You’ve heard about it – the panic that has seized the Annual Conference and our whole denomination about losing members. Over the past decades we have slowly shrunk; we are still one of the largest denominations in America but we re losing ground. Leaders in particular are troubled by this (as they should be) and have been trying to respond to the situation. Our Annual Conference has come up with the Beta Vitality Project; but first, a little back story.
A few years ago the Conference entered into a capital funds drive originally billed to start new faith communities. We didn’t hear too much about it here at Cedar Cross and that was largely my doing – I didn’t feel I could ask you all to give money for new churches when we were unable to pay our apportionments. Meanwhile, a number of churches suggested that some of the money raised be used for revitalizing existing churches, in addition to starting new ones. The result has been the funding of the Tuell Center for Leadership Excellence (it’s a virtual center so don’t try to MapQuest it.) The Tuell Center has been in the process of developing the Beta Vitality Project. The next step in that process is to pilot the program and guess what…. our church has been chosen as one of twelve in the Annual Conference to be a part of the process.
It will be a two year program beginning this fall. Early in August a newly formed committee of volunteers attended a workshop in Kent. We will be assigned Vitality in Process (VIP) Coach, Rev. John Haller, who will meet with the committee on a regular basis over the two year period.
The task of the committee and the goals of the process is threefold: First to assess the strengths and assets of our church; to discern our spirit and identity. Second, to identify our ‘mission field.’ A mission field is not about missions in the conventional sense, but rather is those with who we would have affinity, who would be attracted to becoming a part of our faith community. For example, is our church a good place for families with children? (I like to think so.) Who are the people living in our neighborhood? Are we going to attract fundamentalists? (Probably not).
Thirdly, we hope to build a plan for ministry. We will be looking at all sorts of “modules for ministry:” Radical Hospitality, Spiritual Practices for Church Leaders, Passionate Worship, Risk-taking Mission and Service, Social Media Systems, Intentional Faith Development, Sharing our Faith, etc. (article continued on page 3)
It is somewhat ironic that we have been chosen for this project when, in my assessment, we are already in the process of revitalizing. I was told that originally churches that are not paying full apportionments would not qualify for the program, but perhaps someone sees enough promise in us to choose us anyway. In any case, it is an honor to be chosen and an opportunity to reflect on who we are and where we envision going as a Church. I am excited about this opportunity, and I invite you all to join me, and to participate too.
Prayers are welcome. Pastor Jim
* The explanation for naming the project “Beta Vitality” is as follows: “Beta implies taking a risk to stretch and experiment with church life in a new and intentional way. In the hiking and rock climbing community, ‘beta’ refers to sharing needed information to successfully complete a particular climb or trail. In the same way, the process is designed to equip your church with what it needs to successfully navigate your own way on your journey towards greater vitality.” Just in case you were curious.
