changing times, we must evolve our digital ministry strategy. We must move beyond merely sharing information and focus on building authentic connections with both church members and seekers. This involves using digital as a means to discipling individuals in digital spaces and reaching out to those outside the church who are searching for spiritual meaning. Discipling Our Church in Digital Spaces To effectively disciple our church in digital spaces, we need to leverage technology to connect, teach, and encourage believers. Goals Q2: Script, record, disseminate high quality discipleship content (podcasts, shorts, blogs, etc) Q4: Develop online courses on various spiritual topics, such as Bible study, prayer, and discipleship Reaching the Spiritually Curious Online To effectively reach the spiritually curious online, we must leverage digital platforms to engage, educate, and inspire. Goals Q1: Bolster our digital content budget to build teams to create engaging high-quality content online via blogs, social media, and video Q3: Establish a strong online presence that attracts new members and strengthens existing relationships GIVE

Find Kids: Greeter Find Welcoming families into Promiseland Sunday mornings with a friendly wave, smile and helpful directions when needed. 2 hours Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly 10

EMPOWER: Ministry Leader Development In October 2024, Pastor Jonathan encouraged the church family to take a survey to get a sense of how the church and her people were doing spiritually and personally. For the most part, the survey confirmed what we were already hearing and experiencing, but it also unveiled some areas of actionable intelligence that would strengthen and empower Cedarbrook to become radical in following Jesus on mission in this next year. Three insights from the survey which God is now positioning Cedarbrook to capitalize on related to this Empower initiative is as follows: 65% of you responded that the church doesn’t empower young people to develop as leaders. 72% of you responded that there was no clear pathway for a person to become a leader at this church. 84% of the leaders in this church believe that there are not enough leaders in the church to operate effectively. The implications of each of these insights are as follows: Younger people feel undervalued and unseen in the church's leadership structure. A lack of clarity about leadership roles and progression can discourage potential leaders. The church will struggle to meet its mission and vision due to a shortage of leaders. How can Cedarbrook capitalize on these insights? At Cedarbrook, we evaluate potential leaders and develop leaders based on the four “C’s”: character, competency, compatibility, and capacity. To be a leader at Cedarbrook, whether that’s a leader in Promiseland or in Student Ministries, or in Life Groups, Alpha, ESOL, MomCo, our Board of Directors, or Elder Team, an individual must possess or develop these essential criteria. To accelerate the growth and development of our ministry leaders, we're focusing on three key areas: Implementing a Formal Leadership Development Program : Providing structured training and mentorship to equip leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge. Creating Clear Leadership Pipelines and Pathways : Establishing a clear progression for leadership roles, offering opportunities for growth and advancement. Funding Leadership Development Opportunities : Investing in our leaders by supporting their attendance at conferences, workshops, and other training events. A Formal Leadership Development Program This year, we will be developing a leadership development curriculum covering leadership skills, biblical knowledge, and church ministry for new Life Group leaders. As it currently stands, our existing groups cannot absorb the current demand for Life Groups and so developing Life Group leaders is paramount to discipling people in small groups at Cedarbrook. Goals Q1: Research other leadership development programs Q2: Develop a leadership development curriculum based on Cedarbrook mission, vision, and values Q3: Pilot the leadership development curriculum Q4: Tweak and revise the leadership development curriculum A Leadership Pipeline and Pathway Currently, the way people are identified for leadership roles is informal and training is often times trial by fire. This year, we will be focused on systematizing the training of those identified for leadership roles to transition leaders well and help them succeed from the get-go. Goals Q1: Identify key leadership roles that need a pipeline and pathway within the church Q2: Develop a clear pathway for progression within these roles Q3: Communicate these pathways to church members identified for potentially fulfilling those roles Q4: Implement a system for tracking individual leadership development and pipeline availability Funding Leadership Development Opportunities Investing in our leaders is an investment in the future of Cedarbrook and the kingdom of God. While our internal leadership development program is crucial, attending industry conferences and seminars offers unique benefits. These events provide opportunities for our leaders to: Learn cutting-edge leadership skills Network with other ministry professionals Gain exposure to best practices Bring back innovative ideas to enhance our leadership development programs By sending our leaders to these events, we’re empowering them to grow, learn, and lead more effectively. GIVE

