2010 Plan Update #19: May 2002
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- CABINET.
The Bishop, Cabinet, and Ed Fenstermacher spent the morning of May 14th discussing the implementation of the 2010 Plan. There was a consensus that the recruitment, screening, and training process for potential church planters needs to be improved.
- POTENTIAL CHURCH PLANTER IDENTIFIED.
Rev. Kurt Nichols has been identified as having the characteristics necessary to effectively plant a new church. It is anticipated that the Bishop and Cabinet will ask him to help plant a church next year.
- CHURCH PLANT STARTING.
The Bishop has appointed Rev. Kevin Buckley to help plant a new church targeting apartment residents in South Bend. He will be doing this part time while he pastors Maple Lane UMC. It is anticipated that this Michiana District project will include the collaboration and support of some of the local UMC's. Although $20,000 in local funding--including $10,000 from the district--has already been raised, the project's official start date is mid June.
- ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
The Board of Laity invited Ed Fenstermacher to share about the 2010 Plan during the Laity Session of Annual Conference. Laity were challenged to discuss with their church leaders about how they might get involved. Jack Dwiggins and district lay leaders, the Cabinet, and the CCOM all alluded to the 2010 Plan during their reports at Annual Conference and provided inspirational examples of how churches are reaching new population groups for Christ.
- NEW REPORT FORM.
Enclosed with this 2010 Plan update is a new report that gives a status report on projects throughout the conference that are in the works. If you are aware of a project that isn't listed (or have an update on one listed), please let Ed know and he will include it in next month's update.
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for those projects listed on the enclosed update.
- Pray for Rev. Kevin Buckley and the Michiana District new-church project.
- Pray for the Bishop and Cabinet as they consider how they might improve the recruitment, screening and training process.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
