C ONGREGATIONAL V ITALITY AND D ISCIPLESHIP M INISTRIES Purpose, Focus and Partners

CVD P URPOSE The CVD purpose statement is based on the UCC Big Inspirational Goals (BIGs) especially #2 & #3 The first part of the purpose is to increase the number as well as the vitality of congregations that are welcoming and accessible to all The second part of the purpose is to increase UCC congregations that engage/equip members and spiritual seekers to grow in discipleship This purpose reflects well the shift from MESA of Lay Empowerment and Leadership Development that is now part of CVD ministry Its all about nurturing missional discipleship, not only church membership The purpose includes attention to spiritual seekers, the growing population in our culture To increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship.

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Create a Culture of Research and Assessment In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will:

F IRST F OCUS FOR OUR W ORK Information and data are resources and tools. Our work begins by first doing the data collection and research that informs congregational vitality and missional discipleship Work with Researcher, Research Office and Faith Communities Today (FACT) and MissionInsite to develop yearly reports for congregations on vitality, missional outreach and discipleship formation Create assessment program for congregations in partnership with conferences All congregations seeking funding and assistance go through assessment Create a Culture of Research and Assessment

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Create a Culture of Research and Assessment In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will: Vital Statistics and Research Reports on Church Growth Assessment Program For Congregations

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will:

S ECOND F OCUS FOR OUR W ORK We connect with those places and people where thefire is hot, where the fruits are present We turn web resources like Worship Ways and Sermon Seeds into interactive networks We attend to constituency building of youth and youth workers, women, young adults, new church planters, missional congregational leaders, IM churches, Disabilities Ministries Network and more We engage with PIC and others in creating an onlineChurch of the Wider Fellowship reaching spiritual seekers outside of our congregations, but looking for a welcoming spiritual home Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will: Ecumenical Partners Church of the Wider Fellowship Interactive Networks with Constituencies

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Create a Culture of Research and Assessment In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will: Vital Statistics and Annual Reports on Church Growth Assessment Program For Congregations Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners Ecumenical Partners Interactive Networks with Constituencies Church of the Wider Fellowship

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Uplift Best Practices, Centers of Excellence and Emerging Ideas from Practitioners In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will:

T HIRD F OCUS FOR OUR W ORK Through research, data collection, assessment and networking our deliverable outcomes are best practices, emerging ideas and centers of excellence by practitioners Congregational Vitality Newsletter becomes an online, weekly best practice resource Centers of Excellence and all programs create ongoing resources Best Practices for how to use introduce all websites/resources; Stewardship Annual Theme, STC, Worship Ways, Weekly Seeds, and more In-Source Church Development thru Center for Progressive Renewal Uplift Best Practices, Centers of Excellence and Emerging Ideas from Practitioners

CVD F OCUS FOR OUR WORK Uplift Best Practices, Centers of Excellence and Emerging Ideas from Practitioners In Order to increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship, we will: Center for Progressive Renewal Best Practices, Emerging Ideas, Websites, Resources, Newsletter Centers of Excellence, Events and Programs create Ongoing Resources

CVDs Relationship with Center for Progressive Renewal CVDCPR CVDs Purpose: To increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship. CPRs Purpose: To renew Progressive Christianity by training new entrepreneurial leaders, supporting the birth of new liberal/progressive congregations, and by renewing and strengthening existing progressive churches New Church Planter and Renewing Pastor Assessment Coaching & Training Webinars & Courses Church Consultants NewTimes Magazine Work with Conference Partners Funding for CPR Advertising for CPR Scholarships for Events and Courses

CVD Purpose and Focus – Bigs Picture Create a Culture of Research and Assessment Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners Uplift Best Practices, Centers of Excellence and Emerging Ideas from Practitioners To increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship.

CVD Purpose and Focus – BIGs Picture Create a Culture of Research and Assessment Nurture Networks and Interactive Connections with Constituencies and Partners Uplift Best Practices, Centers of Excellence and Emerging Ideas from Practitioners Vital Statistics and Research Reports on Church Growth Assessment Program For Congregations Church of the Wider Fellowship Interactive Networks with Constituencies Ecumenical Partners Center for Progressive Renewal Centers of Excellence create Ongoing Resources Best Practices, Emerging Ideas Resources To increase welcoming, accessible and vital UCC Congregations which engage/equip members as well as spiritual seekers to grow in faith and missional discipleship.