Beginning Sunday, August 11, Middle and High School Ministries will meet together at South Campus at 9 and 11 am for large group worship and teaching.
Middle and High School students will have separate discussion groups at the end of the service.
Middle School students will still have the opportunity to be involved in community groups throughout the week. High School students will continue meeting at South Campus from 4–6 pm to connect with each other and then divide into their grade and gender-based community groups for an extended duration.
We believe this schedule is going to provide several new benefits:
Fostering Community
Bringing the entire Brookwood family together at 9 and 11 am fosters a greater sense of community.
New Students
High School students who only attend on Sunday mornings will now have opportunities to connect with Student Ministry, too.
More Opportunities
Students can still come to a service, serve at a service and be part of a Community Group.
Leader Freedom
High School Community Group Leaders will still be able to lead their groups on Sunday afternoons and be free to attend service and serve in other ways on Sunday mornings.
Peer Guidance
Younger students can witness High School students worshipping and following Jesus, providing them with positive role models and inspiring their faith.
Adult Volunteers
Adults will have the opportunity to serve our High School students on Sunday mornings, too.
While our Middle School and High School Ministries will be combined for most large group experiences, there will be times when teaching will be in separate rooms at South Campus to address age-specific topics.
Additionally, we'll continue to have most events separate throughout the year. We've prayerfully collaborated with many students, parents and staff over the last few months. We believe this schedule will help us create a high-energy, focused environment where our students can grow in God's truth and further the Kingdom!
What's Next?
On Sunday, June 23, we'll be available for questions before and after the One Camp Parent Meeting in between services. On the same day, we'll communicate with Middle School students during morning services and have a Q&A with High School students starting at 3:45 pm at South Campus.
Additionally, on Sunday, August 4, we'll give rising grade 6 students a tour of South Campus during 9 and 11 am services and have a freshman dinner at 6 pm.
We're looking forward to seeing God move within our students!
FAQs
Why are we making this update?
Ultimately, we wanted to give High School students more ways to get involved. By offering a service on Sunday mornings, we hope to connect High School students who may not be able to attend on Sunday afternoons. Our Middle School students can already connect on Sunday mornings and in Community Groups on Sunday afternoons and beyond. We wanted to offer High School students the same opportunity.
What's changing for Middle School students?
Not much. Other than High School students joining them for large group worship and teaching, everything else stays the same. Students will still be split by grade and gender for discussion groups after service, and most events throughout the year will remain separate.
Should I be concerned about students in grade 6 interacting with High School seniors on Sunday mornings?
We'll have areas in South Campus for the different age groups during the pre-service hangout time. The seating will be split during large groups so that High School and Middle School students sit in different areas. Students will be separated for teaching when age-specific topics are addressed. Our student staff and adult volunteers will always be around, and we have some amazing High School students who lead by a great example!
Which Sunday morning service should High School students attend?
We anticipate most of our High School students will attend the 11 am service, but 9 am is also an option.
Will Sunday afternoons still look the same for High School students?
It'll be very similar. From 4–4:30 pm, all students will hang out, enjoy a group game, and occasionally engage in unplugged worship. From 4:30–5:30 pm, students will gather in Community Groups to dive into God's Word, check on each other's lives, and have an intentional time to pray together. From 5:30–6 pm, all students will have additional time to hang out.
Can students still serve on Sunday mornings?
Yes! If students would like to serve, and we encourage this, we recommend serving at one service and attending another. If they currently serve at both services, they're welcome to continue doing that, but we prefer they also attend a Community Group to ensure they're getting poured into. Ministries will gladly help shift students' serving times and get appropriate coverage to allow them to attend a Sunday morning service.
Can students and leaders attend on Sunday afternoon if they cannot on Sunday morning?
Of course! Our afternoon groups may discuss the Sunday morning message more deeply, but the group curriculum will be designed so that group leaders and students can confidently participate even if they've missed the Sunday morning service. We'd love for everyone to attend all our offerings, but our goal is for them to be connected to at least one.