One for Jesus 2010 Plan
One for Jesus 2010 Plan:
Path to Local Church Effective Ministry
in the Southeast District UMC
1 for Jesuscampaign offers focus and provides steps for local churches to become effective in ministry. Although basic, these steps are critically necessary for expanding Jesus’ kingdom. The aim is for each church to have one more profession of faith in 2010 than it did in 2009.
Affirm One Mission:pastor and church leaders need to put Jesus and his mission at the forefront of the church’s life. I suspect that I don’t have to tell you how other people and other agendas have usurped the place of Jesus and his mission.
The missionof every United Methodist Church is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
If a church is not fulfilling the mission of Jesus, represented by growth in discipleship and new professions of faith, then that church is a disobedient church.
Use One Diagnostic Tool (NCD):The church takesthe Natural Church Development survey to determine the health of the church. NCD is the primary and first level tool for us in the North Alabama Conference. Each church has eight quality characteristics that reflect the health and viability of the congregation. These characteristics are: 1. Empowering Leadership; 2. Gift-based Ministry; 3. Passionate Spirituality; 4. Effective Structures; 5. Inspiring Worship Service; 6.Holistic Small groups; 7. Need-oriented Evangelism; 8. Loving Relationships
The survey will show where the church stands on each of these factors including a minimum and maximum factor.
Sign up for NCD Survey today. Contact Rev. Jim Robertson in the Southeast District at (256) 201-6000 or contact Rev. Lori Carden at (205) 226-7953 or lcarden@northalabamaumc.org in the North Alabama Conference office. The cost is $125.00.
Pick One Resource: After taking the survey, the church will receive the scores.The church is asked to address the minimum factor by picking one resource to work on that minimum factor. This one resource can be added to already effective tools that the church may be using. Addressing the minimum factor will contribute to the health of your congregation. Healthy organisms grow.
Recap: NCD will tell you the minimum factor of the church based on the survey of members. The pastor and key lay persons will pick one resource from the list of options below:
Empowering Leadership (Ephesians 4:11-13)
- Intentional Faith Development(Five Fruitful Practices series) by Robert Schnase
Gift Based Ministry (I Corinthians 12, 13)
- CATCH Planning Kit: A comprehensive program filled with practical ideas to help churches of any size guide visitors to becoming thriving members.
- Serving from the Heart is an 8-week study resource for small groups.
This 4 to 8 week study leads adults through assessing their spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, resources, individual style, dreams and experiences…all adding up to an enhanced capacity to serve God and neighbor.
Passionate Spirituality (Matthew 22:37)
Three Simple Rules: Rueben Job offers an interpretation of John Wesley's General Rules for today's readers. For individual reading or group study, this insightful work calls us to mutual respect, unity and a deeper daily relationship with God.
- Participate in Walk to Emmaus: Central Alabama Emmaus Walks are held at Camp Alamisco, near Dadeville, Alabama.
Functional Structures (Ephesians 4:14-16)
- Job Descriptions and Leadership Training in the United Methodist Church 2009-2012
- Effective Ministry for the Small Membership Church. Contact District office for information or visit Hinton Rural Life Center for upcoming training.
Inspiring Worship (Psalm 122:1)
- Five Practices: Passionate Worship by Robert Schnase
Holistic Small Groups (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Five Practices: Intentional Faith Developmentby Robert Schnase
- CATCH Planning Kit: A comprehensive program filled with practical ideas to help churches of any size guide visitors to becoming thriving members.
Need Oriented Evangelism (I Corinthians 9:19-22)
- Rethink Church: Contact District office for trainers and training events to help your church become a welcoming congregation using Rethink Church.
- CATCH Planning Kit: help churches guide visitors to becoming thriving members.
- Five Practices: Extravagant Generosity by Robert Schnase
Loving Relationships (John 13:35)
- Five Practices: Radical Hospitality by Robert Schnase
- Rethink Church: Contact District office for trainers and training events to help new comers connect and stay in the church.
Natural Church Development (NCD)
NCD can be used as a resource for any of these eight quality characteristics. If the church wants to use NCD, please contact Rev. Jim Robertson in the Southeast District at (256) 201-6000 or in the North Alabama Conference office, contact Rev. Lori Carden at (205) 226-7953 or lcarden@northalabamaumc.org.
Invite New People to Church: The church needs to look outward to reach and evangelize non-Christian and persons that are not active in a Christian church.
We recommend the church use Rethink Church or Catch (CATCH Planning Kit). Both of these resources are helpful in getting churches to be inviting and welcoming communities of faith.
If your minimum factor is Need Oriented Evangelism, you are probably using one of these to train members in inviting and following up on visitors.
Review the Church’s Progress: Has the church made one more convert in 2010 over 2009? Are the resources used by the church making a difference in the life of the congregation?
Take a new NCD survey to see where the church is on the eight quality characteristics.
Summary of 1 for Jesus 2010 process:
