You might think that the first things to consider when thinking about the feasibility of offering a program for adult spiritual growth would be: “Is there adequate space in our building?” or “Do we have enough teachers?” But these obstacles can usually be solved. If the proper training is available, teachers can come from very unlikely places. And Sunday morning classes don't need to happen on-site. I have had classes meet in rented conference rooms and the front room of a class member's apartment. Nor should your first question be: “What curriculum should we use?” There will be a time for that question, but it will come later.

The questions a church needs to ask in starting a new Christian education ministry are more foundational—and honestly ought to be asked periodically about existing ministries, as well.

Why do you want this ministry? Ministries are often started for the wrong reason.

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Growthclass.org is the brain child of Rob Devens.  Rob has been working in churches and in the ministry of Christian spiritual growth for the last 28 years. In January, 2009, he left his position of Pastor of Adult Spiritual Growth at First Free Church of La Crosse, Wisconsin (after being there 16 years) to allow his wife to  pursue her career.  Claudia had been following Rob around the country for the last 28 years, so he figured it was time for him to follow Claudia!  Claudia took a position as an assistant professor at Oregon Institute of Technology—which required a move to Oregon.  At present, Rob is still connected to First Free and administrates their adult growth classes from a distance.  However, this opportunity helped Rob to recognize that if he can use the internet tools available to impact a ministry 2000 miles away, those same tools can be used to impact any church anywhere.  Rob became convinced that God wanted him to take the “know how” that he had gained from 28 years of ministry and use it to help churches have effective education ministries.

And so growthclass.org was born. The purpose of growthclass.org is to help churches design and implement a Christian spiritual growth strategy for adults.

Rob has a Master of Christian Studies from New College Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) and a Master of Divinity from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (Fresno, CA), and is ordained through the Evangelical Free Church of America.  Rob has authored a number of articles and a devotional web site, BeholdHim.Org which contains guided readings for Holy Week and Advent.