Missions / Outreach / Evangelism

In a joint effort to grow our churches and to reach people for Jesus Christ, four churches have come together to plan and act in an evangelistic spirit.  Updates of the meetings will be posted here...

Evangelism – Church Growth - March 2005

Joint Meeting of Brent and Centreville Charges

 Church Trends:  All churches in the two charges show a significant downward trend in church membership over the past 10 years.

 Demographics:  Current census data for Bibb County was shared for members to preview and look for ministry opportunities before our next meeting.

 Current Evangelism & Outreach:  angel tree, care of foster children, prayer cards, adopting a classroom, community appreciation luncheon, community theatre, Kairos prison ministry support (prayers, agape, cookies, placemats, team members, etc.), Girl Scout troop, ladies’ Bible study, tutoring, shut-in ministry (Holidays, bulletins, cards, gifts, visits, fruit baskets, newsletter, community revivals, dulcimer group, quilting group, Hispanic ministries, alternate safe site for local school classrooms, giving out water & participating in the March for Jesus

 Possible Changes That Will Help Grow Churches:  coordinate schedules between 4 churches, begin a door-to-door visitation effort (with tracks and fliers), create a welcome packet that lists each church’s times, as well as local information (doctors, stores, maps, etc.) and a small gift – this packet would go to newcomers at church or in homes we visit, distribute a quarterly calendar of charges’ events, create a joint outreach committee with members of all 4 churches – meet quarterly – contact person listed for information, each church will host a Saturday afternoon gathering (food, games, fun) for the community - especially for new people visited or attending – to get to know the church families and the buildings, have transportation to bring people (children or adults) to church, continue VBS with focus on evangelizing the unchurched, keep church property and sign attractive for visitors, have greeters at each service, post hours of services outside in visible area, expand scouting ministry to include all age ranges, have an outreach for the elderly / nursing home (like a 30-minute church service), partner with a local campground to offer church services on Sunday mornings, unite with Bibb County Christian Ministries to staff a common interview and distribution point for those in need (clothing, food, shelter, etc.).

 Goals:  Short-term goals are before next general conference.  Long-term goals are beyond four years.  [1] Welcome Packet – Brenda Watkins; [2] Coordination of Schedules / Calendar-Brenda Watkins; [3] Quarterly Outreach meetings; [4] Increase membership by confession of faith every year; [5] Transportation Ministry; [6] Childrens’ Ministry expanded

 Summary:  We have decided to follow Jesus…We are the church.  We will meet again in April to begin this journey together.  At that time we will review census data, break apart into the goal areas for action items, and to begin implementing these changes.  V

MAY 1, 2005

The second meeting was divided among six evangelism areas:  Welcome Packet, Children Ministry (VBS), Transportation, Quarterly Fellowship, Group Calendar, BCCM Interviewer.  The quarterly fellowship will alternate between Centreville and Brent, meeting on a Saturday in July, October, January, and April.  VBS will likely be the week of July 11-15 at McDaniel, with other churches assisting.  A preliminary joint calendar will be issued as soon as possible to get things going. 

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