that we can/should avail ourselves of....
NOVEMBER 7th IN FT LAUDERDALE
Institute includes Funding $$
(send Board Treasurer, Stewardship Team, and Capital Campaign Team?)
(details to follow)
see also:
http://foundation.sunshinecathedral.org
PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT (PAD) CONFERENCE ..in St. Louis
APRIL 17 - 20, 2008
(website info tbd)
Our Region's Business Meeting included a presentation by Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski and a short presentation by the new pastor in Chicago who is planting a new church.
The main business for us was to elect Mitulski who was nominated to continue serving as our Elder. The vote was very strong to support that nomination. He will continue to serve on the Board of Elders and as the Elder for Region Two, of which we are a part.
I suggested to Rev.Kevin Downer of Chicago that we would support him in his efforts there (tbd). (church plant)
Our next Regional Conference is "probably" going to be held in Minneapolis. Shall I lobby to host it in St. Louis (so many, many here can enjoy)???
"Jesus & Justice"
"Thriving with HIV"
How to share our (MCC's) unique ecumenical gift.
If you wish you could have participated in any of the above discussions....let me know, and I can get you the tape (DVD).
Or....watch for an upcoming TAP presentation.
Planned Giving
Sustaining Growth
Virtual Communications
Virtual Education
Living Longer (health)
AIDs & Social Justice
Breaking Growth Barriers
Music for Worship
Would Jesus Discriminate
(means of awareness for us)
Marriage Equality
Resources for Justice Team
Again, I can get the tapes for any ministry team who wishes to tap into these vital discussions and lessons.
I am hoping to work with our new comminications director and share about the virtual church, e.g. communications and education opportunities.
Rev. Jeff Miner of Indianapolis, Indiana (Jesus MCC) led a discussion about the three challenges we MCC churches are now facing:
1. Flat Growth (as a denomination and as the local church)
2. Revolving Door syndrome (in 5 years, expect 17% still here)
3. Stiff market competition (from other denominations)
However, in spite of these challenges, his congregation has grown from 45 members to 452 members, from 300 to 400 per week in worship and from $12.50 to $25 per person in giving. They now average $10,000 per week in giving.
He has wonderful ideas about how this happened. Three key components, he suggests, is
1. Awsome teaching and training
2. Welcoming Diversity
3. Doing Justice with Boldness (e.g. Would Jesis Discriminate Campaign)
I suspect we could learn much about the Holistic Growth of which he speaks. I hope to share his information, plus his contact information with our Justice and Stewardship Teams, plus anyone on the Board or Staff concerned with these issues.
From the brochure he hands out to the Leadership and potential leaderss:
"God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things...And now it's happening again. For some reason, God has chosen to raise up Jesus MCC to become the largest MCC anywhere in Middle America....We have grown from 45 to over 450 in the past ten years, making us the fastest growing MCC in the world. With this comes great responsibility. Jesus said, "To whom much is given, of them shall much be required."....our vision now needs to expand...to include intentional outreach to the Emerging Church Movement and straight people who want to share in our church."
These are wonderful words to remind us that there are MANY who have been alienated by institutional religion and MCCer's can help call them to find a wonderful, loving and inclusive God.
Cheryl Stockton, Lay Delegate
