The UMC Vital Congregations Project A collaborative project of The United Methodist Church

VITAL CONGREGATIONS THE GOAL: o To fulfill the Mission of The United Methodist Church by equipping and empowering congregations to become vital and healthy congregations in their communities and in our world. o Matthew 28:18-20 o Matthew 22:36-40 o Romans 12 – “The Body of Christ”

Call to Action Report The Critical Adaptive Challenge: To redirect the flow of attention, energy, and resources to an intense concentration on fostering and sustaining an increase in the number of vital congregations effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. (p. 14)

Four Key Observations Our denomination is in need of more “turn-around” leaders. Our denomination has an adverse reaction and fear of metrics as a means of accountability. There is a serious lack of trust across the denomination. Our denomination has not been effective in reaching marginally churched and non-churched people.

Setting Goals to Becoming Vital! The Call to Action Research indicated that there was a lack of measures and accountability within The United Methodist Church. o “The primary elements that drive structure and process effectiveness are: clarity of responsibility (goal and role clarity), authority to carry out responsibility and accountability for results.” (CTA Report p. 167) o “the lack of a Church-wide strategic plan or Church-wide strategic plans focused on the Church’s mission objectives are a symptom of the structures and cultural behaviors that “get in the way.” (CTA Report p. 174)

A Vital Congregation IS: GROWING (Over the past 5 years have shown statistical data of growth in Average Worship Attendance and Professions of Faith.) ENGAGING PEOPLE (Over the past 5 years have shown congregational engagement in multiple ministries including small groups, mission and outreach.) GENEROUS (Over the past 5 years have shown increases in stewardship and giving within and beyond the local church.) Data from Call to Action research collected in 2010 by Towers Watson, Inc.

A Vital Congregation HAS: Inviting and inspiring worship Engaged disciples in mission and outreach Gifted, equipped and empowered lay leadership Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership Small groups that include children and youth designed to encourage, support and hold disciples accountable in their Christian walk. Data from Call to Action research collected in 2010 by Towers Watson, Inc.

Metrics Research Study Found: 16 Ministries/Strategies that were common among the 16% of churches noted as having indicators of vitality (growth- engagement-generosity) 4 Primary areas of effectiveness: o Engagement of disciples in small groups (which include children and youth ministries) o High % of congregation who serves as lay leaders who are effective, demonstrate personal faith, and rotate leadership. o Lead pastors who focus on developing, coaching and mentoring lay leaders, are influential, goal-setters that inspire the congregation through preaching and have a longer tenure in that congregation. o Worship that is contextual, mixed and relevant.

The Metrics Set Goals based upon 5 measurable indicators of vitality: o Disciples in Worship (Average Worship Attendance) o Disciples making new Disciples (Professions of Faith) o Disciples growing in their faith (Number of Small Groups = Groups that meet together regularly in order to support, encourage and hold one another accountable in their relationship with Christ.) o Disciples engaged in mission (Number of Disciples doing outreach in the community and in the world.) o Disciples sharing their resources for mission (Amount of financial resources given to mission – including World Service, etc.)

Strategic Planning for vitality! “Although structural change may be prerequisite to broader strategic planning, best practices at the Agency, Annual Conference and Local Church levels could at least be shared and disseminated.” (CTA Report p. 174) The Vital Congregations Project is designed to EQUIP Annual Conference Leadership (Directors of Connectional Ministries, Conference Staff and Cabinets) The Vital Congregations Project is designed to EQUIP clergy and lay leadership in local congregations!

The Strategic Plan Assess baseline health of every congregation. (Church Health History – Community History and Needs – Stories or circumstances that have affected the congregations health.) Current health assessment. (How is the church today? Clergy Leadership – Lay Leadership - # of Small Groups – Average Worship Attendance-Mission Participation-Missional Giving) Set GOALS for the future health and vitality of each individual congregation. Goals collected and reported by Annual Conferences. Goals collected and reported at General Conference 2012!

Vital Congregations are everywhere!

