2010 Plan Update #24: November/December 2002
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- CHURCH PLANTERS.
A team consisting of Karen Lyndon, Stan Buck, and Ed Fenstermacher was created to initially screen potential church planters. This team screened a candidate for the Fort Wayne District last month.
Another potential church planter, who was screened by Dr. Charles Ridley in October, received a very positive assessment. This pastor is being considered to plant a new church in Schererville.
- CABINET ACTIVITY.
The Cabinet approved the following 2010 Plan proposals presented to them by Ed Fenstermacher:
- To hold a leadership summit in 2003 for leaders of churches that are considering daughtering a new church or developing a new congregation in another location.
- To hold a training day in 2003 that offers churches a variety of workshops designed to help them reach new population groups for Christ.
- To offer a limited number churches the opportunity to participate in a new redevelopment process led by Ed Fenstermacher.
- An NIC redevelopment system. (See below.)
- FORT WAYNE STUDY.
A feasibility study of the north side of Fort Wayne was completed, thanks to the efforts of layman Mel Arnold. The district will use this to help determine whether or not to start a new church.
- CHURCH DEVELOPMENT.
A sub-committee of the Committee on Church Development developed a preliminary plan for the future funding of new-church plants and redevelopment projects in the NIC. The committee also approved a $5,000 matching grant for the Nappanee UMC to help it launch a new worship service.
- CHECK-IN DAY REPORT.
In order to better celebrate and monitor the NIC’s progress in achieving its 2010 Plan’s goals, churches are being asked to complete a brief end-of-the-year report that was in their Check-in Day materials.
- NEW CHURCH FORMED.
Living Water UMC (Huntington District) celebrated its first worship service October 6th. It is the merger of Linn Grove Calvary, Old Salem, and Reiffsburg UMCs. Send them congratulations!
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for Rev. Kevin Buckley and the new Pathways UMC in South Bend.
- Pray for possible new churches in Schererville, north Fort Wayne, and Valparaiso.
- Pray for Rev. Oscar Ramos and our conference’s Hispanic faith communities.
- Pray for the new Living Water church.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
2010 Plan: Redevelopment System
(Supported by the Cabinet, December 10, 2002)
Definition
Local church redevelopment is defined as local-churches striving to become more faithful in carrying out the mission to which God has called them.
The objective of church redevelopment isn’t church growth, or even church health, though these may likely result as churches more faithfully carry out their mission.
Facts
- Sources indicate that 80-85% of U.S. churches are plateaued or declining.
- In the NIC, 69% of churches have not grown by five or more people in average worship the past five years.
Assumptions
- Not all North Indiana Conference churches are interested in redevelopment.
- Redevelopment doesn’t happen through an event but, rather, a process.
- Different processes will work best with different churches.
- Developing and sustaining leadership is key.
Components of the System
- REDEVELOPMENT PROCESSES. Such as…
- The Discovery Church Journey – Self-led. It’s an approximately 18-week process designed to help a local church to discover what God is calling it to be and do. Using a workbook, written by Dr. Douglas Ruffle from the General Board of Global Ministries, a team from the local church conducts this self-led process.
- The Academy for Church Leadership – Doug Anderson. A two-and-a-half-year process to equip participants to become even more effective leaders in the life of the church. Cost per person: $250 for five sessions.
- Discerning and Carrying Out God’s Will for Your Church – Ed Fenstermacher. This two-year process takes a limited number of churches through a visioning process that results in the establishment of specific goals and implementation strategies for the local congregation.
- REDEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
- Develop a pool of church leaders screened, trained, and equipped to lead a church that is ready for redevelopment.
- Develop a team of conference consultants/coaches that can provide expert support to leaders of churches in a redevelopment process (such as Doug Anderson is presently doing).
- REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS.
- Church Development grants to churches reaching new population groups for Christ through the starting new worship services or ethnic faith communities, establishing off-site or new congregations, or relocating to a new site.
