2014 LUMC Presentation 2014 LUMC Presentation
Description: 2014 LUMC Presentation 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction We have been studying these last month the new direction of the United Methodist Church to redirect the resources of the church toward creating more vital congregations. The
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slide1. 2014 LUMC Presentation<br>
slide2. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction
We have been studying these last month the new direction of the United Methodist Church to redirect the resources of the church toward creating more vital congregations. The literature on the subject is vast, and makes for interesting reading. The statistics in the Towers Watson report and the Vital Congregations database are enticing. However, as we seek to grow God’s kingdom, we must be mindful of what powers this vitality.
Before we look at some of the Key Drivers of Vitality, we’ll examine what enlivens our efforts to grow vital congregations. We’ll look at the conflict that rises in our minds between intentionality and accountability, and the answer in Scripture for balancing the two.
In previous years, the UMC has focused its efforts on intentionality. As I understand it, this approach to vitality was best summed up by Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians in chapter 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” The church focused on catchphrases like “walking by faith,” “Open hearts, open minds, open doors,” and teaching the word intentionality. This focus on intentionality, or faith, left us with membership numbers continuing to decline and struggling churches.<br>
slide3. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction continued
The Call to Action Steering Team and the Towers Watson reports helped us develop a new focus on accountability. The current literature teaches us to measure numbers and build accountability for clergy and leadership to help grow those numbers. This approach is best summed up by James’ admonition in chapter 2:14-17 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[b] is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
The tension between these two factors: faith and works, is present throughout the New Testament. It is inherent in our nature to desire either accountability or intentionality, Faith Or Works. In examining the results of polls in the GBOD workshops for Developing Your Ministry Plan, this tension is once again swinging the church away from teaching faith toward a focus only on works.<br>
slide4. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction Continued
Scripture teaches that there is another way. Wesley summed up the Scriptural answer to human forces that are in seeming conflict with the idea expressed today as not “either or” but “both and.” We must have both faith and works if we are to succeed in growing vital congregations. Christ promised us that if we seek the Holy Spirit, He will show us how to balance the two.
Today we will explore the need for a variety of small groups, we will investigate the need for deep personal faith in our lay leaders, and we will discover the need for diversity in our styles of worship. As we examine these areas, the other key drivers and vital congregation statistics, let us seek the balance of God in our work.<br>
slide5. Vital churches have more small groups for all ages
Why have small groups?
The very nature of Methodism calls us to have small groups within our churches. The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church – 2012 states:
P 255-256 “The ministries of the local church are offered so that people encounter God’s redeeming love for the world and respond by participating in God’s action in the world. To achieve this people need to be involved in a variety of small-group settings.”
The Wesleyan movement began as a small group, grew through small groups, and exploded across the globe one small group at a time. The founder of the Methodist Church/Wesleyan movement, John Wesley believed that living a holy life required that believers share their lives in intimate fellowship on a regular basis and that these small groups should provide support, encouragement, and spiritual maturation as Methodists strived to live holy lives. Mr. Wesley also advocated another type of small group, Bands. Bands were a voluntary group of people that were in groupings by gender, age, and marital status. These groups professed a clear Christian faith and a desire to grow in love, holiness and purity of intention. He felt that there is “no holiness without social holiness.”<br>
slide6. A congregation is a collection of groups…these and many more possibilities!
Of these small groups some may be formed by the church council, some are historical and relate to the ministries of the church, and some are started by members. Each vital church should have a variety of small groups that support the formation of Christian disciples and keep the core of the group focused on God. In doing this they may concentrate on:
teaching and learning,
fellowship
support
community ministries
accountability<br>
slide7. Key Drivers of Vitality<br>
slide8. Vital Churches have more small groups for all ages<br>
slide9. The nature of Methodism calls us to have small
groups within our churches. Why Small Groups?<br>
slide10. “The ministries of the local church are offered so that
people encounter God’s redeeming love for the world
and respond by participating in God’s action in the world.
To achieve this people need to be involved in a
variety of small-group settings.”
Book of Discipline 2012 ¶ 255-256 Why Small Groups?<br>
slide11. People find a sense of roots, place and belonging in significant relational groups. Small Groups Must:
Support the formation of Christian disciples.
Small groups must have structure and organization. This can be done around many commonalities.
Age groups (20-somethings, 30-somethings)
Family background (single, married, divorced),
With/without children
Location of home
Hobbies and interests
Spiritual Gifts
Each group must have solid leadership.