UMCvitalcongregations.org Website resource designed to equip and empower leaders as they foster, sustain and nurture vital congregations in our denomination. SIMPLE USER-FRIENDLY EASILY ACCESSIBLE

CHURCH HEALTH HISTORY Each congregation has a history – a past that has affected where they are at today. This webpage uses GBGM church profiles research to help a congregation see it’s historical report. Questions to consider when looking at historical reports: o Pastoral Leadership – Was there a change in the lead pastor? How long did the lead pastor stay? o What significant events in the church may have affected the worship attendance? o What significant events in the community may have affected the data of the congregation?

CURRENT HEALTH ASSESSMENT Current church health is important to assess in order to set feasible and attainable goals. Multiple Methods of Church Health Assessment. Congregational Ministry Plan is available online for the use of any congregation. Link to DCM and staff info for each Annual Conference. Link to any other Congregational Development staff for each Annual Conference.

GOAL-SETTING Set Goals based upon the 5 measurable indicators of vitality: o Disciples in Worship (Average Worship Attendance) o Disciples making new Disciples (Professions of Faith) o Disciples growing in their faith (Number of Small Groups = Groups that meet together regularly in order to support, encourage and hold one another accountable in their relationship with Christ.) o Disciples engaged in mission (Number of Disciples doing outreach in the community and in the world.) o Disciples sharing their resources for mission (Amount of financial resources given to mission – including World Service, etc.)

VitalSignsUMC.org DASHBOARD – Allows congregations to track progress towards their goals for health and vitality. o Congregations receive a weekly to record their metrics. o Weekly recording of data that will be directly linked to GCFA. o Everyone in the connection can view data. o There will be a place for congregations to share weekly success stories via the website. o Leaders can celebrate milestones for the congregation regularly!

PROPOSED TIMELINE July 1 st – Vital Signs Dashboard will be ready to be released to the pilot congregations and conferences. (GCFA) July 15 th – UMCVitalCongregations.org Website will be ready to launch for Conference and Congregational use. August-December – Before charge conferences, congregations will be invited to evaluate and assess current church health situation (via website, general church resources and conference resources, etc.) By Charge Conference – Each congregation will be invited to set goals based on the metrics for the quaddrennium, as a GIFT to God for the work of the church.

Role of the Dir. Of Connectional Ministries Communicate the invitation to set goals to all congregations throughout your conference. Equip conference staff or local church staff to help congregations do health assessments as needed. Help congregations understand their health assessments and invite them to set goals based upon their contextual health. Provide, offer or point to resources that will help them reach their goals based upon these measurements. (Via UMCVitalCongregations.org website or other conference/general church resources.)

Role of District Superintendents Help DCM and Conference Staff identify churches that could use a personal invitation to participate. Also communicate the invitation to churches throughout the conference. See the health assessment report and be in prayer for congregations. Help hold the leadership of the congregation accountable to their goals.

D.S.’s can help clergy leadership by: Encouraging clergy through prayer and discernment, when goals may seem challenging. Praise and celebrate every little achievement that moves a congregation closer to their goal. (via website stories, etc.) Tell the stories of good ministry throughout the denomination.

Vital Congregations Project Team’s Role Provide training and support for DCM’s/Conf. Staff and District Superintendents Provide VitalSignsUMC.org dashboard for weekly data recording. Provide online resources and training for the congregational health assessment. Provide the program for goal-setting and tracking via the website. Provide a venue for story-collecting via the website.

Vital Congregations Project Team’s Role Offer opportunities to CELEBRATE the successes of congregations meeting goals VIA Annual Conference, General Conference and throughout the world!!!

YOU ARE THE NUMBER 1 RESOURCE!!! Church vitality can not happen without YOU! o Acts 2 – The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. o 1 Corinthians 12 – The healthy church is one body and it is the body of Christ. o Ephesians 4:10-13 – Christ has gifted the church through a variety of gifts. o Galatians 3:28 – All are welcome in the body of Christ. o Luke 10:25-37 – We are called to be like the Good Samaritan. o Micah 6:8 – Righteousness and justice are the expectation for God’s people. o Luke 4:17-21 – Jesus announces his ministry, which is a calling for the body of Christ TODAY!