Three Ministry Strategies as defined by the Vital Congregations - Vital Signs initiative North Georgia Conference United Methodist Church Three Ministry Strategies as defined by the Vital Congregations - Vital Signs initiative North Georgia Conference United Methodist Church Team BeaTwos 2014 LUMC

Vital churches have more programs for youth. Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith (regular worship, intentional spiritual growth, personal devotional life, and giving of financial resources). Vital pastors inspire the congregation through preaching. Three (of the sixteen) Key Strategies

Vital Congregations have more programs for youth Key Ministry Strategy #3 Don't let anyone put you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith and your pure life. ~1 Timothy 4:12

Vital Congregations understand youth audiences. Youth are looking for community – like “Cheers” – “a place where everybody knows your name & they’re awfully glad you came.”

Vital congregations re-load their youth program through vibrant children’s programs. Let the children come unto me and do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14

Vital congregations provide a “Place” for youth Welcoming & Safe Environment Offer a “Come” ministry Providing a positive experience – Getting them in the door – Learning their name – Show that they value the youth

Vital congregations invite youth to be a part Vital congregations don’t treat youth involvement like Mickey Mouse ears where youth involvement barely touches the life of the church. Vital congregations involve youth as church council members, worship leaders, long range planners and MORE……. The problem isn’t participation, it’s preparation. We have to prepare our youth to be the leaders of the church.

Vital congregations are part of their youth’s world Their activities Their style Communication Pathways

Vital congregations have their youth participate in camping & retreat ministries 94% of Christians accepted Christ as their personal savior before they turned 18 96% of those did so at Church Camp or on a Church Retreat.

Vital congregations have active lay leadership Each adult volunteer brings in six youth

Vital congregations take the vow they make at a child’s baptism seriously “With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ that this child, surrounded by steadfast love will be established in the faith and confirmed and strengthen in the way that leads to life eternal.”

Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith (regular worship, intentional spiritual growth, personal devotional life, and giving of financial resources). Key Ministry Strategy #5

Why are lay leaders vital? They assist in building up the body of Christ by serving in various roles. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ~ Ephesians 11 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ~Proverbs 27:17

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.~ Matthew 5: They assist in building up the body of Christ by demonstrating their vital personal faith Why are lay leaders vital?

For many lay leaders, their intentional spiritual life results in their becoming teachers within the church. Why are lay leaders vital?

What do lay leaders do that makes them vital? As youth leaders, children's Sunday school teachers, chaperones, confimand guides, etc. they serve as role models and assist clergy, introducing the gospel of Jesus Christ to our children and youth.

94% of Christians accepted Christ as their personal savior before they turned 18. What do lay leaders do that makes them vital?

As adult Sunday School teachers they guide the congregation in the development of a vital personal faith, which strengthens the congregation building a vital church. What do lay leaders do that makes them vital?

Outside the church they witness to the transformative power of Christ to people that they come in contact with.They are evangelists. Their light attracts and draws others into the church growing the church. What do lay leaders do that makes them vital?

As committee members, volunteer workers and staff they are active participants and vital to the governance and daily operations of the church.

They give of their financial resources regularly and sacrificially, employing clergy and staff, funding ministries, keeping the lights on and the doors open to church facilities. What do lay leaders do that makes them vital?

Lay leaders are disciples of Christ and "teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ". As they demonstrate their vital personal faith, they inspire and teach others. They "let their light shine for others". They are role models, living examples of discipleship. They create real change in a church as others follow their lead. They build up the church, the body of Christ.

Vital pastors inspire the congregation through preaching Key Ministry Strategy #11

Vital Pastors inspire the congregation through preaching Through the Stories of the Bible, “Our Christian Heritage”. The Birth & Flight of Moses, The Ten Commandments, The Birth of Jesus, The Baptism of Jesus, and The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Through our Methodist Traditions: (and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful man, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2). The core values of the United Methodist tradition are described in “The Character of a Methodist” by John Wesley. Vital Pastors inspire the congregation through preaching

1. Rejoicing over the goodness of God. 2. Belief in the power of prayer. 3. Belief in purity of heart and holiness. 4. Keeping the commandments of God. 5. Glorifying God in all that is done. 6. Doing good, for the body and soul. 7. Belief in the unity of the church. Vital Pastors inspire the congregation through preaching

To Preach the word of God you must study, even with all of your background thru much education degrees you must bring the Congregation the divine truth of his word, As Paul stated to his son in Christ Timothy, (11 Timothy 2:15) Study to show thyself approved unto God. the word of God Vital Pastors inspire the congregation through preaching

To motivate as by divine influence. First He / She must be dependent upon the Lord, even though you may have extremely natural strength and abilities it is a must to have dependence on Him. (John 15:5) Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing". Vital Pastors inspire the congregation through preaching the word of God

Vital Pastors spiritual growth strengthens their expression of the spoken Word You can’t preach what you don’t live Every Pastor needs a pastor for their own spiritual growth A preacher’s spiritual discipline is seen in the example lived, as well as heard

A vital pastor inspires the congregation through preaching by building relationships with his/her congregation.

Building relationships through preaching the Word = A Vital Congregation Through building relationships you understand the congregation to whom you preach. Building trust helps the congregation gain respect for the preacher giving them the authority to lead the church through preaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 –And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

Finding the way to be inspired by him/herself through personnel spiritual growth in order to deliver the word of God to the congregation when preaching.

What inspire those who inspire? Seeing God at work in people’s lives Being faithful to studying God’s Word Practicing John Wesley’s Means of Grace

Vital churches have more programs for youth. Vital churches have lay leaders who demonstrate a vital personal faith (regular worship, intentional spiritual growth, personal devotional life, and giving of financial resources) Vital pastors inspire the congregation through preaching. Summary When do we start? NOW How do we start? IT STARTS WITH ME

Collen Dalrymple - FUMC Millegville Robert Givens - Saint Mark UMC Lee Highsmith - Gainesville FUMC Billy Johnson - Prospect UMC Pellum Peters - Ben Hill UMC Chris Strehlke - Canton FUMC Anderson Wright - Rust Chapel UMC Team BeaTwos Leadership UMC 2014