2010 Plan Update #32: March/April 2004
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- CHURCH PLANTING NETWORK.
Twelve people from nine different churches met with Dan Motto and Ed Fenstermacher to discuss the formation of a Church Planting Network group. This group will be for senior pastors of churches establishing off-site congregations as well as church planters and potential planters. The group's first official meeting will be held May 27th at Fort Wayne Good Shepherd UMC's Open Arms site.
- SCHERERVILLE NEW CONGREGATION.
The Committee on Church Development approved a three-year grant totaling $100,000 to help the Merrillville UMC establish a new congregation in Schererville, Indiana. Schererville is a town of 25,000 people with no United Methodist Church.
- NEW SOUTH MADISON COUNTY CHURCH.
Ed Fenstermacher, Dan Motto, and Rob Neal (who chaired a new-church study committee for the Marion District) met with leadership of the First UMC of Pendleton to discuss the possibility of the church spearheading the development of a new faith community in the Ingalls area. The church leaders were receptive and will explore the possibility.
- OTHER NEW OFF-SITE POSSIBILITIES.
Rev. Rob Seewald indicated that the Beaver Dam UMC was open to exploring the possibility of planting a new church in the town of Silver Lake. Rev. Gary Hall reports that Grace UMC is exploring the possibility of launching an off-site worship service to reach people in the town of Hartford City.
- CHURCH PLANTER ASSESSMENT.
Rev. Matthew Stultz has been approved by his District Superintendent to be assessed as a potential church planter. The assessment will be conducted on May 7th by Revs. Stan Buck, Marianne Chalstrom, & Ed Fenstermacher.
- REDEVELOPMENT VENTURE PROCESS.
A new group of twelve churches are being recruited to go through the three-year redevelopment process, which will begin this fall. A new brochure has been developed and is being distributed to prospective churches. Ed Fenstermacher has also done presentations in five congregations so far.
- SOUTHERN WELLS COMMUNITY CHURCH.
The Cabinet officially voted to discontinue the SWCC as a United Methodist church. Ed Fenstermacher has done an analysis of this new-church plant, which he has shared with the Cabinet and Committee on Church Development. SWCC will continue as an independent church.
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for the projects and churches listed above, and those leading the efforts.
- Pray for Rev. Dan Love and his wife Shirley as they leave SWCC and pray for the success of the SWCC congregation.
- Pray for the South Wayne UMC and its fledgling Hispanic faith community.
- Pray for the Goshen First UMC and Karen Lyndon, as they continue to grieve the loss of Dick. Pray for Rev. Mark Gough as he prepares to serve as the church's senior pastor.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
