Every so often, a church needs to assess the different components of its "ship" - leadership, membership, fellowship, discipleship, stewardship - to determine if it is sailing smoothly ahead or is tossing in rough waters. 

In 2010, the Carl Junction United Methodist Church invited a team of consultants from the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church (known as the HCI Team) to meet with staff and laity for in-depth analysis and discussion to arrive at key congregational prescriptions for change that lead to growth.  Five (5) prescriptions for change were adopted by our church and we are in the "process" of implementing these healthy changes as follows:

First, we were excited to welcome Pastor Jim Cooper as our new captain and shepherd of our flock.  Pastor Jim's no-wishy-washy, stand-firm-in-your-beliefs principles of "preaching the Word and loving the people" have energized our congregation and created a new synergy.  His sermons are uplifting and confirming that God indeed has plans for each one of His followers.  Carolyn Cooper's supportive strengths, capabilities and serve-where-needed attitude include, but are not limited to, singing in the choir, serving on committees, assisting in the kitchen, hosting an Open House for the congregation at the parsonage and helping to develop the full-time Children's Church.

Second, three Teams were implemented to move us forward:  Mission & Vision Team, Bridge Team, Connection Team.

 The Mission & Vision Team is responsible for:

• bringing reconciliation within the church and in the mission field;
• helping to discover ways to join God on the mission field in our area;
• accepting the mission statement as the "Making of New Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World";
• overseeing every ministry in the congregation in demonstrating how it will accomplish this mission;
• creating a new Vision statement and presenting it to the Accountable Leadership Team (previously known as the Administrative Council) for approval, then presenting it to the congregation;
• continuing as a Team for at least a year to assist and oversee the implementation of the prescriptions given to the church by the HCI Team.

NEW VISION STATEMENT
 
Our Mission and Vision Team has been working the last few months on a new Vision Statement.  When we entered into the HCI process, we accepted the Mission Statement which is:

  "Making new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." 

This means that every ministry in the congregation must demonstrate how it will accomplish the Mission Statement.  As a part of the HCI prescriptions, we were asked to come up with a Vision Statement that will help us accomplish the Mission Statement.  The Mission & Vision Team felt the Vision Statement should be something we can remember without having to write it down and read it.  After much discussion and idea sharing, the statement was presented to the Acountable Leadership Team and was adopted by them.  The new Vision Statement for our church is: 

 "Compelled by the love of Jesus Christ, we will serve, share and make a difference

by introducing people to a life changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ." 

The Mission & Vision Team believe this is the road map to making disciples of Jesus Christ.  The goal of every ministry of the church is to serve, share and make a difference.  If we can do that, we will see people experience the life-changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Let's commit that Vision Statement to our hearts and make sure it is the reason we do the things we do.

The Bridge Team is responsible for:

• leading and facilitating the "building of bridges to the community";
• researching the needs of the people in our community through interviews with local officials, the chief of police, the fire chief, council members, etc.;
• creating two (2) focus groups with residents regarding the future role of the church in the community;
• conducting three (3) community-focused events (not for members) to reach new people and build relationships (these could be especially focused on children);
• conducting three (3) service events to share the love of God with the community;
• planning and facilitating the above-referenced events;
• continuing as a Team for a second year in 2012 to evaluate and plan events and activities that will help connect the church with the community.

The Connection Team is responsible for:

• examining all follow-up procedures for any first-time guests (whether encountered at worship or through any outwardly-focused Bridge Team event or program);
• implementing any needed changes in said follow-up procedures;
• developing a step-by-step strategy for helping new guests connect with church ministries;
• following up on regular attendees who have not been present in worship over a predetermined time frame;
• developing printed and web resources for first-time guests and regular attendees.

If you have any questions about the HCI or would like to be included on a Team, please call Pastor Jim (649-7124) or email him. 

Even if you aren't a member of a specific Team, you are always welcome to attend a meeting to gain information about what is going on and/or if you have something you would like to bring up to one of these Teams, please let Pastor Jim know.
 

Please join us in our ongoing efforts to develop a