2010 Plan Update #39: May/June 2005

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

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. CHURCH DEVELOPER RENEWAL FUND.

   The Church Development Ministry Team (CDMT), with the approval of the CF&A and NIC Foundation, established a special endowment fund to provide church planters and church redevelopers with a financial gift so that they can take a vacation with their families for renewal. Only interest from the fund’s principle will be used. The goal is to raise $30,000 for the fund; $5,700 has already been received. A team has been formed to help raise the rest.

2. CHURCH DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATIONS.

   Jim Griffith, founder of Griffith Coaching Network, conducted the following consultations July 20-22nd:

   1. Met with 16 people from 11 churches to explore starting off-site congregations.
   2. Met with the Bishop and Cabinet, and later with the CDTM.
   3. Individually conducted a consultation with four new-congregation projects.
   4. Met with RVP coaches to help create a coaching system for RVP churches.
   5. Met with 15 of the 20 largest NIC church pastors to discuss their role in developing a church planting movement in the conference. They decided to continue talking about ways they might work together.
3. FORT WAYNE DISTRICT PILOT PROCESS.

   At the invitation of the Bishop and Cabinet, the Fort Wayne District Strategy Committee and its DS, Rev. Lamar Imes, have agreed to try a pilot church development process in the district beginning this fall. The process has three parts a) a Next-step Seminar that helps churches assess their strengths and opportunities, and provides some next-step options, b) a congregational assessment for those churches interested, and c) a two-year, team-based Redevelopment Venture Process (RVP). The Next-step Seminar will be held at Auburn First on Sept. 10th.

4. LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE IN FORMATIVE STAGES.

   Key revitalization players in the conference—including Jack Hartman (BOOM Chair), Jack Scott (Recruitment and Leadership Development staff), Frank Beard (Cabinet Rep.), and Dean Fager (Coordinator of Church Revitalization)--decided to pursue the development of a new leadership institute. This institute would prepare clergy and lay leaders in the NIC who feel a call to either plant a church, develop a new faith community, or help redevelop a church. A design team is being formed. The hope is that the institute will be launched next summer.

5. PROJECT UPDATES.

   Pendleton First UMC Charge Conference held on June 23rd unanimously agreed to accept the gift of the former Ingalls UMC and all related property. The gift was offered by the North Indiana Conference Board of Trustees for the development of an Extension Ministry Site. Rev. Tim Wilbur shared the vision of developing the “South Madison Community Center” utilizing the current building and assets, that would include the development of a faith community.

   Merrillville UMC and Plymouth First UMC have both postponed the development of their off-site congregation projects. They are focusing on further developing their main campuses at this time.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the above mentioned churches and their ministries.
2. Pray that Jim Griffith’s consultations will bear additional fruit.
3. Pray for the Fort Wayne District church development pilot process.
4. Pray for those working on designing a new leadership institute.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!