At the 2006 All Church Planning Retreat in January, a number of hopes and dreams were named.  They are not prioritized, but are listed relative to the Core Values of First United Methodist Church, Loveland.  It was requested that in mid-year we report on progress made toward those dreams.

DREAMS

PROGRESS

F

expand education to 8:30 & 11:00

create a labyrinth/prayer walk

*expand adult education

more lay participation in worship

form an orchestra

Lay persons participate in worship by serving as lectionaries and communion stewards, making announcements, explaining committee decisions.  The 9:45 worship service is significantly led by lay leaders.

I

Increase lay participation in worship such as sermons, leading prayer, reading Scripture, announcements

Increase “discipling”/mentoring opportunities with pastors for worship prep

Revival

Increase participation in men’s/women’s retreats

In-depth new member orientation & brochure/info packet

Prayer “ministers” available after worship services

Midweek corporate/intercessory prayer at church

Support/call group that is spiritual, not just social

Exit interviews for those indicating choice to leave FUMC

Deliberate drawing all members into fellowship/activities

*Counseling groups for grief, addiction, divorce members into fellowship/activities

Ditto above.

A revival is planned as are retreats for men and women.  Church members need to help spread the word and increase participation.

There are several prayer groups from the congregation.  For more information, call the church office.

R

*Create programs such as Mother’s Day Out, recovery

*Create member mentor program for new members

More outreach through direct communication

Create atmosphere that invites other ethnicities

Events such as monthly dinners, bridge groups

Explore other church’s experiencing success and growth

Communication continues to improve:

·      Committee minutes are on the web site and are available at the Ask Me Desk

·      Lay persons are explaining decisions at worship services

·      Since we are a representational church, committee members are being reminded to share the content of meetings with those whom they represent

·      Members of the congregation are being reminded to ask for information!

·      Information about lay participation is printed in the worship bulletins

S

Have older adult drop-in days, socials

More input from individuals

Lay participation

Push for debt retirement; email information

Ditto references to lay participation

Debt retirement is a frequent topic of conversation at Finance and Church Council meetings.  We are paying off the debt at a faster rate than we originally expected.

Jim Corlett has agreed to provide some budget workshops so that lay persons not on committees can have their budget questions answered.

T

Additional SS options

Young adult ministry opportunities

Children’s ministry options other than SS

*Family classes, programs, activities

Parenting options

Marriage enrichment

Alcohol/drug awareness activities (for victims and support)

Homeless youth/adult outreach

Youth-at-risk outreach/programming

Other adult programs outside the building

*Utilize 57^th & Taft for adult/youth/child programming—after school, Bible studies, worship, etc.

Day-long Biblical seminar

Koinonia/Chrysalis/Emmaus opportunities

*Youth worship; music leader for youth worship

Praise Jam

Development/park at 57^th & Taft (how ‘bout yesterday!)

We have added a young adult ministry program.

Children also participate in Bible School and there will be a Family Literacy Night this summer.  Jennifer Solt, our new Director of Children’s Ministries has plans for additional programming.

Rev. Loren applied for a grant that would provide a concrete slab and “roof” to put on the property with the purpose of reaching out to the “unchurched”.

We have a Long Range Planning Committee that is preparing a report and timeline for this property.  As soon as it is finished, it will be send to Church Council for consideration.

U

Entire congregation empowered to be ministers in/for/beyond congregation

Proclaim “open hearts, open minds, open doors” into reality with truly diverse congregation

Those who participate in worship services regularly hear the call to be ministers for Christ.

M

Distributed leadership for/ increased participation in IHN

Funding for youth mission trips (annual pledges, fewer fundraisers)

Increased bilingual awareness & training

Other ethnic outreach

Our participation in IHN is phenomenal.  To increase leadership and participation is the responsibility of church members/attendees.  We need to invite others to share in this ministry.

C

Invite members/visitors to church events

*Initiate a special needs ministry and a single parent ministry

*Create teen counseling/teen parenting center

Discern lay persons’ gifts & talents

Among the way lay persons’ gifts are discerned is that they:

·      are asked to serve in leadership positions

·      are asked to work with children and youth

·      volunteer to facilitate worship experiences (retreats, mission trips)

·      are asked to serve on such outreach groups as Care Task Force and Stephen Ministries