2010 Plan Update #38: March/April 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. KEY REVITALIZATION PLAYERS MET.

   Rev. Dean Fager, the new Coordinator of Church Revitalization for the conference, and Ed Fenstermacher called together the leader of BOOM, the new Leadership Development Ministry Team chair, the Ministry Development staff person, two DS’s, and three RVP Coaches for a meeting with Rev. Doug Anderson to talk about how they all might work together in helping NIC’s churches to become more effective in ministry. An initial revitalization strategy resulted.

2. CABINET SUPPORTS REVITALIZATION STRATEGY.

   Rev. John Randall and Ed Fenstermacher presented the Bishop and Cabinet with the revitalization strategy. The Cabinet selected a district to consider pilot-testing it.

   The strategy begins with a simple self-administered church assessment, the results of which each church will discuss at its fall Charge Conference. For those churches interested, there will be a follow-up event at which several “next-step” revitalization processes will be presented (including RVP). Churches will be able to select the appropriate process, and coaches will be provided to assist them through it.

3. HISPANIC MINISTRIES.

   The conference Hispanic Ministries Team met with four DS’s and representatives from district Hispanic committees to identify ways to better work together and to identify needed Hispanic resources. Hispanic committees are being formed in at least five districts—Calumet, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Michiana, and Warsaw.

4. BLACK CHURCH DEVELOPMENT.

   The new Black Church Development Ministry Team met for the first time. The team intends to meet with each predominately African-American congregation in the NIC to determine how best to assist them. The team also will promote the General Church’s Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century program. In March, Gary Christ UMC had a team participate in the program.

5. JIM GRIFFITH CONSULTATION.

   The itinerary for Jim Griffith’s June 20-22th consultation with the NIC was firmed up. Griffith, who is a nationally-known church development consultant and coach, will be providing:

   • one-to-one consultations with six churches that are launching off-site congregations,
   • a meeting with other churches that are considering starting off-site congregations,
   • meetings with the Bishop and Cabinet, and the Church Development Ministry Team,
   • a meeting to help develop a conference coaching strategy,
   • and a meeting with pastors of the NIC’s twenty largest churches.

6. CHURCH DEVELOPER RENEWAL FUND.

   A special endowment fund is being established to provide church planters and church redevelopers with a financial gift so that they can take a vacation with their families for renewal. The impetus for this fund was an anonymous gift of $5,000 specifically for this purpose. Another $25,000 will need to be raised, because only interest from the fund will be used.

7. PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD.

   Some highlights.. Fort Wayne St. Joseph UMC voted to purchase 30 acres of nearby land on which to expand its ministry. Lapel Trinity UMC had a ground breaking at the church’s second campus not far from I-69. Plans are to first establish a day care in the new facility, and eventually a worshiping congregation. Pendleton First UMC established a task force to explore the possibility of developing a ministry outpost in the building being vacated by the Ingalls UMC, which is closing. Portage First UMC has purchased nearly 27 acres of land adjacent to its present site for an eventual expansion/relocation of its congregation.

8. BISHOP COYNER.

   Ed Fenstermacher met with Bishop Coyner to discuss the NIC’s Church Development effort. Here are some key comments from Bishop Mike…

   • He sees his role as being the “flag bearer” and “cheerleader” at times, and the “spear carrier” at other times, prodding the NIC and its churches to action.
   • He believes the NIC must primarily rely on its churches to plant new churches, not the conference. Yet, District Superintendents are key partners in the process.
   • He believes the NIC must be open to a variety of models and not be afraid to fail.
   • As far as church development in general, he lists the following priorities: developing leadership, reaching diverse populations (e.g. ethnic minorities), and engaging healthy churches in the effort.
   • He does not feel the NIC leadership must wait until they have a “master plan” for church development; rather, by focusing now on specific parts of the task, they can begin to change the whole system (i.e. the NIC church development culture).

   He is very supportive and encouraging of the effort!

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the above church projects, and the others going on right now in the NIC.
2. Pray for the NIC’s outreach, especially to ethnic-minority and low-income populations.
3. Pray that God will powerfully use the Griffith consultations.
4. Pray for the pilot-testing of the new church revitalization strategy in a district.
5. Pray for the Bishop and the new Church Development leadership and structure.
6. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!