Sending of the Saints

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Questions & Answers Planning Guide Prayer Guide Discernment Guide Resources & Workshops Church Efforts North Indiana Conference PO Box 869 Marion, IN 46953 1.800.783.5138 info@nicumc.org	Sending of the Saints Questions & Answers What is "Sending of the Saints"? The Sending of the Saints is an initiative of the North Indiana Conference in which “In 2008 and 2009, each NIC church—alone or in cooperation with another church or churches—is expected to help start at least one faith community or congregation in order to reach, disciple, and serve persons outside their existing congregations.” What is meant by a "faith community" or "congregation"? These would be an on-going group that consists of persons who regularly participate in worship, discipleship, and mission/service. Does this mean we’re being asked to start a new church? No. Although some churches may sense God calling them to reach the unchurched through the starting of a new worship service or an off-site congregation, for most it will likely be starting a small group targeting unchurched persons—for example, a Sunday school class, home Bible study, ALPHA group meeting in a home or prison, a study/worship/service group meeting in a mobile home or retirement home community. Those reached ultimately might attend the church’s existing worship services. What’s the point of this? The objective isn’t to grow your church, but rather to go out and reach and disciple those outside your church who are in need of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Who is “expecting” churches to do this? The Annual Conference—which is made up of representatives from each of the conference’s churches—approved this initiative both in 2007 and 2008. Why is this important? Jesus Christ calls us to do it (Matt. 28:19). It helps us fulfill our U.M. church’s purpose to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Studies show that 50% of our population is unchurched. Studies also show that starting new faith communities and congregations is the best way to reach the unchurched. It builds on our Bishop Coyner’s dream of Sending 70 to start new faith communities. How would our church do this? The conference will provide your church with tools to help it get started including the following: A planning guide that explains the Sending of the Saints cycle, A guide for your church to pray for its community, A guide to help your church discern what God’s will is in this matter—who God might be calling your church to intentionally reach, how you might do that, A list of potentially helpful resources, including workshops. Your district will also provide your church with support, encouragement, accountability, and prayer through cluster meetings within the districts. And the conference’s Prayer Team will pray for your church’s effort. How does this effort fit into the “cluster group” concept and the focus on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations? Sending of the Saints (SOS) is the why. It’s the outward part of our church’s mission to go and make disciples for the transformation of the world. The cluster group organizational concept is the how. It’s one forum, along with the local church, through which the SOS can be expressed. Each of the five practices are elements that need to be present in SOS faith communities and congregations if they are to be healthy and effective. What if my church gets stuck or can’t seem to do it? It will be encouraged to team up with another church or churches that do have an outreach plan. What if after discerning God’s will, we decide God doesn’t want us to participate? If after spending time discerning God’s will, your church’s leadership clearly believes God is calling the church to focus elsewhere at this time, simply inform your district superintendent. What’s our next step? Begin working through the Sending of the Saints’ Planning Guide, utilizing the additional SOS resources as needed. Who do we turn to if we have a question? Contact your district superintendent or Ed Fenstermacher at 800.783.5138 or ed@nicumc.org.