Developing Your Ministry Plan 2: Discovering your Congregation s Niche Craig Kennet Miller Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Ministry Plan 1: Congregational DNA Thursday, September 24, 1:00 PM CST Ministry Plan 2: Discovering your Congregation s Niche Thursday, October 1, 1:00 PM CST Ministry Plan 3: Discovering your Discipleship Process Thursday, October 8, 1:00 PM CST Ministry Plan 4: Worship, Small Groups & The Next 12 Months Thursday, October 29, 1:00 PM CST 2 Where is our Audience Today? 3
What Webinar is the 1 lifecycle Review of the church? Congregational DNA Discipleship System Niche Affection
Assignment 1: Budget Breakdown MORTAR MISSION MINISTRY/DISCIP LESHIP LEADERSHIP Debt Reduction Apportionments Worship Vision Casting Facilities Upkeep Local outreach Discipleship Administrative Capital Improvements Personnel: Custodial, gardening, etc. Global outreach Personnel: Staff related to ministry in the community or global initiatives, etc. Based on Change the World by Mike Slaughter Children, youth, young adults, older adults Personnel: Choir director, paid musicians, staff related to specific ministries like Children's Director Youth Director, Discipleship, Visitation, etc. Support services for all other ministries Personnel: Lead Pastor, administrative staff, pastor s assistant, church secretary, treasurer, etc.
Poll Which tool did you use with a group? 1. Lifecycle of the Church 2. Budget Breakdown 3. Spiritual Life Template 4. All of the above A populace who have a personal and corporate investment in their neighborhood and the people who live there In many urban and rural communities a local church is the last viable institution left in the neighborhood
7 ways a church says you aren t welcome 1. Doors to sanctuary are not open during worship 2. Members enter by the side door 3. Grounds are unkept 4. Closest parking lot to the front door says Pastor or Reserved 5. No website 6. Greeters don t greet 7. Worship service is hard to follow Today s young people are all about Local
Location Location Location Google & Apple Driving directions Eateries Tracking kids The Apple Maps App gave directions that included going onto the airport runway at Fairbanks International Airport to reach the terminal. Two people did it! Ministry by Design
Niche Nexus: What is the center of congregational life? the means of connection, tie, link a connected series or group the core or center Niche Nexus: What is the center of congregational life? the means of connection, tie, link a connected series or group the core or center - Generational Ministries - Children - Youth - Young Adults - Parents - Older Adults - Music Ministry - Worship - Community Outreach - Spiritual life - Means of grace - Sacraments - Prayer Post-Congregational Mindset Congregation Lifestyle Clergy centered People centered Programs Spiritual practices Buildings Community Bring people in Be with the people
Niche Innovation: What ways do you adapt to the culture of the community in order to share the gospel in a way that connects? Niche Innovation: What ways do you adapt to the culture of the community in order to share the gospel in a way that connects? Innovation is not simply adding technology. Its about creating experiences and pathways that are welcoming and easily understood. We will talk more about this in Developing Your Ministry Plan 3 Niche Context: What are the demographics of the community in which your church resides ethnicity, language, age, income, and marital status?
Where to get this data? Mission Insite http://missioninsite.com/ (check you conference office) Zillow www.zillow.com (real estate site that has demographic info) U.S. Census www.census.gov Local Church Profile from GBOD dsmith@gbod.org Page 7 in the Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Handout Dayton, Ohio - Zillow Who Lives Here? The main types of people are: Scrappy Homeowners Homeowning urban singles with low income.pre-middle-age to middleage singles on a lower to middle income who own their own home. Some have a college education and work in services and the professional sector. Ramen Metros Lower-income urban singles.most rent their apartment or condo. Some have a college education and work in services and the professional sector. Urban Bootstrappers Lower-scale single parents living in the city.single parents who support themselves and their children on a low income. A high proportion are female. Most have a high school education or lower, and most rent their homes. Demographics by walking around: Business: Assignment: As you go to a business, see whom they are trying to reach. How are they positioning themselves? (whom are they trying to reach) 1. Atmosphere 2. Dress code 3. Type of product (food, clothing, etc.) 4. Music in the background Do the customers reflect the target audience? How well does the staff reflect the customers? 1. Dress code 2. Way they respond to customers 3. Do they know their product? Service 1. Did you feel welcomed? 2. Did you receive what you requested? 3. Were you served in a timely fashion? What implication does this have for your church? www.scdnetwork.ning.com 2014 Craig Kennet Miller, GBOD Reproducible p. 8 Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Handout
Niche Hopes & Dreams: What are the hopes and dreams of the people who live in the community? Niche Hopes & Dreams: What are the hopes and dreams of the people who live in the community? Long term residents who have experienced decline may have lost hope while newcomers to the neighborhood may see this as a new opportunity to improve their lives and their future.
Niche Experience: What is unique about what you have to offer in the context of community life (sports, non-profits, businesses, etc.)? Niche Experience: What is unique about what you have to offer in the context of community life (sports, non-profits, businesses, etc.)? Churches are in the business of creating experiences of grace - Worship - Small Groups - Visits to homebound/hospital - Outreach - Community based ministries - Sacraments - Prayer p. 9 Developing Your Ministry Plan Webinars Handout
Ministry Plan 2 Assignment What is the lifecycle of the church? 1. Before meeting have your team members do at least 3 Demographics by walking around 2. Start your meeting using the Spiritual Life Template 3. Do the Walking Around Summary 4. Talk about the demographics 5. Fill out the Niche Template 34 For follow-up resources: http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/lead-yourchurch/ministry-plan Innovative Leadership Project www.ilpumc.com Or contact Craig Kennet Miller cmiller@umcdiscipleship.org 35 Questions? 36
Upcoming Webinars Developing Your Ministry Plan 3: Discovering your Discipleship Process Thursday, October 8, 2015 1:00 PM CST Developing Your Ministry Plan 4: Worship, Small Groups & The Next 12 Thursday, October 29, 1:00 PM CST umcdiscipleship.org/webinars 37 Thank you. 38