The Millstone - HUMC's Discipleship Plan for 2006
Beginning in 2006, the
The millstones were used to convert grain into flour for the purpose of making bread. The millstone concept can be used in the purpose of making disciples for the transformation of the world. The miller is the Lord. The millstone is the church. The people of the world are the grain. The flour are the disciples. Our goal is to develop the grain, grind the grain, or you might say, teach and disciple the people of the world into the flour and eventually bread, which would be disciples themselves.
In order to be a discipling church, we must be willing to be an incarnational church, a church that leaves the four walls and be a physical presence in the outside community. Within the next year, the outreach of the church will move from the property of
We will use the millstone as our thematic approach. We (the church) are the millstone who transforms the grain (people) into flour/bread (followers/disciples) with the guidance and direction of the miller (the Triune God).
What system is being put in place in order support the disciple-making process described above?
A system of disciple making has been implemented and much more is still to come. Within 2004-2005, training began. Those who desire to join the
Greeters for worship have been trained to welcome newcomers, assist those who are in need of help and our ushers have been trained according to the needs of the worship hour.
The
In September-November 2005, Pastor Jeff St. Clair preached a sermon series on the 8 Characteristics of Healthy Churches by the Natural Church Development program.
Other systems that are in place and will allow the millstone (church) to work are:
· Pray for our leaders/laity through prayer chain/small groups
· Sunday School Teaches hands-on discipleship strategies in their classes.
· Financially, next year the Finance Committee is proposing a $1000 increase to support Outreach. The first time an increase in program funding has occurred over recent years. In 2005, Outreach had a $0 budget.
· The possibility of beginning an Evangelism Team
· Involve Youth more often through worship/committees/small groups.
· Continue to increase our
2. 1. What fruits of disciple-making are currently evident in your local church? 2. Where do you see or anticipate transformation taking place in your local church/community as a result of your disciple-making plan?
1. Revival – conversions taking place 2. Desire to be community
Small Groups- growth in small gr. Global Community (Dominican Republic &
Connection “other UM Churches” We have to be incarnational (physically
Present)to the Community and world.
Stronger Leaders
Boldness Live Nativity to community
Enthusiasm 80% of membership participates (sense of
koinonia-belonging)
Energy
Growth (Spiritual & Numerical) New faces in worship & they come back!
(Desire)
Joy in Choir “Safe Sanctuary” Teachers are trained and
Screened annually. Children and Adults
feel safe and more willing to participate.
New Birth - experiencing the power of the
Holy Spirit and being open to the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
What measurable goals are you setting as a result of this disciple-making plan?
- Spiritual growth & Physical growth
- Emotional well being
- Numerical growth
- Small groups
- NCD Retesting for the third time in January 2006. See scores below
from last two surveys.
What measurements are you willing to be held accountable for?
Measurable Goals for 2006 include:
80 average attendance for Sunday School in 2006
150+ average for weekly worship
2 people growth added per small group
2 small groups added
(Do not focus on numbers primarily. When we witness and when we disciple, these numbers will come naturally. Our purpose is to GO- Go to work, school, play, shop, etc… with the mind of a Christian – to make disciples through our witness and our actions. When we see a number that we have not reached, we remind ourselves that our task to make disciples is not done, nor will it ever be.)
How are the poor, the children, and those on the margins being incorporated into the Body of Christ in your local church?
· Homework Helpers on Tuesdays(an afterschool program for our community children)
· Adopt a dominical kid with Youth Group
· Discretionary Fund (helping those with needs)
· Dinners like TNT (Tuesday Nights Together)/Singles’ Fellowship
· These dinners provide an avenue for those who need a meal to have at least two dinners per week at the church.
· Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard (started in the basement at HUMC and has outgrown this facility and is at Slippery Rock Park/The Food Cupboard is kept in operation through fundraising events like Harrisville Annual Gospel Rally which collects $5000-$7000 annually.
· Challenge Churches to raise items for Food Cupboard.
· Prayer for those in need. Prayer is vital.
· Visitation of shut-ins in homes through our Care Team/ Meals on Wheels
· A new outreach ministry to make disciples has begun in 2005. “Christin Me” our new church clown has been involved already in special events in our church. Goals for next year are to incorporate Christin Me in community events. Christin Me (Connie Hagan) has written a song “Disciples of God” and the music was written by Don Connell. This song is a part of our plan to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
· Nursery during church provides children with a safe environment to learn/children sermon offers a message relative to the adult sermon.
· Young Believers, Church Band which is now one year old! (Giving the younger people in church an opportunity to disciple and witness)
· Kits for Hurricane Katrina/other disasters
· Work team to
· The Harrisville UMC has teamed with Hope Ridge UMC in the East Ohio Conference to build a church in downtown
· Adopt a family in need at Christmas time. Our church collects monies to give to a local family in need.
· Adult Prayer Partners with the children/youth in our church.
· Camping opportunities for our children/youth of the church. This year (2005) we sent 26 children/youth to camp. We also collected over $4000, giving the children almost a free trip to camp.
· A CD is being put together as a welcome tool.
· Would like to begin a story time for kids throughout the week.
· Would like to begin Bible studies outside of the church such as the Laundromat, Subway. (Extending opportunities for those outside of the church)
· Continue training and teaching committees and ministries throughout the year.
· Religious Release – a time offered monthly to public school children to come to HUMC during school hours and to have the Bible taught to them.
· Would like to see nametags made for regular worshippers. Helps those on the margins to know one another and foster community/koinonia –belonging.
· Youth Group- Our youth group averages between 20-30 every week. A Biblical lesson is taught each week.
· Community Hayride – new members have joined from this event.
· Monthly Gospel Concerts – Concerts are open to the public monthly. The groups performing often bring a message and testimony of salvation while playing. New members have come into HUMC because of this event.
· Men’s Breakfast- Our United Methodist Men hold monthly breakfasts which include speakers for spiritual growth and development.
· Our Sunday School Department will continue to be an invitational program for the discipleship of the grain (People).
· During the summer, HUMC and Kathy Barnes offers the 5-Day Club, a week long summer Bible class held in the garage on the church grounds. This class invites children from the community to be a part of this week long event.
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