Seven Year Ministry Plan

 

Long Range (one to seven) Year Plan for Milton United Methodist Church, 2009-2016

 

 

Milton United Methodist Church has been blessed in many ways over the course of its 185-year history. Most recently, a steady increase in membership, a new church building and its ideal location have together contributed to growing ministries and ministry opportunities. Such growth is remarkable given the sharp declines observed among the United Methodist churches in our area and across the nation in the recent decades. Recent reports from the District Superintendent indicate UM membership has decreased; yet, the MUMC has seen an increase of twenty-nine new members in 2008 with worship attendance increasing by an average of fifteen plus per service. As we look to the next  seven years, we foresee both challenges and wonderful opportunities in relation to the growth MUMC has experienced. 

 

The Ministry Planning Team (mandated by the Wisconsin Annual Conference) has determined four ministry areas to focus on as the principal strengths of our church following the Book of Discipline Model-Ministries, specifically: 1) Nurturing of members and friends of the church; 2) Outreach into our community and throughout the world in missions; 3) Witness of our faith to the unchurched; and 4) Leadership development to ensure future generations of lives (churched and unchurched) are being reached. 

 

There are areas of ministry within this overarching umbrella that have emerged as strengths within our church: 1) worship and music; 2) ministries with children and youth; 3) participation in and support of missions work; and 4) Biblical studies. We believe it important that MUMC strive to maintain these areas of strength while building upon and expanding these and other ministry areas. In addition we see a need for greater interconnectedness within the congregation from young to elderly, a particular challenge as the congregation grows. Undoubtedly, you will note this plan places emphasis on outreach and invitation as our church begins the transition from being a warm, welcoming church to an outreaching, inviting one. 

 

In this spirit, and after prayerful consideration, extensive discussion and interaction with church members and ministry leaders, the ministry planning team has identified the items on the following pages as specific goals for MUMC over the next seven years. Recognizing that much attention the last three-five years has been on our physical building of the new church, we anticipate in the coming years several other forms of Spirit-led “building”, specifically the building of our church ministries, its staff, and our faith community. Although no overall prioritization of goals is intended, we have listed goals related to our church foundation first, recognizing their significance in achieving many of the ministry goals in later sections. For each goal we have identified the relevant ministry teams to be charged with primary responsibility of implementation. 

 

While we are confident that each of these goals can be achieved, we also know that their full completion will demand a substantial commitment from the MUMC congregation in terms of time, talent, AND treasure over the next seven years. It is our sincere hope and prayer that the congregation shares our enthusiasm over these future directions for MUMC, and that through the working of the Holy Spirit this commitment can be achieved. At the same time, and in the spirit of Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” we acknowledge our own fallibility in trying to chart any exact course, and pray that MUMC remain open to God’s direction, wherever that may lead. 

 

We submit this long range plan in gratitude for and amazement over what God has done at MUMC, and with tremendous anticipation for where God will lead MUMC in the near future.  This seven year plan was approved by your Leadership Council in 2009 and has become the guiding direction behind all our ministries.   

 

 

Your 2009 Leadership Council

 

 

 

A church should not be measured by its size, but by its heart; by how it serves the world-wide community, by how it shares God’s message of love, hope and grace, and by its discipleship to the lost and disconnected from Jesus Christ. 

 

Our scriptural base is: Ephesians 4:12, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” 

 

Mission:  Meet the Needs of the People Where They Are At

 

Vision: 

 

 

 

 

[LEADERSHIP] Develop definitive plans for retaining valued members of the MUMC staff.  This includes a current development of job description, performance reviews, retention and recognition plan. [SPRC]           First year – 2009    

 

[LEADERSHIP] Establish a strong connecting ministry (Eph. 4:11-13) to help individuals identify and use their spiritual gifts so that they may grow in faith through meaningful service, and so that church ministries can benefit from called, committed volunteers. [Lay Leadership, Membership]             First – Second year – 2009-10

 

[NURTURE] Seek and add a resource coordinator (possibly using present staff or ministry team focus) to build infrastructure for and help grow a small group ministry, which will be a key to fostering a sense of community at MUMC. This could include home groups, men or women’s group, additional Bible study groups, accountability groups, fun activities groups… [ ]       First – Second year – 2009-10

 

[LEADERSHIP/WITNESS] Contingent upon congregational financial support and budget guidelines, strive to create and fill the following new staff positions to sustain and strengthen our ministries (listed in order of priority):

 

·        Worship Leader, seek to hire two-three months prior to the start of our second service one who will lead the new service. [SPRC, 2^nd Service Team]   First year – 2009

·        Part-time Pastoral Care, will seek a part-time, pastoral care person – perhaps a retired pastor in the local area who will minister pastoral care to shut-ins, hospitalized, home-bound… will help with funeral services as well as other related outreach ministries such as new members classes, welcoming ministries… [SPRC, Pastor]           Second year – 2010

 

[NURTURE] The Youth Ministry is a hallmark ministry at MUMC. Its sustenance and continued growth should remain a major emphasis especially as we seek to reach out to our intermediate school aged children and families as well as younger families in our growing community. We will refocus the responsibilities of the Youth Director to establish a stronger outreach into our community through youth programs – growing our existing children’s programs will be vital. [SPRC, Pastor]            First year – 2009

 

 

[NURTURE] Develop and Implement a Prayer Team

 

·        This is not a prayer chain but a dedicated prayer team that will pray specifically for the church, church leaders, direction and goals of the church as well as other prayer concerns. This may fall under Small Groups.  [ ]      First year – 2009

[OUTREACH] Develop and Implement a new service reaching out to the unchurched or nominally church in our community.

