Pre-Consultation Workshop Participant s Workbook (2015 Edition) Centering (Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 29:11)... 3 Changes in Our World... 5 Five Shifts for Effective Ministry... 7 Nurturing Change in the Church....9 The Life Cycle of a Church...9 Managing Transitions...9 The Roller Coaster of Change...9 1
Pre-Consultation Workshop 2015 Edition NOTES Don t be afraid, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10 2 I o w a A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e
Participant s Workbook Centering PRAYER Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. United Methodist Hymnal, p. 6 JEREMIAH 29:11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. How do our scriptures from Isaiah and Jeremiah speak to us as United Methodist people in Iowa? 2. Where do you have anxieties about the church and the ways our communities are changing in recent years? What do you need to lift up to God in prayer? 3. What gifts do we each bring to our ministries and this learning community to address both our opportunities and concerns? U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 3
Pre-Consultation Workshop 2015 Edition NOTES "I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means." 1 Cor. 9:23 4 I o w a A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e
Participant s Workbook Changes in Our World 1950s Technology Technology Today HYVEE STORES 1962 2013 OTHER CHANGES IN OUR CULTURE U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 5
Pre-Consultation Workshop 2015 Edition NOTES The LORD God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again. Ezekiel 37:5 6 I o w a A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e
Participant s Workbook Five Shifts for Effective Ministry Five Shifts: Helping Congregations Back into the Game of Effective Ministry by Phil Maynard FELLOWSHIP HOSPITALITY As a school for love, the church becomes a congregation where people learn from one another how to love. Robert Schnase, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, p. 18 WORSHIP: EVENT LIFESTYLE So here s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1, Eugene H. Peterson, The Message MEMBERSHIP DISCIPLESHIP So that we may no longer be children,... speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into... Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15 SERVE US SERVICE The world hears the Gospel when it sees it, when its witnesses are clearly committed to a more fully human future, in this world and the next. Albert C. Outler, Evangelism in the Wesleyan Spirit, pp. 103-104 SURVIVAL GENEROSITY Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. John Wesley, Sermon 50, The Use of Money U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 7
Pre-Consultation Workshop 2015 Edition NOTES You must be born anew. John 3:7 8 I o w a A n n u a l C o n f e r e n c e
Participant s Workbook Nurturing Change in the Church THE LIFE CYCLE OF A CHURCH George W. Bullard Jr., Pursuing the Full Kingdom Potential of Your Congregation (cited by Paul Borden, Direct Hit, pp. 133-142) Adulthood VRMS Maturity vrms Adolescence VRMs Empty Nest vrms Birth Vrms Childhood VRMs Infancy VRms V - Vision R - Relationships M - Ministry S - Structure Retirement vrms Old Age vrms Death s CONSULTATION SCHEDULE 1. Friday: interviews 2. Saturday: all-church workshop 3. Sunday: report presented after worship 4. Thirty days to discuss prescriptions and vote to accept or reject them MANAGING TRANSITIONS William Bridges, Managing Transitions, pp. 57-75 Purpose Picture Plan Part U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 9