Council on Ministries Report
To
Charge
Conference
October 2005
The focus of the Council on Ministries (COM) this year was to continue the multi-step process to move First United Methodist Church through the transition to a Purpose Driven Church format. Step One was completed in 2003 by reorganizing our church around the five purposes of Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministries, and Evangelism. We then proceeded to Step Two as our church ventured through the Purpose Driven Life Church-wide Campaign in 2004.
From this basis, we focused 2005 on completing Step Two, developing a church-wide purpose statement as well as purpose statements for all five teams within the Council on Ministries. Additionally, we spent a lot of time initiating Steps Three and Four by beginning to “communicate our purpose” to the congregation and “evaluating on purpose.” Every existing program within the Council on Ministries was evaluated against its target groups to make sure it was serving its intended purpose, was located under the correct purpose team, and against the adopted purpose statements to make sure it is in line with what God is blessing here at First Church. This resulted in a revised organizational chart for all work areas within the Council on Ministries. The COM Team is pleased to present herewith the adopted purpose statements as well as revised organizational chart. A copy of the organizational chart from the 2004 Charge Conference is also attached for comparison purposes. A status update of the Steps to Becoming a Purpose Driven Church is provided as well for further clarification.
For 2006, our goal is to proceed through Step Three, “communicate our purpose” church-wide and especially to the other Administrative Board Teams to help the entire church to “budget, plan, and program on purpose,” and continue Step Four, to “evaluate on purpose” by determining what the balance should be in all five teams in order to provide a healthy church serving all persons. Understanding and achieving that balance does not necessary mean equality of activities, but meeting God's purpose for First Church. This may mean adding new work areas to certain teams or restructuring activities. We will also “calendar on purpose” by making sure the entire congregation and community is offered a variety of opportunities for growth via worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism.
All of the above efforts have been conducted in addition to the regular calendar of activities of each team. A few highlights from this past year are:
Worship Team: Dave Myers, Chair:
- Revival during Lent
- Lenten Luncheon Series
- Holy Thursday Last Supper Drama
- Good Friday Cross-Walk with community churches
- Choir Cantatas
- Restructured Children's Church Program
- Updated Usher Program
Fellowship Team: Amy Miller, Chair:
- Polar Bear Swim in February
- Pizza Nite in March
- Movie Nite, The Passion, in April
- Weekly Fitness Ministries Program
- Continued to grow a monthly “Moving On” fellowship for persons who have lost loved ones
- Currently leading the development of the City-wide First Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day to raise funds for LARS
Discipleship Team: Debbi Schneider, Chair:
- Sunday School for all grade levels, year-round
- Adult Sunday School Classes on a variety of topics
- Confirmation Class for 12 students
- Vacation Bible School for 100 church and community children
- Disciple Classes
- Numerous evening Bible Studies including “Beginnings,” “Honest to God,” “Too Busy Not to Pray,” and Pastor's studies.
- Sub-committees continue working on restructuring the curriculum for youth and adult Sunday School programs
Ministries: Greg Sweitzer, Chair:
- Winterhaven for Women and Men
- Church Bazaar and Ham Luncheon by UMW
- Active Youth Ministry including participation in Camp Hope
- Participation in Women of Faith, Promise Keepers, and Acquire the Fire
- Emmaus Sponsorship and Reunion Groups
Evangelism: Howard Holm, Chair
- Evangelistic Coffeehouse Program every other month with local bands
- Well-distributed audio tape ministry of sermons
- Participated in Main Street Festival
- Continued Nursing Home Services
- Active in community outreach ministries such as LARS, FISH, Elizabeth House, Laurel Pregnancy Center, Waxter Prison Ministries, and MS Circuit Riders programs, to name just a few
- Sponsored a concert by Dr. Mack Statham in April, donations contributed to the choir and Laurel Pregnancy Center
In addition to our very active, regular ministries, we remain deeply committed to the completion of the Purpose Driven Church transition over the next several years. We seek to be the “City on the Hill” in Laurel by fulfilling the purposes that God is blessing within our church and community.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda L. Ryan, Chair, COM