A page of resources for parents of students at Cedarbrook. cedarbrook parents We think it is important to not just be a support system for our students but for parents and families as well. We have compiled a list of resources that are widely recommended by Youth Pastors. Each title below is clickable to the appropriate webpage. WEBSITES Smart Social This website is designed to help parents stay up to date on new apps, by helping you determine which apps are safe to use as well as what apps may be inappropriate for your student's age. more info AXIS This website exists to equip adults with the tools to have conversations about culture, media, and faith. There is a free weekly newsletter as well as other free to help you with these conversations. more info Center for Parent and Youth Understanding This website called “The Center for Parent and Youth Understanding” is full of articles, podcasts, seminars, and other resources to help you navigate parenting in our digital world. more info Homeword Presented by Azusa Pacific University, the goal of this website is to help families succeed in building strong marriages, confident parents, and empowered kids by producing devotionals, blogs, and courses for families. more info Covenant Eyes This is a paid accountability software that helps parents partner with their students to defeat internet porn usage. more info Fight The New Drug This is a website with free resources to inform the public about the harmful effects of porn through scientific studies, blog posts, and a three-part documentary on the topic. more info BOOKS Don't Miss It by Reggie Joiner You have 936 weeks from your student's birth until they graduate high school. This book is designed to help you shape your student's faith by making each week count. more info Understanding Your Young Teen by Mark Oestreicher This book offers insight focused on early adolescent development while also providing you with practical applications for parenting and living with your 11-14 year old. more info Parenting: 14 Gospel principles that can radically change your family This website called “The Center for Parent and Youth Understanding” is full of articles, podcasts, seminars, and other resources to help you navigate parenting in our digital world. more info What Do I Do When Series by Dr. Steven Gerali These short books offer adults a look into some of the many issues that teenagers face in their daily lives. Topics of these books include; depression and suicide, abuse, bullying and violence, dealing with death, and eating disorders. These books can be a helpful starting place, to understand a student's pain as well as providing a few next steps that families can take in the healing process. more info A Parents Guide to Understanding Sex and Dating by Mark Oestreicher and Joel Mayward This book will help to equip parents so that they are able to have healthy and honest dialogue with their teenagers about sex and dating. more info 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid by Tim Elmore A very practical discussion through many things parents think they should be doing when in fact they are mistakes that can stunt the growth of our children. more info Raising Adults: A Humane Guide for Parenting by Tim Hancock The premise of the book is “the problem with raising children is that is what we end up with…children. Our job is to raise adults, and that changes everything”. more info PODCASTS Parenting Tips Looking for some quick help as a parent? Parent Tips by Jonathan McKee provides around 10 minutes of hope and help for parenting teens. more info Youth Ministry Sherpas This Podcast focuses mainly on youth workers and youth ministry but includes a lot of information they have learned over the years that can be applied to parenting as well. more info

Assist Kids: Administrative Support Assist Provide administrative support during the middle of the week. Reach out to new families, data entry into the church data management system, update attendance, etc. 2 hours monthly, bi-weekly, weekly Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly 10

