Plans for Annual Conference Workshop

June 2009

I. Begin with what we believe God is telling us to do. What does the Bible say to us? Have members of the Council state what they believe God is saying to Rose Hill United Methodist Church

A. Preach and teach the Gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19-20)

B. Feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35)

C. Teach the children (Matthew 28:19-20)

D. Care for the children (Matthew 10:42, 19:13-15)

E. Reach out to strangers, especially those not like ourselves (Matthew 25:38, Romans 12:13)

F. Care for the homeless (Matthew 25:36)

G. Care for the sick, including those with addictions (Matthew 25:39)

H. Bring our tithes to the storehouse of God (Malachi 3:10)

II. Look at the community. What are its needs?

A. Ministry with growing Hispanic population

B. Something for youth to doC. Something for young adults

to doD. Supportive ministry for

those struggling with addictions

III. Look at our congregation. What are our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis)?

IV. What is our denominational emphasis? A. Seven Pathways

1. Teaching the Wesleyan

Model of reaching and forming disciples of

Christ.

2. Strengthening the clergy/

lay leadership3. Developing new

congregations.4. Transforming

existing congregations.

5. Ending racism and authentically expanding racial and ethnic ministries6. Reaching and transforming the lives of new generations of children7. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor

5. Ending racism and authentically expanding racial and ethnic ministries6. Reaching and transforming the lives of new generations of children7. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor

B. Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

1. Radical Hospitality2. Passionate Worship3. Intentional Spiritual

Formation

4. Risk-Taking Mission 5. Extravagant

Generosity

IV. What should be our resulting ministry goals (3-5)?

A. SimpleB. AchievableC. Measureable

VI. Develop Goals A. Make our Hospitality more

effective (St. Matthew 10:40) 1. Visit first-time guests within 48 hours of their visit2. Offer first-time visitors a visitor’s information card

3. Do all that we possibly can to make all persons feel

welcome

B. Develop a plan for Reaching New Disciples for Jesus Christ (St. Matthew 28:19)

1. Lead persons to make a faith commitment to Jesus Christ2. Have a Confirmation Class for youth

3. Teach persons to live like Jesus

4. Equip persons to serve like Jesus (St. Mark 10:43-45)

C. Equip all lay persons for ministry (Ephesians 4:11)

1. Have Bible Study on Spiritual Gifts

2. Train persons to be empowered for leadership

3. Assign laity to serve according to

gifts and training

D. Equip members to be good stewards (St. Matthew 25:21)1. Teach Christian Financial

Management2. Teach Biblical principles of

tithing and giving3. Train members to give

through planned gifts and bequests

E. Develop effective communication with members (Romans 10: 14)1. Update and enhance web- site and web management2. Install automated call system3. Utilize ability to have mass email

VII. Assign Responsibility (Each Goal and Strategy

is assigned to one or more members of the congregation)

VIII. Get congregational buy-in A. Shared Goals with

congregation at Annual Charge Conference which was held as a Church Conference. In utilizing this strategy all of the members of the congregation actually voted on the Goals

B. Gave a printed copy of the Goals to each member of the congregation

IX. Work and Pray and Celebrate A. Church Council Chair utilizes

Goals as the basis for developing the Agenda for the Church Council. Those responsible for Goals report on status of respective Goals. Goals are continually being evaluated and revised as the result of prayerful discernment, changing environment, and emerging

needs.

B. Church Council prays for the completion of the Goals

C. Church Council celebrates achieved Goals