What do the pregnant Mary and Elizabeth of the Christmas story have to do with congregational development?  And how does the "deep middle" of the redevelopment journey–a place of not knowing but of being open to and grounded in God’s love–relate?  Find out by reading the following article from the CourageousSpace October 2009 e-newsletter, which is reprinted with permission.

Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Leadership and the Deep Middle by Mary K. (Sellon) Huycke.  In our most recent book, Pathway to Renewal, Dan and I address both the three organizational phases work and the inner work required of the people and the pastor of a congregation engaged in renewal.  Put onto the classic "life cycle of a congregation" diagram the path of the inner work looks something like this:

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The following is the September 2009 "Background Data for Mission" article distributed by the General Board of Global Ministries Research Office and is reprinted by permission.

Many experienced congregational developers who are starting new churches, or working to bring new life and vitality to existing churches, may be sensing that this work does not come as easily as it used to.  Of course, unless one was extraordinarily gifted and well supported in a ripe mission field, it was never really easy.  Yet these are different times and the trend seems to be that the times will only get more challenging in the foreseeable future.  Even those not involved in congregational development may sense that there have been changes afoot in our culture that impact the church’s presence in that culture, though perhaps they are not able to articulate what those changes are.  There are indeed changes and those who are serious about impacting the mission field around them may have to reevaluate their mission plans.

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This is a photo of just a few of our growing number of Hispanic leaders in the Indiana Conference.  The Indiana Conference now has over 80 persons who have attended the Hispanic Module 1 course.  The course’s purpose is to equip leaders to help start new Hispanic/Latino faith communities and ministries.  Many of those trained are still involved in Hispanic/Latino ministry throughout the state. 

Although Hispanics are the second largest ethnic minority group in Indiana, their numbers are projected to grow the next five years by 22%, rising to over 400,000 people of Hispanic/Latino heritage.  According to an article posted by the Barna Group, July 4, 2009, the religious attitudes and beliefs of this group nationwide have changed.  They now are more closely aligned with those of the predominate white culture.  Yet there still are some differences.  Click Barna article for a copy of the study. 

Here are the present Hispanic/Latino United Methodist congregations in the Indiana Conference.  Please keep them and this effort in your prayers!

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This story is from Dave Marty, pastor of the Faith Chapel UMC, located in rural Huntington District.  The church averages just over 100 attenders in worship each week.  What’s going on in your church’s mission field?  If you’d like to share with your sister congregations how God is moving, send your story to Ed Fenstermacher at ed@nicumc.org.  Here’s what Dave has to report…

Of course you already knew about us having replaced the pews in the sanctuary with moveable chairs; and I’m pleased to say within the past two months we’ve finally moved further into our vision for ministry by having a community movie night ("Fireproof") with snacks and discussion in the sanctuary, plus a "Mission Focus Weekend" complete with a dinners and presentations in the sanctuary.  But that was small potatoes compared to…

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This past Sunday, Selma United Methodist Church successfully launched its Muncie-based Compass Church congregation with 160 people in attendance!  Of these, according to Selma UMC’s senior pastor Rev. Mark Ellcessor, fifty newcomers from outside the church’s existing launch team attended.  Here’s what the campus pastor, Jeff Ellis, had to say to his launch team this week…

What a great day we had on Sunday.  You may have noticed that we had several new families that came.  Well, we have a follow-up team that has been making phone contacts with these new people and here is just a little bit of feedback.

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It’s not too late to register for the Module 1 Hispanic/Latino training course being offered by the conference Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at Southport UM Church in Indianapolis.  This will be especially helpful for churches interested in ministry with Hispanics/Latinos.

Module 1, a part of the United Methodist Church’s National Plan for Hispanic Ministry, is the first step for laity who are interested in becoming Hispanic “lay missioners” of the United Methodist Church.  Pastors can become “pastor mentors” who help lay missioners as they work with a Hispanic/Latino ministry in their church or community.  Module 1, however, is a great place for Hispanics and non-Hispanic laity and clergy to begin, whether or not they wish to become lay missioners or pastor mentors. 

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If a person were to walk into your church could they quickly understand what its member expectations are?  Or does your church even have clear expectations? 

At Southwest Airlines, their expectations are so simple and concise that within a few minutes a bunch of UM Church Developers and I were able to recite them from memory.  They are to have 1) a WARRIOR SPIRIT, determined to fight against all odds to make something happen, 2) a SERVANT’S HEART, follow the golden rule, treat others with respect, be egalitarian, and 3) demonstrate a FUN-LOVING ATTITUDE.

What would your church be like if every member exhibited those three expectations? 

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MissionInsite is planning to change from 2008 data to 2009 data by next week.  The new data will also include projections to the year 2014.  Anyone a part of an Indiana United Methodist church can access this data 24/7 at no cost, thanks to underwriting by Church Development funds.  To become a registered user, follow the steps given below. 

Need help in navigating the site, producing or analyzing reports?  Consider attending a free one-hour on-line workshop with Ed Fenstermacher.  A "basic" class will be offered Oct. 28 and an "advanced" Nov 3.  He is also willing to bring the workshops to your church.

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If a church wants to raise the level of its members’ commitment to its mission, it should take a close look at Southwest Airlines.  Yes, that’s right, a secular business.  The Indiana Conference’s Church Development staff had the privilege of spending a day at the company’s headquarters in Dallas this past week, attending a seminar especially designed for United Methodist church developers.  The focus of the training event was on how to develop culture throughout an organization. 

One only needs to walk down the hallways of its five-story building, to quickly realize that this company values its employees.  The walls are covered with pictures of them and their families, including key life events–weddings, births, and other celebrations.  Southwest realizes that its employees are its greatest asset and they come first. 

What do your church’s walls look like? 

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What can one person do to impact hunger in their community?  Elizabeth Abel, a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Elkhart, proves that one person can do a lot–even when that person is ninety years old! 

The church had been giving away potatoes, bread, and garden produce to those in need.  So when Elizabeth got ready to celebrate her ninetieth birthday, she decided to ask people to bring food to give to the hungry, rather than a gift for her.  As a result, not only did the church fill an entire room with food, but it began an on-going food ministry.  And on Oct. 18th, the church will dedicate its Elizabeth Abel Food Pantry.   Praise God!

So what is God inviting you to do to transform your church’s community?