2010 Plan Update #33: May/June 2004

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

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. CHURCH PLANTERS NETWORK.

   Over a dozen people from seven different churches met together for the first official meeting of the conference's Church Planters Network. This new group is for senior pastors of churches establishing off-site congregations as well as church planters and potential planters. The group's next meeting will be Sept. 15th at Valparaiso First UMC.

2. PROSPECTIVE CHURCH PLANTER PROCESS.

   Some additional steps have been added to our conference's church planter exploration process. You can view the process here.

3. POTENTIAL PLANTER ASSESSED.

   Stan Buck, Marianne Chalstrom, and Ed Fenstermacher screened another potential church planter for the conference.

4. CHURCH DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
   • Mentone UMC was given a $5,000 worship-matching grant to launch a new worship service targeting a new group of people.
   • Hartford City Grace UMC received a $64,000 grant (paid out over 18 months) to launch a new worshiping congregation in a local high school this fall.
   • Fort Wayne Good Shepherd UMC received a $100,000 three-year grant for its Open Arms off-site congregation.
   • South Bend Clay UMC received a $50,000 grant to help it expand its congregation by relocating to a new site.
   • Eight Central-city Fort Wayne UMCs received a $6,000 grant to help launch a new ten-week Urban Leadership Academy.

5. CABINET CHURCH DEVELOPMENT GUIDEBOOKS.

   Ed Fenstermacher met with the Cabinet and reviewed a new Church Development guidebook especially for the NIC.

6. NEW RVP RECRUITMENT.

   Ed Fenstermacher and the Cabinet have been recruiting churches for this fall's new group of churches that will go through the three-year Redevelopment Venture Process. This will be in addition to the eleven churches already going through it. Two churches have paid $1,200 registration fee at this time.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the projects and churches listed above, and those leading the efforts.
2. Pray for the recruitment of RVP churches, that the right churches decide to participate.
3. Pray for the Jurisdictional Conference; that the NIC receives a new Bishop that is passionate about establishing new congregations and churches.
4. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!