Where do we go when storms hit?

This is not really about our project, its just been on my heart as 2008 exits the stage.

A few days ago some bad storms came through our area. One night there was a big clap of thunder and I heard little feet hit the floor, our door open, and we had my little girl in bed with us. A little later another big boom and more little feet, door opens, and one of my boys was in bed with us. It is a blessing that my God has transformed me into a Dad who is a safe refuge for his kids.

Most of us are not afraid of thunder, but 2008 has certainly had its share of storms for most of us. Lost loved ones, lost relationships, lost jobs, lost income, uncertain prospects for future employment... storms come in all flavors.

When I went to God and asked where we go, He brought one of my very favorite Psalms back to me:

Ps 31:1-5
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.

This Psalm has helped me get through some rough times.

I'll see you all on the 23rd. Be blessed.

Another tool for demographics on the ngumc site

Mission Insite is a new program that generates demographics reports for churches within minutes. It provides free information to help your church explore its ministry area and discover new mission opportunities.

Lillian

On the www.ngumc.org
Under RESOURCES select Demographics/Statistics:
There is a link to Link2Lead
You will see the following information...
For Demographics/Statistics:Link2Lead.com is a website for local church pastors and lay leaders like yourself. It is brought to you by Percept, the leading information provider to religious organizations since 1987...

This tool is free for all of our local church pastors and lay leaders. Through Link2Lead.com, you will find a hands-on tools to better understand the demographics in your area.Once you register, you will be able to login and find information ordered into sections:

1 Getting Started - Here's where you find out what this site is about, who's behind it and how to get your browser ready for action.

2 My Self - This section provides you an opportunity to find out more about yourself and how you deal with change.

3 My Community - Just how well do you know your community? Here's a section that allows you to explore the latest demographic information for your ministry area.

4 My Congregation - Ever wonder how your congregation compares with the larger community you serve? Here's a section with tools to explore that critical connection further.

5 My World - This section features a Story of the Week, alternating between QuickInsight: The One-Minute U.S. Trends Report, and QuikStory: Using Demographics in Ministry, a feature article about the ministry of a Link2Lead church.

MY Experience with the site:

I set up an account and was able to obtain some basic information about the community around Rush Chapel. It might be a good idea if each of us set up an account and gatheres some basic information about our respective congregations and communities. This could help us focus on the "figurative" walls that exist and how to approach building church without walls.

Information I gathered :

Current Population
Projected 5 YearPopulation Change
Largest Lifestyles Group
Non-Anglo Population
Fastest GrowingRacial/Ethnic Group
Households with NoFaith Involvement
Average Age
Average Household Income
Single Parent Households
College Graduates


Suggested programs and community preference in the following areas:

1. Cultural Programs (Music, Drama, Art, etc.)
2. Care for the Terminally Ill
3. Sports or Camping Programs
4. Adult Theological Discussion Groups
5. Twelve Step Recovery Programs
6. Church-Sponsored Day School
7. Spiritual Retreats
8. Active Retirement Programs
9. Parent Training Programs
10. Bible Study Discussion/Prayer Groups
11. Divorce Recovery
12. Food and Clothing Resources
13. Day Care Programs
14. Personal or Family Counseling
15. Family Activities and Outings
16. Youth Social Programs
17. Marriage Enrichment Opportunities

Lillian

I sent out the closing worship details (via email) on December 11. If you did not receive them let me mow and Iwill resend them. Thanks Lillian

I should have the details for the closing worship service completed by the end of this week.
I will email the information as assoon as possible.

Lillian

Hallelujah! I'm baaaack. This is Bob "lost in the wilderness" Knowles signing on after wading thru the the Google briar patch. I read some of your early posts and also have identified a few books and other sources. However, I'm particularly interested in the book mentioned by Vivian as being available through an online bookstore. Will see if I can find/obtain it. Meanwhile:Have we gotten anywhere in planning our closing service for end of January? Happy to help anyway I can. in His service, Bob Knowles

Possible Approach

Hi Everyone:

I told you all about the book "Leading Beyond the Walls" which provides way to reach the community around the church. There is another book "The Master's Plan for Making Disciples" by Win Arn and Charles Arn. The books presents 2 ways of reaching beyond church walls to make disciples.

Leading Beyond the Walls: The author studied the community, set up the church staff to reflect and support the makeup of the community, used marketing, follow up visits and calls to make disciples. Communication is essential to disciples making process. Communication to the uchurched so they know about church activities (not the building but the church body - the members). The book also addresses the steps taken to assimilate new members into the church community.

The Master's Plan for making Disciples: Uses a method similar to John 4:27-42 where members reach out to their extended families (relative, neighbors, co-workers, etc...) to make disciples. The book also addresses the steps necessary to assimilate new members into the church community.

Suggestion: maybe we could investigate both methods, provide biblical and the 21st century environment support for both methods and maybe come up with a combined approach.

Any comments?

Lillian

John 4:27-42

As I m praying about our project I am reminded of John 4:27-42. How in order to grow Christ's church we must have a mindset of the Samaritan woman. After her encounter with Jesus she went to testify to the village of her encounter with Christ. She did not know scripture or doctrine. All that she had within her was the excitement she felt. To me this is what back to the basics is, being on fire for Jesus and being so excited that we can't wait to share with the world what our Savior has done for us. Also; to be aware that the harvest in great.

I just needed to share this.

Reference Material

Hi,

I purchased several books that I thought would be useful. The first is "Leading Beyond the Walls" written by Adam Hamilton. The books tells how the author, the Pastor of a UMC.
The book is great. I am half way through and it contains a wealth of information. Believe it or not once I started reading the book it was hard to put it down. The hardcover edition is $15.64 on Amazon. I encourage you all to purchase it if you can. I will continue to read and write a report on the book when I am finished.

One of the things that the author (and others)suggest is that we do a demographic study of an area we might want to focus on. I have some information on how to do that but if anyone knows how to go about doing a demographic study it might be something we might went to consider doing.

Lillian

JOHN WESLEY AS CHURCH GROWTH STRATEGIST

I came across this article on the internet, looks like it would be useful to our theme of getting back to the basics.

http://wesley.nnu.edu/wesleyan_theology/theojrnl/21-25/21-02.htm

Reference Material

You all might want to take a look at the information at the following web site:
http://outreachtraining.com/documents/Smallchurchoutreach.pdf

Let me know if the link works.

Also check out the 2007/08 LUMC Research Projects in DISCIPLESHIP
on http://www.ngumc.org/related_organizations/board_of_laity/

Lillian

Home Churches

The Rush Chapel web Site is as follows: www.gbgm-umc.org/rushchapel/

thanks
Lillian

Mike,

Please add my church name to the list of home churches involved: Rush Chapel UMC.

Lillian

Home Churches

Hi Mike,
Please add my church name to the list of home churches involved: Bethel-Atlanta.