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2010 Plan: Financial Grants for Local Churches

Our Call to Reach the Unreached

The North Indiana Conference 2010 Plan's objective is enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ. To help facilitate this to happen, the Committee on Church Development is offering the following financial grants during 2003 and 2004:

  1. NEW WORSHIP SERVICES. Those churches establishing a new worship service to reach a new population group are eligible for a matching grant of up to $5,000.
  2. ETHNIC FAITH COMMUNITIES. Churches establishing a new ethnic minority "faith community" are eligible for a $5,000 grant in support once the faith community reaches an average weekly attendance over a three-month period of at least twenty adults and the trend is toward growth.
  3. MULTI-SITE/SECOND CAMPUSES. Churches establishing a multi-site congregation of 200+ in average weekly worship are eligible for a grant of $50,000 to $100,000, which would be paid out as the church determines it's needed. Churches establishing a multi-site congregation of 50-200 in worship are eligible for a $10,000 to $50,000 grant depending on the project.
  4. NEW CHURCHES. Churches daughtering churches of 200+ in average worship are offered the following funding package from Church Development: 3/4 the cost of a church planter in year one; 1/2 cost of planter year two; 1/4 cost of church planter year three. Also, the church would be eligible for up to a $75,000 grant for the new congregation, which would be paid out as the church determines it's needed.
  5. RELOCATIONS. Growing churches that are likely to become regional are eligible for a grant of $10,000 to $50,000 to help them relocate to a more strategic location.
  6. OTHER MODELS. Other models to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ may also be eligible for funding.

The Bishop and Cabinet's Consent and Support

In accordance with The Book of Discipline (259.1-2), a church that is exploring the possibility of using one of the above strategies--even if it isn't seeking financial help from the conference--need to contact its district superintendent.

Helping to establish a new congregation or faith community (strategies 2-4), requires the consent of the bishop and cabinet. Relocating (strategy 5) requires the district Board of Church Location and Building's approval (¶2543.2).

A church contacting its district superintendent early on will allow them to provide the church with their prayers, support, and counsel.

How It Works

STEP 1: PRAY. A church prayerfully considers those God is calling it to reach. Helpful demographic information is available through Ed Fenstermacher, the Associate Director for Church Development and Revitalization, at the Conference Service Center.

STEP 2: PLAN. If God seems to be leading the church to reach out to and minister with a particular group of people outside the congregation, it should begin to put together a plan to reach such a group. Examples of potential target groups include unchurched parents of a church's day care or Vacation Bible School children, those living in a nearby apartment complex or mobile home community, a particular ethnic group, younger or older adults, persons with handicapping conditions or illnesses, single moms, and persons with low incomes.

Plans should use an appropriate outreach model. Those listed on the previous pages are some examples. Ed Fenstermacher can help you develop your plan.

STEP 3: SEEK SUPPORT. As mentioned at the bottom of the previous page, some models will require your district superintendent and district board of church location and building's support as well as the consent of the bishop and the cabinet--even if no conference funds will be used. Consult with your district superintendent early on for their guidance, support, and prayers.

STEP 4: APPLY FOR GRANTS. If your church needs financial assistance to implement your plan, it may be eligible for funds from the district or conference. To apply for conference grants, either contact Ed Fenstermacher or go to the following pages:

STEP 5: APPROVAL PROCESS.

  • A completed Church Development grant or loan application should be submitted to your district superintendent. (Worship grants should be submitted to the Service Center.)
  • They will then take it to the bishop and cabinet for their consideration and support.
  • Once supported it will automatically be sent to the Committee on Church Development for its consideration. It usually meets early March, June, and September.

Grants submitted two weeks prior to a Committee on Church Development meeting usually will be approved (or denied) within a four-week period of time. Once approved, a grant can begin to be paid right away if its terms so direct.

Questions? Contact Ed Fenstermacher at the Conference Service Center.
Call 800.783.5138 or e-mail ed@nicumc.org.