FRUITFUL CONGREGATIONS ASSESSMENT REPORT
LAPEL TRINITY TLC UMC
LAPEL, IN
MAY 20, 2012
Introduction:
We, the consultation team, would like to thank Pastor Doug Barton, Staff, lay leadership and congregation of Lapel Trinity TLC United Methodist Church for the invitation to consult with this Body of Christ. The following observations and prescriptions are the result of this team studying the following information: a) Lapel Trinity TLC United Methodist Church’s self-study document provided by its leaders, b) interviews with pastor, staff and ministry team leaders, c) a focus group with members of the congregation, d) a meeting with the administrative council, e) a Mission Insite demographic report of the area’s population, f) input from Saturday’s leadership workshop and, g.) input from the Faith Perceptions Mystery Guest Worshipper Report. Our prayer is that God will use this assessment experience and consultation report, to help Lapel Trinity TLC United Methodist Church more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the community and the world.
Strengths:
Lapel Trinity /TLC United Methodist Church’s greatest strengths are as follows:
1.RISK TAKING
Several years ago Lapel Trinity UMC did something that most United Methodist congregations have not done and probably would not do. Because of a passionate vision to make disciples for Jesus Christ, Lapel Trinity UMC launched a bold outreach to an unreached population group in the county.
The church purchased 24 acres of land in a tremendous location, raised funds, and built the Trinity Life Center (TLC). Today, six years later, TLC houses a Montessori Preschool, community events, soccer games, family picnics, community yard sales, etc. but also has become an evangelistic extension of Lapel Trinity. TLC was conceived as a “community center” and designed as an outreach to the unchurched. God has blessed the Trinity vision and today the Trinity Life Center houses a worshiping community of approximately 125 persons, and in 2010 alone, 34 persons professed their faith in Christ and joined the Lapel Trinity movement.
2.CARING FAMILY COMMUNITY
The congregation of Trinity UMC is a community of loving, caring people. When asked what is the best part of the Trinity/TLC ministry, many members spoke of relationship with the people and the family atmosphere of the congregation. Clearly, Trinity is a warm, loving place where people have genuine, authentic, relationships where people are nurtured, loved, and supported through the trials and challenges of life. God’s love is expressed within the church family in powerful and transforming ways. One leader said, “We just love each other and it shows.” That is clearly is one of the hallmarks of this congregation.
3.EXCELLENT LOCATIONS Lapel Trinity/TLC is a multi-site ministry with all of the blessings and challenges of multi-site! One of the blessings is having a transforming presence and unique ministries in two strategic locations in the Lapel area.
The Trinity downtown location is the historic foundation of this United Methodist ministry. The congregation should be commended for not abandoning the downtown area when they launched a new ministry to reach new people. They recognized that the niche of traditional worship was important to continue. The downtown location is well-known in the community for its concern, outreach, and faithful witness to people in need through the years. The building is a large resource with a lot of square footage for developing new ministries.
The TLC location is in a highly visible area on 24 acres on the intersection of Hwy. 38 and 13. Thousands of cars drive by this site daily and the intentional design of the grounds and facility say “Welcome, come on in.” The grounds are being continually developed to extend the welcome: a walking path for exercise and spiritual growth, a pavilion, space for soccer fields, and other community activities. This location gives Trinity/TLC a powerful witness in the community, as well as increasing the ability of reaching hundreds of new families in the area.
4.WEEKDAY CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Trinity/TLC, on both sites, houses weekday children’s ministries well-known throughout the area. These ministries serve as great open doors to the community’s young families who are seeking quality weekday children’s ministries. These ministries also serve as a way for newcomers to come into the facilities, feel at home, and possibly take their next step with God within the Trinity/TLC family at either of these locations.
We found that the staff who work in these two venues are very cooperative with each other, support one another, and plan combined activities. It is great to see this cohesion of these weekday children’s ministry teams.
5.MISSION WORK
Trinity/TLC is well-known for mission work. The congregation is quick to respond to human need not only within the church family, but also as an expression of concern and love for the people of the community. Many examples were highlighted during the consultation weekend that demonstrated that Trinity/TLC is quick to respond. This included developing a community Food Pantry, an outreach to the families caught in the Henryville tornado damage, and responses to situations that develop in community families.
This expression of God’s love is a profound aspect of what it means to be at Trinity/TLC.
Concerns:
Areas of concern are as follows:
- LACK OF A UNIFYING VISION
- LIMITED STAFF ACCOUNTABILITY
- CHILDREN AND YOUTH
- LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
- LACK OF INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY
Prescriptions:
In order to address the above concerns, Lapel Trinity TLC United Methodist Church must implement the following prescriptions:
1.MISSION AND VISION:
The date these prescriptions are adopted, Lapel Trinity TLC UM Church adopts “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” as its mission.
The congregation will have a day of prayer and forgiveness during Sunday worship to embrace God breaking open the hearts of the congregation for the local unchurched. The service will prepare the membership for God’s future vision. This will be led by Paula Gast, or someone designated by her in consultation with the coach and Pastor Doug Barton on or before June 24, 2012.
The pastor and coach will conduct a Day of Visioning workshop by July 8, 2012, to assist the pastor in clarifying and providing a more focused vision (of reaching the community) to guide Lapel Trinity TLC UM Church into the future. This vision will be affirmed by the Ministry Leadership Team.
The days between the Day of Prayer and the Day of Visioning will be used by the people of the congregation as a call to prayer and fasting for this vision for the congregation. The vision will be presented to the Ministry Leadership Team of Lapel Trinity TLC UMC for approval by August 15, 2012. Upon approval, this vision will be communicated to the congregation.
2.LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT:
3.SUNDAY MORNING EXPERIENCE
4.COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION:
5. DISCIPLING PATH
Conclusion
We, the consulting team, want to thank you for the opportunity to serve your congregation through this Fruitful Congregation Journey assessment process. Our prayer and hope for your congregation is that God will use this process to help your church become more effective and fruitful. May God give you courage and strength as you move forward.
- Rev. Herb Buwalda
- Steve Clouse
- Ann Handschu
- Sheila Wilimitis
Town Hall Meeting Dates
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – 12:00 PM
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Church Conference Voting Date:
Monday, May 21, 2012 – 6:00 PM