Recognize, develop and train potential leaders for success.<br>
slide12. Christian formation requires: Teaching
Learning
Fellowship
Support
Community ministries
Accountability
Spiritual growth
Empowering lay ministry<br>
slide13. A congregation is a collection of groups
Church committees UMW UMM Chancel choir
Men’s Prayer Group Ladies’ Prayer Group
Accountability Groups Young Adult groups
Senior Groups Pioneer Club
Children’s choir Youth band
Praise band Youth choir
Bible Study groups Sunday School
Run/walk groups Drama/puppet ministry
Teachers Joyseekers (visit homebound) Craft groups
Workout groups Softball teams Basketball teams VBS<br>
slide14. We don’t do faith alone Active, Christ-focused small groups:
Help the individual grow in holiness of heart and life
Increase the vitality of the church body
Nurture and equip church leadership and laity for ministry<br>
slide15. People win people to Christ; programs do not 10% of visitors will become new members of a church.
Engaging people in small groups provides relationships with God and people.
50% of visitors who connect with a small group will become new members.<br>
slide16. Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith Vital churches have spiritually engaged lay leaders who understand that God desires a personal relationship with each of us. Lay leaders that understand this demonstrate personal practices of deliberate faith disciplines. We participate in disciplines that help us grow in faith outside of our normal weekly worship service. We understand that growing spiritually does not just come from hearing the message in the weekly worship service, but there must be other opportunities for spiritual growth. These disciplines include regular prayer, Bible studies, Sunday school classes, attending worship regularly, proportional giving, and sharing our faith with others among others. These disciplines allow us to grow our relationships with God and each other.<br>
slide17. Family
School
Church
Work
Community
Ministry Areas of Leadership Faith<br>
slide18. Demonstrations of Faith First impressions
Volunteer in the community
Lead by example Eighty seven percent (87%) of people between the ages of 16 and 29 who do not attend church say they view the church as hypocritical. They have formed this opinion from watching Christians interact in the world.<br>
slide19. Evaluations of Faith Attitudes
Actions Vital congregation lay leaders display continuous personal growth,
help develop disciples, attend and/or lead bible studies, are members of church council, and are workers of the church.
The fruits of the Spirit are evident in laity who demonstrates a vital and faithful relationship with Jesus Christ. The fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:21-23).<br>
slide20. Ways of Increasing Faith Worship attendance
Bible Study
Mission Experience
Discussing faith & testimony with other believers
Time in prayer<br>
slide21. Six Elements for Spiritual Growth Salvation – develop a relationship with Christ and accept him as your personal savior.
Scripture – Transformation through reading and studying the Bible.
Sharing – with the Lord, a Christian friend, and unbelievers.
Suffering – one of the tools God uses to mature us (James 1:2-4).
Service – an essential part of spiritual growth is engaging in the good works God has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Serious & focused prayer – to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit.<br>
slide22. How we grow The Wesleyan tradition states that we must organize and invite laity to be engaged in the Wesleyan Means of Grace
Both
Works of Piety and Works of Mercy<br>
slide23. Works of Piety Prayer
Fasting
Reading
Meditating and studying Scripture
Regularly attending worship
Healthy living
Regularly receiving sacraments
Christian conferencing (accountability)
Bible study<br>
slide24. Works of Mercy Doing good works
Visiting the sick
Visiting the imprisoned
Sharing faith
Feeding the hungry
Giving generously to those in need
Seeking justice
Ending oppression & discrimination
Serving with the poor<br>
slide25. Vital Churches offer a mix of contemporary and traditional services There is a wide variety of worship styles offered in today’s churches. Churches that provide a mix of both traditional and more contemporary styles of service appeal to a larger range of worshippers and show a higher level of vitality.<br>
slide26. Worshiping with Purpose Wesley considered worship one of the Means of Grace essential to Christian development and spiritual growth.
How we worship isn’t as important as why we worship.<br>
slide27. Why we worship Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Learn application of Biblical truth to our present life
Offer ourselves to God
Prayers of intercession
Unify us with one another and God<br>
slide28. Style Matters Growth in overall attendance
Engagement of the congregation
Spiritual growth of the congregation
Attract new members
Foster movement of the Spirit<br>
slide29. Traditional Style Service Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Unify us with one another and God Order of Worship provides a guide
Call to worship
Hymn
Invocation
Old Testament reading
Lord’s Prayer & Apostle's Creed
New Testament reading
Sermon
Hymn<br>
slide30. Contemporary Style Service Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Learn application of Biblical truth to our present life
Offer ourselves to God
Unify us with one another and God Topical sermons address current needs and issues in the life of the congregation
Series sermons allow for ongoing engagement over several weeks
Typically incorporate a call to action<br>
slide31. Contemporary Style Service, continued Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Offer ourselves to God
Unify us with one another and God Modern worship music draws people into praise, thanksgiving and repentance with relatable lyrics and easy to remember music
Multi-media engages the visual and audio learning processes allowing better retention and engagement<br>
slide32. Which One, Traditional or Contemporary? Know the congregation’s needs
Focus on the style that best helps the congregation and community worship with purpose
Know our limitations
Find ways to make changes easy for clergy and worship leaders New meets old<br>
slide2. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction
We have been studying these last month the new direction of the United Methodist Church to redirect the resources of the church toward creating more vital congregations. The literature on the subject is vast, and makes for interesting reading. The statistics in the Towers Watson report and the Vital Congregations database are enticing. However, as we seek to grow God’s kingdom, we must be mindful of what powers this vitality.