 

[OUTREACH] Seek ways to enhance our evangelistic and out reach

[OUTREACH] Seek ways to improve our use and availability of technology

 

·        e.g., e-mail groups; webpage, sermons on-line, web daily devotions) to improve communication among the congregation

 

 

 

 

[OUTREACH] Expand outreach efforts by

 

·        Seeking opportunities for music outreach to the community, such as concerts by church groups or guest artists [Music ministry]  

·        Increasing community awareness of Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Sunday school [Youth Director, Christian Education].

·        Increasing the number of social events that are attractive to unchurched community members (Such as Freedom Fest, picnics, outdoor concerts…[Outreach, Family Ministries].

·        Explore the possibility of transporting elderly to church on Sundays [Outreach].

 

[OUTREACH] Sustain and further grow mission by

 

·        Starting in 2010, seek to increase church gifts to mission each year by an additional 1-2% of the annual receipts until they reach at least 15%... Good Lord willing [Missions, Outreach, Finance].

·        Increasing awareness of the various forms of mission work in the church by sharing and inviting missions opportunities for all ages and families as well (Next Step Ministry, Wis. Conference, local opportunities… [Outreach, Missions Team].

·        Expanding mission initiatives to include more family-oriented mission trip opportunities.  Continue to emphasize opportunities for all ages within the congregation [Outreach, Missions].

·        Coordinate Christian summer camps and activities [Youth director, Outreach, Missions]. 

 

[OUTREACH/NURTURE] Examine alternative forms of Christian education,

 

·        Such as an additional mid-week program for intermediate age students (NIS),

·        before or after school programs

·        Perhaps a collaborative effort with another Methodist church from our circuit or another denominational church with in our community [Youth Director, Christian Education].

 

 

[OUTREACH/NURTURE] Foster and support the current growth and expansion of Adult Education

 

·        More opportunities for a range of ages in Bible study/Adult Study to include family studies, teen studies … [Christian Education]. First – Fifth year – 2009-14

 

 

[OUTREACH] Begin development of a new church start

 

·        Within 7 years begin the development of a new church start (local or global)

·        This could be a satellite service, a self-sustaining church, it could be partnering with a startup church in another country.

·        Within next 7-year plan have implemented

·        Our long term goal should be to have a new church start every 5 years.

·        Examples include: Television broadcast, retirement or senior living centers (DVD’s watched at Milton and Edgerton Senior living homes), overflow ministry, on-line sermons… [ ]

                                                                                                First – Seventh plus years > 2016

 

 

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[LEADERSHIP] Leadership Development

 

Our goal is to develop clergy and lay leaders, to prepare new leaders in the ministry from ages young to elderly.

 

 

Retool Leadership Council Meetings to include leadership training 2009

 

·        Vital Signs (Year one)

·        Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Year two)

·        Leading Beyond the Walls (Year three)  [Leadership Chair, Pastor]  

First year – 2009

 

15 minutes of each leadership council meeting to walk our readings, and discuss issues, questions…. Each will have their own book. 

Each meeting we will strive to answer these two questions: 

 

·        How can we grow together?

·        Are we finding new communities to reach with the word of God’s Hope, Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness? [Leadership Chair, Pastor]      First year – 2009

 

Develop two one-day leadership retreats – perhaps one in the spring and one in the fall. 

 

·        Leadership will be expected to attend. Agenda and meal provided. Perhaps the first one we discuss (books can be had ahead of time) Widening the Welcome of Your Church (Fred Bernhard and Steve Clapp, Lifequest Publishing). 

[Leadership Chair, Pastor]     Second year – 2010

 

 

[WITNESS] Seek to offer Lay Speaking classes at Milton each year (or every other year) – beginning or advanced classes   [Pastor]

 

[LEADERSHIP] Develop a young leaders plan

 

·        Develop a working plan to encourage youth to participate and learn to become leaders. [Christian Education, Youth Director, Leadership]   Second year – 2010 (and ongoing) 

·        Pastor will meet twice a year with each ministry leader (informal meeting – lunch, breakfast…). The goal is to spend some one-on-one time with the leaders to help coach/mentor. This will take the place of the pastor being at every ministry meeting scheduled in the evenings. [Pastor]   First Year – 2009 (and ongoing)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NURTURE] Continue to enhance and add to the use of laypersons to address increasing visitation demands (Lay leader, Visitation team]. First – Second year 2009-10 (and ongoing)

[NURTURE] Recognize the challenges in integrating new members into a growing congregation; seek ways of following up with individuals, both recent and long-time members, who have not attended church for an extended period of time.

 

·        Seek to develop Membership care

·        To include developing of new members classes, new comers ministry, setting higher expectations for new members that will target prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness, arranging mentors for new members.

·        New members might become part of a small group upon joining the church.

·        This could include coordinating mentors for new members

·        Hosting a new members welcome potluck, luncheon

·        Working towards identifying Spiritual gifts for all members to better fit into specific ministry areas [Membership]. Two – Three years 2010-11

 

 

[NURTURE] Stewardship

 

·        Develop a working plan to teach, educate and nurture members (and perhaps open to the community) ways of managing moneys, tithing, saving, spending… (Dave Ramsey type materials and teaching?) [Stewardship, Finance]. First – Second year 2009-10