2010 Plan Update #46: July/August 2006

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

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. BISHOP’S BOOT CAMP PLANNED. Bishop Coyner invited NIC church pastors and lay leadership to a training event October 21st. The training is for those responding to his dream of sending seventy people out in teams to start new faith communities. The event will be held at Sonrise UMC in Fort Wayne from 9:30am-4pm EDT. Called the Bishop’s Boot Camp, the event will give participants a step-by-step process they can use to develop an outreach plan that’s appropriate for their context. Rev. Stan Buck, Ed Fenstermacher, and the Bishop will be providing the leadership.

   The event is designed for teams of people who have the dream of launching an off-site faith community on behalf of their church in order to reach the unchurched. A faith community is defined as an on-going group that includes worship, discipleship (e.g. a Bible study), and mission/service. For more information write Ed at ed@nicumc.org.

2. NEW WINESKIN CHURCHES. Rev. Marianne Chalstrom agreed to head up a new Church Development leadership training series for pastors and laity of churches seeking to be more effective in fulfilling their church’s mission. The series, which is being done in cooperation with Ministry Development, will consist of five training sessions over an 18-month period. The series will begin on January 19-20th with a session entitled, “Creating Dynamic and Effective Leadership Teams.” Other leadership skills that will be taught include: spiritual principles for the church and the leader, strategic planning, communication and decision making, and leading through change and consensus building. For more information contact Marianne at mchalstrom@sbcglobal.net or Ed at ed@nicumc.org.

3. RVP STARTING. Whereas New Wineskins provides individuals with leadership skills, the Redevelopment Venture Process (RVP) provides tools churches can apply in order to be more of a transformative force in their communities. Seven churches registered for the new six-session Redevelopment Venture Process. They include Anderson St. Matthew, Avilla Calvary, Griffth First, Maple Grove (MI District), New Haven, North Manchester, and Robinson Chapel UMCs. The first session begins September 16th.

4. VALPO LAUNCHES NEW CONGREGATION. After a developing a small-group based congregation of nearly 80 adults, plus kids, Valpo First’s New Song congregation held its first public worship service on August 28th. The service, held in a downtown Buffalo Wild Wings Bar and Grill, had 195 people in attendance, about half of whom were new!

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the Bishop’s dream and the October 21st training event.
2. Pray for the New Wineskin Churches training series that the right churches and individuals take advantage of it.
3. Pray for the churches beginning the Redevelopment Venture Process, Sept. 16th.
4. Pray for Valpo First and other churches starting new off-site congregations.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!