The Ministry Plan

Transcription

1 The Ministry Plan Florence Christian Church 300 Main Street Florence KY (859) Ministry ext. Plan, 550 Page

2 Dear Church Family, I am excited to present the Florence Christian Church Narrative Ministry Plan! Really???? Yes, REALLY! Stewardship campaigns are often regarded with a sense of dread and anxiety in congregations. Why? I think there are two primary factors: First, there s a misunderstanding of stewardship as simply raising money for the church. Stewardship isn t about another bill to pay it s about our lives as believers in the risen Christ, both individually and as a community of faith. Secondly, most of us don t really get excited looking a numbers on a spreadsheet; especially when they are categorized by dull words like Administration and Property. The Narrative Ministry Plan tells a story our story of mission and vision for the future. It highlights the ministries of Florence Christian Church in such a way as to encourage you to see how your giving changes lives! Our theme for is A Year of Wholeness. What does it mean to be whole persons? What does it mean to be whole as a church? We considered this as we developed this year s ministry plan. It consolidates all the ministries of Florence Christian Church, including the Discover Zone Preschool and Childcare Center. We hope you will see the impact we are making through our whole ministry for Christ s Kingdom in our community! May we be faithful, Pastor Susan Diamond Stewardship is all I do with all I have once I say, Lord Jesus, I believe. Page 2, Ministry Plan

3 Celebrating God s Welcome Table Through Abundant Mission and Outreach Support Since 1978, Florence Christian Church has been serving children and families in our area through our weekday childcare/ preschool ministry known as the Discover Zone. With our afterschool program, the Adventure Zone, we have literally touched thousands of families with God s love and exceptional care. Currently we host 150+ children from the Tri- State every week of the year! Our pastors and support staff contribute a significant portion of time and resources to this ministry, along with our excellent Discover Zone director Let the little children come to me and do not stop them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Matthew 19:15) and staff. These resources and the housing of this ministry on our campus, are just a few of the ways that Florence Christian Church is making a forever difference in the lives of families in Northern Kentucky Ministry Plan, Page 3

4 OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Christmas Offering Easter Offering Pentecost Offering Thanksgiving Offering Florence Christian Church is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada. We partner with our district, region and general ministries of our denomination in an effort to reach beyond our local community as we support global mission, social justice efforts, ministries to the poor and marginalized, seeking reconciliation and wholeness through our witness. In addition, we are involved in community outreach partnership through ministries like Mary Rose Mission, Isaiah House, Action Ministries, Florence Christian s School Supply Drive, Angel Tree and Turkey Supper. Over all, our Ministry Plan giving for Outreach and Mission will be $807,264 or 61% of our overall Ministry Plan! Share with the Lord s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13) Page 4, Ministry Plan

5 Celebrating God s Welcome Table Through Abundant Faith Formation and Worship To equip God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:12) Faith Formation is about helping children, youth and adults to grow in knowledge and love of God as we learn how to incorporate faith into daily living. We believe Faith Formation is a lifelong process. Through classes, small groups meeting at church and in homes, through intergenerational gatherings and more we create opportunities to bring faith in God into real life. New Traditions, Wired Worship, Kid s Quest and Children Worship & Wonder offer meaningful times to grow in love of God and each other for everyone every Sunday. Relevant preaching, lively and inspirational singing, and gathering around the Table of our Lord where EVERYONE is welcome is offered each time we gather for worship. These ministries of Faith Formation and Worship make up 24% of our Ministry Plan Ministry Plan, Page 5