Before we look at some of the Key Drivers of Vitality, we’ll examine what enlivens our efforts to grow vital congregations. We’ll look at the conflict that rises in our minds between intentionality and accountability, and the answer in Scripture for balancing the two.
In previous years, the UMC has focused its efforts on intentionality. As I understand it, this approach to vitality was best summed up by Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians in chapter 2:8-9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” The church focused on catchphrases like “walking by faith,” “Open hearts, open minds, open doors,” and teaching the word intentionality. This focus on intentionality, or faith, left us with membership numbers continuing to decline and struggling churches.<br>
slide3. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction continued
The Call to Action Steering Team and the Towers Watson reports helped us develop a new focus on accountability. The current literature teaches us to measure numbers and build accountability for clergy and leadership to help grow those numbers. This approach is best summed up by James’ admonition in chapter 2:14-17 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[b] is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
The tension between these two factors: faith and works, is present throughout the New Testament. It is inherent in our nature to desire either accountability or intentionality, Faith Or Works. In examining the results of polls in the GBOD workshops for Developing Your Ministry Plan, this tension is once again swinging the church away from teaching faith toward a focus only on works.<br>
slide4. 2014 LUMC Presentation Introduction Continued
Scripture teaches that there is another way. Wesley summed up the Scriptural answer to human forces that are in seeming conflict with the idea expressed today as not “either or” but “both and.” We must have both faith and works if we are to succeed in growing vital congregations. Christ promised us that if we seek the Holy Spirit, He will show us how to balance the two.
Today we will explore the need for a variety of small groups, we will investigate the need for deep personal faith in our lay leaders, and we will discover the need for diversity in our styles of worship. As we examine these areas, the other key drivers and vital congregation statistics, let us seek the balance of God in our work.<br>
slide5. Vital churches have more small groups for all ages
Why have small groups?
The very nature of Methodism calls us to have small groups within our churches. The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church – 2012 states:
P 255-256 “The ministries of the local church are offered so that people encounter God’s redeeming love for the world and respond by participating in God’s action in the world. To achieve this people need to be involved in a variety of small-group settings.”
The Wesleyan movement began as a small group, grew through small groups, and exploded across the globe one small group at a time. The founder of the Methodist Church/Wesleyan movement, John Wesley believed that living a holy life required that believers share their lives in intimate fellowship on a regular basis and that these small groups should provide support, encouragement, and spiritual maturation as Methodists strived to live holy lives. Mr. Wesley also advocated another type of small group, Bands. Bands were a voluntary group of people that were in groupings by gender, age, and marital status. These groups professed a clear Christian faith and a desire to grow in love, holiness and purity of intention. He felt that there is “no holiness without social holiness.”<br>
slide6. A congregation is a collection of groups…these and many more possibilities!
Of these small groups some may be formed by the church council, some are historical and relate to the ministries of the church, and some are started by members. Each vital church should have a variety of small groups that support the formation of Christian disciples and keep the core of the group focused on God. In doing this they may concentrate on:
teaching and learning,
fellowship
support
community ministries
accountability<br>
slide7. Key Drivers of Vitality<br>
slide8. Vital Churches have more small groups for all ages<br>
slide9. The nature of Methodism calls us to have small
groups within our churches. Why Small Groups?<br>
slide10. “The ministries of the local church are offered so that
people encounter God’s redeeming love for the world
and respond by participating in God’s action in the world.
To achieve this people need to be involved in a
variety of small-group settings.”
Book of Discipline 2012 ¶ 255-256 Why Small Groups?<br>
slide11. People find a sense of roots, place and belonging in significant relational groups. Small Groups Must:
Support the formation of Christian disciples.
Small groups must have structure and organization. This can be done around many commonalities.
Age groups (20-somethings, 30-somethings)
Family background (single, married, divorced),
With/without children
Location of home
Hobbies and interests
Spiritual Gifts
Each group must have solid leadership.
Recognize, develop and train potential leaders for success.<br>
slide12. Christian formation requires: Teaching
Learning
Fellowship
Support
Community ministries
Accountability
Spiritual growth
Empowering lay ministry<br>
slide13. A congregation is a collection of groups
Church committees UMW UMM Chancel choir
Men’s Prayer Group Ladies’ Prayer Group
Accountability Groups Young Adult groups
Senior Groups Pioneer Club
Children’s choir Youth band
Praise band Youth choir
Bible Study groups Sunday School
Run/walk groups Drama/puppet ministry
Teachers Joyseekers (visit homebound) Craft groups
Workout groups Softball teams Basketball teams VBS<br>
slide14. We don’t do faith alone Active, Christ-focused small groups:
Help the individual grow in holiness of heart and life
Increase the vitality of the church body
Nurture and equip church leadership and laity for ministry<br>
slide15. People win people to Christ; programs do not 10% of visitors will become new members of a church.
