Transcript Slide 1

Three Ministry Strategies
as defined by the
Vital Congregations - Vital
Signs initiative
North Georgia Conference
United Methodist Church
Team BeaTwos
2014 LUMC
Three (of the sixteen) Key Strategies
3.
5.
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).
11.
Vital pastors inspire the congregation through
preaching.
Key Ministry Strategy #3
Vital Congregations have
more programs for youth
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
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.”
Key Ministry Strategy #5
Vital churches have lay leaders who
demonstrate a vital personal faith
(regular worship, intentional spiritual
growth, personal devotional life, and
giving of financial resources).
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
Why are lay leaders vital?
They assist in building up the body of Christ
by demonstrating their vital personal faith
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 5:1416
Why are lay leaders vital?
For many lay leaders, their intentional spiritual life
results in their becoming teachers within the church.
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.
What do lay leaders do that
makes them vital?
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.
What do lay leaders do that
makes them vital?
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
Lay leaders
are
disciples
of
Christ
and
makes
them
vital?
"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.
Key Ministry Strategy #11
Vital pastors inspire the
congregation through preaching
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.
Vital Pastors inspire the
congregation through preaching
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
the word of God
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.
Vital Pastors inspire the
congregation through preaching
the word of God
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 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
Summary
•
•
•
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.
When do we start?
NOW
How do we start?
IT STARTS WITH ME
Team BeaTwos
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
Leadership UMC 2014