6 Celebrating God s Welcome Table Through Abundant Pastoral Care & Membership Development For wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am among them. Matthew 18:20 As a congregation, we engage in a variety of acts of care for members, friends, and our community. Births, dedications, baptisms, weddings, illnesses, family struggles and conflict, and funerals are all times when we, the church, respond to people s pastoral needs. Our pastors and elders visit the sick and homebound, bringing communion, encouragement and prayer. Members of the Home Touch and Pie Day Ministry visit our homebound each month with treats, church information and gifts made by our children. Our prayer team prays each week for those who have specific prayer concerns. Our youth engage in loving mission to those who struggle. Pastor Susan leads a weekly chapel at Arcadia Senior Center as a way of connecting with our members and friends there. Our pastors provide counseling and guidance when appropriate. Hours are spent by our pastors and staff for members, friends and the community, celebrating life through weddings and funerals and new births. Hours are spent by our ministers with individuals and families, preparing for and during surgery or illness, experiencing life transitions when other stressful circumstances occur. Milestones of life are recognized and celebrated as well through our presence and support. They also share by having fun with our church family and friends! Page 6, Ministry Plan

7 Our ministry offers the congregation opportunities for fellowship activities that help connect members as friends as they live out their faith as one body of Christ. We do this through: Coffee fellowship between worship services each week Special events like church-wide dances, Trunk or Treat, Turkey Supper and Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt Small groups that meet at church and in homes Community meals and conversations Our ministry enables us to enjoy fun, food and fellowship in Christian love! The ministries of Pastoral Care and Membership Development Support make up 13% of our Ministry Plan. Celebrating God s Welcome Table Through Abundant Evangelism, Information Technology and Communications How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard of him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14) There are many ways we are spreading the word about God s amazing grace, love and acceptance at Florence Christian Church. We are reaching folks through our weekly and monthly publications in print, and social media. This year, in an effort to improve communication, we are expanding our information technology to include Wi-Fi, Ministry Plan, Page 7

8 faster Internet, and a new phone system. But we are also spreading the word literally person to person through word of mouth. We re telling friends, co-workers and family members about all the ways God is doing great things through Florence Christian. And for those who are try- florencechristian.org ing to grow in faithfulness in sharing faith, we ve offered sermons and courses that help us Talk Faith. We re growing Through Membership! Through Service! Through Discipleship! The ministries of evangelism, Information Technology and Communications Support is 11% of our Ministry Plan Celebrating God s Welcome Table Through Abundant Facilities and Administration Support Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (I Peter 4:10) Page 8, Ministry Plan

9 God has given us so much to be thankful for: our health, our families, our material blessings to be sure. But the GREATEST gift we have been given is faith in God s abundant love, grace, acceptance and salvation! One of the means by which we recognize and develop that gift of faith is the church. And while Florence Christian Church is not a building, but a people we have been given an amazing church facility out of which we worship, learn, grow, and do amazing mission. Between our weekday childcare ministry, the Discover Zone and Church ministry programs, Florence Christian Church has a $1.3 MILLION Ministry Plan. Part of that Ministry Plan ensures excellent leadership and staff support, but another significant portion of our giving ensures the sustainability of our amazing HOUSE God s house of worship, learning, fellowship and mission. The ministries of Facilities and Administration Support is 36% of our total Ministry Plan. Your giving provides the means to make all this happen! Ministry Plan, Page 9

10 All of this, and so much more happens because of the faithful gifts of each one of you. Thank you! Thank you for being a ministry partner in the mission of Florence Christian Church. YOU are making a difference in God s Kingdom! Page 10, Ministry Plan

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12 BUILDING A LEGACY...WHO ME? Do you want your life to make a difference? Yes? How about forever? There are many ways that followers of Jesus can make a difference in the lives of those we touch every day, demonstrating God s love and grace by our thoughts, words and actions. Every Christian is called to the Way Christ showed us and taught us to live. One of the many ways we support the mission and ministry of our congregation is through our financial giving. Each year, we are encouraged to offer a pledge of support for the annual ministry plan that is reflected through the church budget. This enables us to keep moving forward to make a difference in our community. Another opportunity that Florence Christian Church is making available to make a difference forever is through our Permanent Fund, a continuous stream of income for mission and ministry in addition to the regular tithes and offerings of our congregation. Becoming a Legacy Builder is as easy as remembering the church in your will or naming the church as a beneficiary of a life insurance or 401K, along with other possibilities. If you are interested in learning how you can become a Legacy Builder, please be in touch with Glenna Galbraith ( ). Page 12, Ministry Plan