Being Vital: Small Membership Congregations Pressing Forward

Being Vital: Small Membership Congregations Pressing Forward

Phil. 3: 12-14 / Message I m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I m off and running, and I m not turning back. Let s Pray!

Guest Teaching Partner Rev. Dr. Jacqui King Leadership Ministries As the Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality, I equip leaders to lead effectively. While developing leadership resources for local congregations, engaging network groups in new processes to implement core strategies, designing and promoting online learning through webinars, I also serve as a design team member for the School of Congregational Development.

Thanks to Generous Givers This training event is provided as a service of the Discipleship Ministries and is supported locally by the District Offices and United Methodist congregations within the New York Annual Conference.

WHO ARE WE? Share your name, church and function Write (2) God-sightings Write (1) challenge

Video Experience by Hezekiah Walker

What is God calling my congregation to do? What does mission and ministry look like in my corner of the world?

Be Vital: Small Membership Congregations Pressing Forward Mission & Ministry: Unfolding God s Calling, Understanding Culture, & Loving Our Community Share our H.O.P.E. Discipleship Process Vitality in Action Connection story between the church and community? Missional Focus MissionInsite Connection with Faith Stories & God-sightings N.O.W. & Single Governance Leadership Models Resources / Prayers / Embrace Vitality Living H.O.P.E. in Your Space Conversations / Questions / Closing Prayer

Vitality makes room to connect with living out our faith journey! Seeking God to direct our path! Building relationships through worship, mission, small groups and leadership development. Expecting God to move.

Vital congregations offer H.O.P.E. Hospitality Opportunity Purpose Engagement

Let s walk through the H.O.P.E. Disciple-Making Process www.umcdiscipleship.org

GBOD Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Vital Congregations are seeking to be God s heart! What s at the heart of your vital congregation? 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Vital congregations are: Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that welcome all people (Gal.3:28) Places where disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20) Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21) www.umc.org/how-we-serve/vital-congregations

Vital congregations have: Inviting and inspiring worship Engaged disciples in mission and outreach Gifted, empowered, effective, inspired and equipped lay and clergy leadership Small Group ministries Strong children s & youth ministries www.umc.org/how-we-serve/vital-congregations

GBOD Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide What does vitality look like? Erin M. Hawkins, General Secretary of GCORR, said an essential piece of congregational vitality is the ability of a congregation to reflect the world around it. That cannot be done without reaching more people, younger people and more diverse people. 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide When WE Wonder together Ask the question: How are vital congregations connected with communities? "A vital church knows about what is happening at schools, libraries, at businesses, and with folks who live down the street," she says. The evidence of that is "what people pray about, what is printed in the bulletin or on the bulletin boards. Statement from: The Rev. Rachel Birkahn-Rommelfanger, senior pastor at Berry United Methodist Church in Chicago and a member of the denomination's Connectional Table, says engagement in the community through "mission, service and justice" is a clear indicator of health. 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD What is our mission? Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide The mission of The United Methodist Church is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 22:36-40). This mission is achieved through vital congregations: + That equip and empower people to be disciples of Jesus Christ. + That are sharing the Gospel in their homes, churches, and communities around the world. + By worshipping in relevant ways, embracing small groups, and ministering with children and youth. 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Missional Focus Four Areas of Focus 1. Engaging in Ministry with the Poor 2. Improving Global Health 3. Developing Principled Christian Leaders 4. Creating New and Renewed Congregations The mission of The United Methodist Church is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 22:36-40). This mission is achieved through vital congregations that equip and empower people to be disciples of Jesus Christ in their homes and communities around the world. www.umc.org 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Community Focus What does the rural community know about your church? How about the urban community? What connection exists? Your leaders? Your Families? Action or Talk? 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Connecting Needs with Ministry Focus What are the greatest needs? 1. Improving Global Health 2. Education 3. Economics 4. Family Potential Partnerships! How is your congregation connecting? 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Great Need: Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Education * Economics * Jobs * Life 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide MissionInSite 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide What God-sightings have you seen lately? What are the greatest ministry needs / passion? 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Single Board Governance Model (Recommended Numbers) Finance (3) Trustees (3) SPRC (3) Lead Pastor (1) Lay Leader / (1) Lay Member to Annual Conference (1) Context (3) [Worship, Mission, Care Team] Nominations (1)

Taking Steps Forward: Single Board Actions in 60 days Action in 90 Days Actions in 120 days Pray and meet in small groups to understand key needs to help church to connect mission in your community. What does alignment look like? What are your hopes? Roundtable discussions and / town hall meetings with Pastoral Leaders and District Superintendent Charge Conference Pastoral and leadership work together to strengthen process to identify goals, leaders and timelines. Small groups to equip teams to lead change! Commit to implement change!

Nurture Outreach Witness Model: Committees report to one Team Leader Nurture Outreach Witness Administration Worship Committee Ushers / Greeters Music Ministry Communion Outreach / Compassion / Church & Society Evangelism SPRC Faith Formation Adult Sun. School Youth Groups Small Groups Higher Education / Health & Welfare / Civic Concerns Lay Servants Trustees / Finance Communications Nominations

Taking Steps Forward: N.O.W Actions in 60 days Pray and meet in small groups to understand key needs to help church to connect mission in your community. What does alignment look like? What are your hopes? Actions in 120 days Pastoral and leadership work together to strengthen process to identify goals, leaders and timelines. Small groups to equip teams to lead change! Commit to implement change!

Resources & Prayers / Hopes Attend your Annual Conference sponsored events to learn more about vitality in your ministry area. Ask God to reveal your passion. Face your fears by prayerwalking your community and fasting about your next steps. Connect and invite new people into your space. Begin by taking steps to restore trust while building community.

Resources GBOD & Tools Possible Book Studies Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Websites & Articles Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide New Church Starts: http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/new-churchstarts/training Prayer of Leadership Changes for Pastors and Churches: http://mastersdust.com/2015/06/12/a-prayerfor-pastors-and-churches-in-transition/ Lewis Leadership Resources on Vitality: http://www.churchleadership.com/pdfs/dsvita litymatrix.pdf Discipleship Ministries / Special Worship Services http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/servic es-related-to-congregations-and-buildings 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

GBOD Upcoming Events Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Save-the-date: August 17 through 20, 2016 For More Info: www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/school-ofcongregational-development-2016 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Contact Info: Jacqui King Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality, Discipleship Ministries jking@umcdiscipleship.org 615.340.7295

GBOD Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide Questions? 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Breath Prayers A helpful way to become centered and focused Breathe out doubt; breathe in assurance Breathe out worry; breathe in peace of mind Breathe out hatred; breathe in love Breathe out war; breathe in peace Breathe out turmoil; breathe in harmony Breathe out insecurity; breathe in God s presence Breathe out emptiness; breathe in fulfillment Breathe out selfishness; breathe in generosity Breathe out darkness; breathe in God s everlasting light www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/breath-prayerpersonal-and-community-prayers Prayer Changes Things!

Being Vital: Starts GO IN PEACE Blessings in your leadership. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience with God & Us Today!