2010 Plan Update #50: March/April 2007

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

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. SENDING OF THE SAINTS.

   The proposal to Annual Conference from the Church Development Ministry Team was further developed. Training workshops and a packet of resources are being developed for to help churches participate.

   The Sending of the Saints proposal is as follows: "In 2008, each NIC church—alone or in cooperation with another church or churches—is expected to help start at least one faith community or congregation in order to reach, disciple, and serve persons outside their existing congregations.”

2. ETHNIC CHURCH DEVELOPMENT.

   Bishop Coyner, Rev. Michelle Cobb, Cabinet chair, Rev. Jacob Williams, chair of the Strengthening the Black Church Team, and Ed Fenstermacher met twice to discuss the development of ethnic churches. One result is plans for a service of repentance and reconciliation for the NIC’s abandonment of City UM Church, whose ramshackled edifice still stands in downtown Gary. A second result is a special meeting with the Church Development Ministry Team in June to discuss plans for ethnic church planting.

3. NAPPANEE OFF-SITE CONGREGATION.

   Church Development approved a three-year grant to help Nappanee UMC fund the development of a second congregation targeting young adults. Rev. Rob Seewald will be appointed in June as an associate at Nappanee UMC to help lead the project.

4. HISPANIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING.

   Fourteen persons completed Module 2 training and are now Lay Missioners working on a Hispanic ministries projects.

5. CHURCH REDEVELOPERS RENEWAL FUND.

   Revs. Jill Wright at Fort Wayne Christ UMC and Kurt Nichols at Valparaiso First UMC each received a $400 gift from the Church Developers Renewal Fund for a mini-renewal vacation. This is one small way the conference is able to thank them for their work in church development. Jill has helped establish our conference’s largest Hispanic congregation, and Kurt has helped develop our second largest off-site congregation.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the Sending of the Saints proposal as conference votes on it.
2. Pray for the continued development of the ethnic church proposals.
3. Pray for those working on church development that need renewal and hope.
4. Pray for churches as they consider participating in the new RVP group.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!