a call to action the vital congregations project

A CALL TO ACTION THE VITAL CONGREGATIONS PROJECT

The Yellowstone andthe Rocky Mountain ConferencesOf the United Methodist Church

The Mission of the United Methodist Church

The mission of The UMC is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (Matt 28:18-20 & Matt 22:36-40)

Vital Congregations Project

This mission is achieved through vital congregations that equip and empower people to be Disciples of Jesus Christ in their homes and communities around the world.

Vital Congregations Project in Response to Call to Action

The VITAL CONGREGATIONS PROJECT was developed in response to the CALL TO ACTION.

A Call to Action

The adaptive challenge and recommendations

CRITICAL ADAPTIVE CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH

To redirect resources to foster and sustain vital congregations

Vital Congregations Are:

Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that welcome all people (Gal.3:28)

Vital Congregations are:

Places where Disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:18-20)

Vital Congregations are

Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries. (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21

Vital congregations share five characteristics

1. Inviting and inspiring worship

2. Engaged disciples in mission and outreach

3. Gifted, equipped and empowered lay leadership

Vital congregations share five characteristics

4. Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership5. Small groups and strong children’s programs and youth ministry

Every Local Church Participates by

1. Setting Numeric Goals 2. Establishing Action plans

to Achieve the Goals3. Sharing Stories

How to Enter Your Numeric Goals

Enter their goals in five areas on the umvitalcongregations.org web site.

1) Average Weekly Attendance2) Professions of Faith3) Small Groups4) Members in Mission5) Dollars Given to Mission

Setting Goals

Go to the “setting goals” tab and find their church through the methods provided.

Sample report chart:

Historical Data and Goals

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 Avg. Weekly Attendance Professions of Faith Small Groups Members in Mission Dollars Given to Mission

Setting Goals

You will find statistics for the last few years and projections for the next in the five areas being measured.

This is where you enter your numeric goals on the chart provided.

Validation of GoalsYellowstone and Rocky Mountain Cabinet Members

The DS is then asked to review the local church goals and approve them as valid and possible. This validation process should be connected to the action plans that each church will be submitting to each district superintendent.

Goals to General ConferenceBishop Elaine J. W. Stanvosky These goals, action

plan, and stories about their outcomes will be taken by Bishop Elaine to the 2012 General Conference.

Rocky Mountain Conference

Our conference will begin to participate in Vital Signs beginning on Jan. 1, 2012.

Vital Signs Dashboard

In order to get the RMC signed up to participate in the Vital Signs dashboard reporting process we need to provide to GCFA1. Church name2. GCFA number3. Email for the

church contact

Weekly Report

 The Contact person at each local church will receive an email each week that will be invited them to enter their data

THE YELLOWSTONE ANDTHE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ANNUAL CONFERENCES

www.umvitalcongregations.org