September Newsletter(Front)

Submitted by Unknown User on 4 September 2008 - 2:41pm

 

 

 

 

First United Methodist Church 
The Gospel Chimes September 2008 Edition  

 

 

 

- Radical Hospitality

- Passionate Worship

- Intentional Faith Development

- Risk-Taking Mission and Service

- Extravagant Generosity.

People are searching for a church shaped and sustained by these qualities—these five practices. These practices not only describe the congregational activities through which God works to draw people into relationships, they also chart the path for growth in personal discipleship.

Beginning in September, I will be leading 1st UMC in a congregation-wide study of these five practices. The initiative is designed to reach the entire congregation through a three-pronged approach: 1) A Core Leadership Team which oversees planning and implementation; 2) Planning Groups which focus intently on the Five Practices and create action plans to improve these five practices in our congregation; and 3) The entire congregation participates through Sunday worship, at-home devotional readings, and special events.

The goals that I believe can be reached during this initiative are:

  • Unity. I hope that the whole congregation and all our households are unified and strengthened by this experience. I want to draw more people than ever before into study, prayer, and conversation about our purpose and mission.

  • Clarity of Purpose. I hope that our church leaders become clear about our church’s mission and their place within it, as well as become more confident about the future of our church.

  • New People. I hope that this initiative will foster greater participation, leadership, and engagement from the people who are new to our church, or those who have felt on the “outside looking in” in relation to church ministries, leadership, etc.

  • Plans, Strategies, and Action. I hope that talk and prayer become action and ministry as our leaders and members begin to evaluate, improve, and expand the work of the church through new strategic plans and ministries.

  • Commitment to Christ. I hope that through these experiences our people grow closer to Christ and experience a reinvigorated sense of purpose and connection to the ministry of Christ.

Over the past three years I’ve studied many of the most vibrant churches in America. At the same time, I have been a part of an advanced leadership group, consisting of church consultants, pastors, and church leaders from all around the world. I’ve learned that the differences between growing churches and stagnant or declining churches is that in growing congregations, the pastor, staff, leaders, and volunteers are constantly learning and members and guests are practicing these five particular practices in exemplary fashion. Some of these practices come more naturally than others and I hope we can approach this time with open minds and hearts.

Please be in prayer about this initiative and more details will follow in the coming weeks.