2010 Plan Update #37: January/February 2005
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- JIM GRIFFITH CONSULTATION.
Nationally-known church development consultant, Jim Griffith, met with a number of NIC groups January 7-8th-pastors of churches developing off-site congregations, redevelopment coaches, the Church Development Ministry Team, the Council on Ministries and COM staff. Jim will be returning for a follow-up consultation June 20-22nd. His next visit will include a consultation with the Bishop and Cabinet.
- RVP TEAM RESHAPING EFFORT.
As a result of the Griffith consultation, the conference's Redevelopment Venture Process team has decided to make some strategic changes in the way it assists churches through the redevelopment process. Two team members attended a special coaches training in February and the team will be gathering more input from RVP pastors at a special meeting May 6th. The start of the next group of churches going through RVP has been delayed until early next year.
- NEW STRUCTURE.
In light of the Griffith consultation, Herb Buwalda, incoming chair of the new Church Development Ministry Team, along with the other key Church Development leaders, modified the group's new structure, which will be voted on at Annual Conference. The latest proposal is more streamlined than the original proposal.
- NEW HISPANIC CONGREGATION.
A fledgling new Hispanic congregation has been "adopted" by Christ UMC in Fort Wayne. Christ Church, whose original service is made up of both whites and blacks, now has a Spanish-speaking service Sunday afternoons that is attracting around 60 Hispanics each week.
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for the Herb Buwalda and the new Church Development leadership.
- Pray that more of our churches would start new congregations.
- Pray that we would develop a system to more effective attract, screen, and train new leaders.
- Pray for the team that is working on developing a better system to help revitalize our existing churches.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
