The United Methodist Church commissioned a group to study what makes a congregation vital.  This is what that group discovered after reviewing the statistics of 33,000 churches:

 Vital congregations are Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that

Welcome all people (Galatians 3:28)

Make disciples of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) and

Serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8 and Luke 4:17-21).

 A vital congregation has

Inviting and inspiring worship

Engaged disciples in mission and outreach

Gifted, equipped and empowered lay leadership

Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership

Small groups and strong children’s programs and youth ministry

 A vital disciple is a changed follower of Jesus

Disciples worship

Disciples make new disciples

Disciples engage in growing their faith

Disciples engage in mission

Disciples give to mission

Vital Congregations Are Mission Stations of the Church.

So what do you think?  Is your church a vital congregation?  I would like to hear from you concerning this — over the next few months we will be developing a ministry plan to become a vital or more vital congregation.  We need your participation and involvement in this process.  You can email me; come by and talk with me; phone me; or attend one of the congregational meetings coming in late July and early August.

 Hope to hear from you,

Pastor Donna