Engaging people in small groups provides relationships with God and people.
50% of visitors who connect with a small group will become new members.<br>
slide16. Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith Vital churches have spiritually engaged lay leaders who understand that God desires a personal relationship with each of us. Lay leaders that understand this demonstrate personal practices of deliberate faith disciplines. We participate in disciplines that help us grow in faith outside of our normal weekly worship service. We understand that growing spiritually does not just come from hearing the message in the weekly worship service, but there must be other opportunities for spiritual growth. These disciplines include regular prayer, Bible studies, Sunday school classes, attending worship regularly, proportional giving, and sharing our faith with others among others. These disciplines allow us to grow our relationships with God and each other.<br>
slide17. Family
School
Church
Work
Community
Ministry Areas of Leadership Faith<br>
slide18. Demonstrations of Faith First impressions
Volunteer in the community
Lead by example Eighty seven percent (87%) of people between the ages of 16 and 29 who do not attend church say they view the church as hypocritical. They have formed this opinion from watching Christians interact in the world.<br>
slide19. Evaluations of Faith Attitudes
Actions Vital congregation lay leaders display continuous personal growth,
help develop disciples, attend and/or lead bible studies, are members of church council, and are workers of the church.
The fruits of the Spirit are evident in laity who demonstrates a vital and faithful relationship with Jesus Christ. The fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:21-23).<br>
slide20. Ways of Increasing Faith Worship attendance
Bible Study
Mission Experience
Discussing faith & testimony with other believers
Time in prayer<br>
slide21. Six Elements for Spiritual Growth Salvation – develop a relationship with Christ and accept him as your personal savior.
Scripture – Transformation through reading and studying the Bible.
Sharing – with the Lord, a Christian friend, and unbelievers.
Suffering – one of the tools God uses to mature us (James 1:2-4).
Service – an essential part of spiritual growth is engaging in the good works God has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Serious & focused prayer – to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit.<br>
slide22. How we grow The Wesleyan tradition states that we must organize and invite laity to be engaged in the Wesleyan Means of Grace
Both
Works of Piety and Works of Mercy<br>
slide23. Works of Piety Prayer
Fasting
Reading
Meditating and studying Scripture
Regularly attending worship
Healthy living
Regularly receiving sacraments
Christian conferencing (accountability)
Bible study<br>
slide24. Works of Mercy Doing good works
Visiting the sick
Visiting the imprisoned
Sharing faith
Feeding the hungry
Giving generously to those in need
Seeking justice
Ending oppression & discrimination
Serving with the poor<br>
slide25. Vital Churches offer a mix of contemporary and traditional services There is a wide variety of worship styles offered in today’s churches. Churches that provide a mix of both traditional and more contemporary styles of service appeal to a larger range of worshippers and show a higher level of vitality.<br>
slide26. Worshiping with Purpose Wesley considered worship one of the Means of Grace essential to Christian development and spiritual growth.
How we worship isn’t as important as why we worship.<br>
slide27. Why we worship Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Learn application of Biblical truth to our present life
Offer ourselves to God
Prayers of intercession
Unify us with one another and God<br>
slide28. Style Matters Growth in overall attendance
Engagement of the congregation
Spiritual growth of the congregation
Attract new members
Foster movement of the Spirit<br>
slide29. Traditional Style Service Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Unify us with one another and God Order of Worship provides a guide
Call to worship
Hymn
Invocation
Old Testament reading
Lord’s Prayer & Apostle's Creed
New Testament reading
Sermon
Hymn<br>
slide30. Contemporary Style Service Testify to the Gospel of Christ
Learn application of Biblical truth to our present life
Offer ourselves to God
Unify us with one another and God Topical sermons address current needs and issues in the life of the congregation
Series sermons allow for ongoing engagement over several weeks
Typically incorporate a call to action<br>
slide31. Contemporary Style Service, continued Praise God
Thank God
Confess our sins
Offer ourselves to God
Unify us with one another and God Modern worship music draws people into praise, thanksgiving and repentance with relatable lyrics and easy to remember music
Multi-media engages the visual and audio learning processes allowing better retention and engagement<br>
slide32. Which One, Traditional or Contemporary? Know the congregation’s needs
Focus on the style that best helps the congregation and community worship with purpose
Know our limitations
Find ways to make changes easy for clergy and worship leaders New meets old<br>