2010 Plan Update #17: March 2002

2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.

   Ed shared the 2010 Plan dream with the pastors of the Michiana District and part of the pastors from the Fort Wayne District. He also met with Michelle Cobb and the Lafayette District lay leader and district strategy chair.

2. COMMITTEE ON CHURCH DEVELOPMENT.

   The group discussed ways to become more proactive in facilitating the 2010 Plan and appointed a task force to bring specific recommendations to the group's June 6th meeting.

   The committee also selected the General Board of Global Ministries research department to provide demographic information for our conference. One thousand dollars has been initially allocated.

3. CHURCH PLANTERS.

   Ed met with two potential church planters. One of which is scheduled to be screened by Dr. Ridley in April. The other is working with his district superintendent on launching a potential project in an urban setting.

4. TRAINING.

   This year's School of Congregational Development will be held August 1-6th in Houston, Texas. Ed has mailed brochures to the Cabinet and Committee on Church Development with the names of pastors and churches that the Cabinet may want to encourage to attend. Over 25 leaders from our conference have attended the school the past two years.

5. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

   The Board of Laity has decided to focus on the 2010 Plan at this year's Annual Conference. Ed will be making a presentation at the Laity Session and each district lay leader will highlight examples of churches reaching new population groups for Christ during the laity address.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the churches that are establishing new congregations, especially Angola UMC, Valparaiso First UMC, Lapel Trinity UMC, Fort Wayne Good Shepherd's Open Arms, Elkhart Trinity's Los Somos Unos, South Bend First's La Tierre Prometida, and other Hispanic efforts in Calumet, Fort Wayne and Lafayette.
2. Pray for the two potential church planters mentioned above and pray that additional people will surface who feel called to plant a church and additional churches that feel called to assist in establishing new congregations.
3. Pray for a team that is putting together a Lilly Grant that could help develop leadership to carry-out the 2010 Plan as well as develop all of our pastoral leaders.
4. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!