Find Alpha: Hospitality/Greeter Find Greet participants arriving for Alpha events. 3 hours weekly/seasonal weekly, seasonal 7

ae2c3f52-757a-4aa3-b165-588710781846 Fishers of men: a disciple is committed to the mission of Jesus A fully-formed disciple of Jesus will live as Jesus lived: loving others as we love ourselves, caring for the marginalized, and sharing the good news of Jesus wherever we are. We do not have to quit our jobs and move to a foreign country to participate in the mission of Jesus. We do it right where we live and work and play. Each month on this page we will offer practical guidance on how to join Jesus in the work he is already doing in the lives of those around us. Loving Our Neighbors During a Pandemic BOOKS The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon The Hopeful Neighborhood by Don Everts ARTICLES How to be a Compassionate Neighbor During a Global Health Crisis by Evelyn Allen 9 Ways to Love Your Neighbor in This Pandemic by Justin Early ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED YOUR HELP Clarksburg Closet https://www.cedarbrook.org/clarksburgcloset Clarksburg CAN http://www.clarksburgcan.org Germantown Help https://germantownhelp.org Damascus Help http://damascushelp.org Upcounty Hub at Black Rock (Germantown) https://www.blackrockcenter.org/upcounty-hub Wumco Help (western MoCo Poolesville based org) https://wumcohelp.org A Wider Circle (Gaithersburg area) https://awidercircle.org Interfaith Works (down county - Rockville area) https://www.iworksmc.org Red Wiggler Community Farm (Clarksburg area) https://redwiggler.org NOTES COMMENTS hands page

Encourage Assimilation: Sunday Service Prayer Team Member Encourage Spend 1 hour on Sundays praying over our church and our church services pre-service. 1 hour monthly Monthly 5

Assist Gaithersburg Help: Call Center - Transportation Coordinator Assist Work at home using your phone and computer with internet access; return calls to clients and schedule drivers to provide transportation to and from medical or social service office appointments; phone hours vary M-F 9:30am to 5pm. 1 hour monthly Monthly 5

Our Sunday services last about 70 minutes and include live music and teaching. Don't worry about what you're wearing. Dress casually and come with an open heart to hear God’s Word preached from the Bible by a pastor. Join us in person at 9:30 or 11:15am. Livestream is available during the 9:30am service. SUNDAY MORNIING WHAT TO EXPECT Our Sunday services last about 70 minutes and include live music and teaching. Don't worry about what you're wearing. Dress casually and come with an open heart to hear God’s Word preached from the Bible by a pastor. Join us in person at 9:30 or 11:15am. Livestream is available during the 9:30am service. FOR THE KIDS Infants through Grade 5 Promiseland is a space for children, infants up to 5th graders. Our mission is to cultivate a space where young hearts engage with the gospel weekly. Whether your child is embarking on their faith journey or delving deeper, Promiseland offers a space for growth, learning, and a lasting connection with God and peers. LEARN MORE FOR TEENS 6th grade through 12th grade MIDDLE SCHOOL The Wave is a student ministry for 6th – 8th grade students. Each Sunday, at the 11:15am service, we gather together for games, music, Biblical teaching, and small group interaction with their peers. HIGH SCHOOL Oasis is a student ministry for 9th – 12th grade students. Each Sunday during our weekly gathering, students experience a combination of games, music, teaching and small group interaction with their peers. Our weekly gathering meets at Cedarbrook each Sunday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. LEARN MORE

Assist Gaithersburg Help: Driver Assist Drive clients to and from medical or social service office appointments; driving hours vary M-F 8am to 5pm. 1 hour monthly Monthly 5

4950e208-cda0-49cd-9db5-ca9e5e09f09f I will make you become: a disciple is being changed by Jesus Jesus wants to transform us so that we become the kind of people who genuinely love God and others from the core of our being. This change in our hearts goes way beyond what our willpower and good intentions can accomplish. But, it is also not something that God will do in us without our involvement. Each month we will provide video and print resources that look at a spiritual practice, experience, or relationship that can ground us in a lifestyle of openness to God and the work he is doing in us. Spiritual Friendships BOOKS Life Together in Christ by Ruth Haley Barton Spiritual Friendship by Mindy Caliguire ARTICLES Spiritual Friendships by Martha Ybarra and Seana Scott Spiritual Friendship by Curated Life Blog VIDEOS What is Biblical Friendship by Sam Alberry Spiritual Friendship by Todd Puckett NOTES COMMENTS heart page