Vital Congregations: Living into our Journey · Breathe out doubt; breathe in assurance Breathe out worry; breathe in peace of mind Breathe out hatred; breathe in love Breathe out

© 2016 General Board of Discipleship. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Vital Congregations:

Living into our

Journey


Micah 6:8 / New International Version

(NIV)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

Let’s Pray!


Thanks to Generous Givers This webinar is provided as a

service of the Discipleship Ministries

and is funded through generous

World Service apportionment giving

by local United Methodist

congregations.



The Presenters

Jason Klees Webinar Specialist

Jacqui King Leadership Ministries

Sara Thomas Discipleship

Ministries

Candace Lewis New Church

Starts / Path 1


What is God calling my

congregation to do?

What does

mission

and

ministry

look like in my

corner of the world?


Embrace Vitality Restore H.O.P.E.

Vitality:

Living Into The Journey

• Share our H.O.P.E. Discipleship Process – Vitality in Action.

• What is vitality in the church and community? Missional Focus.

• Resources / Prayers / Embrace Vitality – Living the H.O.P.E


Vital congregations offer H.O.P.E.

Hospitality

Offer Christ

Purpose

Engagement


Let’s walk through the

H.O.P.E. Disciple-Making Process

www.umcdiscipleship.org


Vitality makes

room to

connect

with living

out our

faith

journey!

• Seeking God to direct our path!

• Building relationships through

worship, mission, small groups

and leadership development.

• Expecting God to move.

GBOD Replace with your team name or subject here on master slide

© 2016 Discipleship Ministries. Permission is given for use in United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, and camp settings.

Wesleyan Meta-Patterns in Worship

What does vitality look like?

Erin M. Hawkins, General Secretary of GCORR, said an

“essential piece of congregational vitality is the

ability of a congregation to reflect the world around it.

That cannot be done without reaching more people, younger

people and more diverse people.”


Vital congregations are:

Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of

believers that welcome all people (Gal.3:28)

Places where disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20)

Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21)

www.umc.org/how-we-serve/vital-congregations


Vital congregations have:

Inviting and inspiring worship

Engaged disciples in mission and outreach

Gifted, empowered and equipped lay leadership

Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership

Small Group ministries

Strong children’s & youth ministries

www.umc.org/how-we-serve/vital-congregations




What is our mission?

The mission of The United Methodist Church is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 22:36-40).

This mission is achieved through vital congregations:

+ That equip and empower people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

+ That are sharing the Gospel in their homes, churches, and communities around the world.

+ By worshipping in relevant ways, embracing small groups, and ministering with children and youth.



Missional Focus

Four Areas of Focus

1. Engaging in Ministry with the Poor

2. Improving Global Health

3. Developing Principled Christian Leaders

4. Creating New and Renewed Congregations

The mission of The United Methodist

Church is to “Make Disciples of Jesus

Christ for the transformation of the

world” (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 22:36-40).

This mission is achieved through vital

congregations that equip and empower

people to be disciples of Jesus Christ in

their homes and communities around

the world. www.umc.org




When WE Wonder together…

Ask the question:

How are vital congregations connected with communities?

"A vital church knows what is happening at schools, libraries, at businesses, and with folks who live down the street”. The evidence of that is "what people pray about, what is printed in the bulletin or on the bulletin boards.”

Statement from: The Rev. Rachel Birkahn-Rommelfanger, senior pastor at Berry United Methodist Church in Chicago and a member of the denomination's Connectional Table, says engagement in the community through "mission, service and justice" is a clear indicator of health.



Missional Focus

Four Areas of Focus

1. Engaging in Ministry with the Poor

2. Improving Global Health

3. Developing Principled Christian Leaders

4. Creating New and Renewed Congregations

How is your

congregation

becoming

missional?



Missional Focus

1. Engaging in Ministry with the Poor / Move from “Ministry to”

to “Ministry With” http://www.ministrywith.org/index2.html

2. Improving Global Health / Connecting with Global Health

Movement – Revitalizes Small Church

3. Developing Principled Christian Leaders / Develop a Culture

of Call and create a path for young people

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/section-3-servant-

ministry-and-servant-leadership

4. Creating New and Renewed Congregations / Making a place

inviting to new people

http://www.ministrywith.org/index2.html

http://www.ministrywith.org/index2.html

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/section-3-servant-ministry-and-servant-leadership




















Missional Focus

“Turn the Conventional Model upside down”

quote by Mike Slaughter

The Passionate Church




What God-sightings have you

seen lately?

What is your ministry passion?




Vital Congregations

are seeking God’s heart !

What’s at the heart of your vital congregation?


Resources

&

Prayers /

Hopes

• Attend your Annual Conference sponsored events to learn

more about vitality in your ministry area.

• Ask God to reveal your passion. Face your fears by prayer-

walking your community and fasting about your next steps.

• Connect and invite new people into your space. Begin by

taking steps to restore trust while building community.



Resources & Tools

Books

Websites & Articles

• New Church Starts: http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/new-church-starts/training

• Prayer of Leadership Changes for Pastors and Churches: http://mastersdust.com/2015/06/12/a-prayer-for-pastors-and-churches-in-transition/

• Lewis Leadership Resources on Vitality: http://www.churchleadership.com/pdfs/DSVitalityMatrix.pdf

• Discipleship Ministries / Special Worship Services http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/services-related-to-congregations-and-buildings

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/new-church-starts/training







http://mastersdust.com/2015/06/12/a-prayer-for-pastors-and-churches-in-transition/

















http://www.churchleadership.com/pdfs/DSVitalityMatrix.pdf



http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/services-related-to-congregations-and-buildings















Upcoming Events

Save-the-date: August 17 through 20, 2016

For More Info:

www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/school-of-congregational-development-2016

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/leadership-resources/school-of-congregational-development-2016












Your Season of Mission & Ministry

begins NOW!

Remember life involves change! Pray…



Questions?


Jacqui King, Director, Leadership for Congregational Vitality Discipleship Ministries [email protected]

Contact Info:

Candace Lewis, Associate General Secretary New Church Starts/Path 1 Discipleship Ministries [email protected]

Sara Thomas, Chief Strategist for Vital Congregations/Deputy General Secretary Discipleship Ministries [email protected]


Prayer Changes Things!

Breath Prayers

A helpful way to become centered and focused

Breathe out doubt; breathe in assurance

Breathe out worry; breathe in peace of mind

Breathe out hatred; breathe in love

Breathe out war; breathe in peace

Breathe out turmoil; breathe in harmony

Breathe out insecurity; breathe in God’s presence

Breathe out emptiness; breathe in fulfillment

Breathe out selfishness; breathe in generosity

Breathe out darkness; breathe in God’s everlasting

light

www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/breath-prayer-

personal-and-community-prayers

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/breath-prayer-personal-and-community-prayers












Thank You & Live

with Vitality & Joy!

Documents

Vital Congregations: Living into our Journey · Breathe out doubt; breathe in assurance Breathe out worry; breathe in peace of mind Breathe out hatred; breathe in love Breathe out