WINCHESTER FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CONSULTATION REPORT
October 11, 2014
INTRODUCTION
We, the Consultation Team, would like to thank Pastor Heather Foley, the lay leadership and the congregation of Winchester First 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: 1) Winchester First UMC’s self-study document provided by its leaders; 2) FCJ online survey; 3) interviews with pastor, 4) interviews with ministry team leaders; 5) a focus group with participants from the congregation; 6) a meeting with the Administrative Council; 7) a MissionInsite demographic report of the area’s population; 8) Faith Perceptions Mystery Guest Report; 9) and input from Saturday’s leadership workshop.
Our prayer is that God will use this assessment experience and consultation report to help Winchester First UMC more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the community and the world.
STRENGTHS
Winchester First United Methodist Church’s greatest strengths are as follows:
1. GENEROSITY
Generosity is a hallmark of Winchester First UMC. Their generous spirit is not only recognized by those within the church, but by the community as well. Members of Winchester First UMC give far above the average per capita gift for Methodists nation wide. One community member described this as the “giving church”. The people of Winchester First UMC have been blessed with many resources, and they are a blessing through their generous spirit.
2. WARM CARING CONGREGATION
Winchester First UMC is a community of faith that places a high value on caring for one another especially during the challenges of life. The team heard many stories of heartfelt care responses that encouraged members during their darkest moments. Many shared how they felt deeply cared for by others within the congregation during times of sickness, loss or tragedy. One member just simply stated:“We take care of each other.” The congregation can find comfort and strength knowing that they will both give and receive great care.
3. NEW OUTREACH MINISTRIES
The gospel of Jesus Christ bids every church to go beyond its walls to minister to the least, the last, and the lost. Winchester First UMC has responded to that call with some initial outreach ministries that are great first steps to becoming more outwardly focused. These include meals delivered to residents of Heather Park Apartments, Party in the Parkat Beeson Park, and an extraordinary commitment to hosting AA and NA groups that are currently affecting the lives of approximately 80 people every week.
4. CONGREGATIONAL TENACITY
In spite of a history of significant setbacks, including fire, floods, internal struggles, and personal tragedies, Winchester First UMC hungers for a healthy and vibrant future. The gradual decline in attendance over the last decades, and having to abandon their beloved sanctuary and its future demolition tax even the most hopeful among them. But this church with its 192 year history has proven its tenacity again and again. As a quick tour of the Winchester County courthouse square and its monuments show, this is a congregation within a community of those willing to pay the price to guarantee what is precious to them.
CONCERNS
Winchester First UMC’s greatest areas of concern are as follows:
1. UNRESOLVED GRIEF
During interviews the Consultation Team repeatedly observed and heard of the extensive grief being experienced by the congregation over the loss of their sanctuary. The delayed demolition of the building has had a significant impact on the effectiveness of their ministry and is a constant reminder of what was instead of what can be. Several commented that “people need to see action”andfeel that “the congregation has declined because we do not have things figured out.”
2. MISSION AND VISION
While there is a vision plan that leadership has spent considerable time crafting, no one could articulate what that plan is and how it is guiding this congregation. This lack of a clearly articulated vision leaves the congregation without a clear, shared direction. It also hinders realistic goal setting, long-range planning, evaluation of results, and the wise stewardship of human and financial resources.
3. INADEQUATE DISCIPLESHIP
Winchester First UMC does not have a strategic process to move people through the stages of spiritual development and no clear path exists to help people become disciples. During interviews the Consultation Team heard that “discipleship is almost non-existent here.” The team also heard that there are many people who are so involved in committee work that they do not have time for discipleship. Moving to a more streamlined leadership structure would provide opportunities for individuals to participate in spiritual growth.
4. MISSING GENERATIONS
The FCJsurvey revealed that the number one concern of the congregation is declining attendance. Throughout the weekend the team heard a desire to have young families with children involved in the life of the church. The Consultation Team concurs with these self-identified concerns as there are entire generations of people missing from the congregational demographic. While many persons talked about the lack of young families with children, no one has a strategic plan to engage them.
MINISTRY ACTION PLAN
The Consultation Team is confident that the leadership of Winchester First UMC is able to implement the following ministry action plan. We also believe that the church will be able to discern the next steps and strategies in order to be faithful and fruitful in the future.
1. UNRESOLVED GRIEF
In order to bring about healing and open the congregation to future possibilities, it is recommended that the sanctuary be demolished as soon as possible.
2. DEVELOP A CLEAR, SHARED VISION
The Consultation Team applauds the congregation’s decision to adopt the mission statement to make passionate followers of Jesus to change the world.
The congregation will have a worship service of prayer and forgiveness to become focused and unified in mission, and begin to seek unity in the spirit of Jesus Christ. This will help the congregation to be more spiritually prepared for the Lord’s vision for the future. This will be organized by the pastor and the FCJ Prayer Coordinator and be conducted by January 25, 2015.
The coach will conduct a Vision Workshop for the congregation by February 28, 2015. The purpose of this workshop is to help the congregation discern the vision that will guide future decisions and ministries of the church.
Following the Vision Workshop, the pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a leadership team of five to seven persons who will lead the process to discern the vision which will be presented to the Administrative Council for discussion and adoption by May 31, 2015, and then be presented to the congregation. The newly adopted vision will be used to inform any and all decisions regarding the new building.
Upon adopting the new vision, ministry leaders will demonstrate how each ministry will accomplish the mission and vision. To that end, the leaders will conduct a ministry audit to evaluate all ministries for their alignment to the mission and vision. Any ministries that are not in alignment will be given one year to conform. All continuing ministries will set goals and objectives in alignment with the mission and vision. All new ministries must demonstrate how they will be aligned to the mission and vision and have a plan for effective ministry. This audit will be completed by July 31, 2015.
3. DISCIPLESHIP PROCESS
The coach will present an Accountable Leadership Workshop by March 7, 2015. Following the workshop, the Administrative Council will begin working toward transitioning from the current committee structure to the accountable leadership model. The Administrative Council will develop a plan for recruiting board members and will make the transition by September 1, 2015.
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a team to develop a Discipleship Pathway for all ages. The coach will lead a Discipleship Pathway workshop by April 11, 2015.
A clear discipleship pathway will be developed for moving people from where they are on their spiritual journey to becoming fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. The discipleship pathway will be designed for everyone, whether a non-believer or one who is maturing in their faith. This discipleship pathway will represent a lifelong process. The Team will discern a faith development plan within a Wesleyan model that encourages all persons:
- to connect and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ;
- to be transformed by studying the Bible and the principles of the Christian faith;
- to connect with other believers for support and accountability; and
- to be in service to others for the purpose of the mission.
The Discipleship Pathway will begin being implemented by September 1, 2015.
4. MISSING GENERATIONS
In order to develop inspiring, relevant ministries to families of children and youth, the pastor will form a Family Ministry Team to work with Jennifer Hudsonby March 31, 2015.
The team will develop a plan for ministry that will include the following:
- Evaluate the existing Safe Sanctuaries policy and its implementation
- Visit three congregations of larger size to evaluate their children’s ministry
- Evaluate all current programming to determine effectiveness in reaching the target audience of families with young children
- Develop a strategy to expand the number of participants involved in current ministries
- Effectively communicate these ministries inside and outside the church
- Develop additional leaders and servants in these ministries, and equip teachers to effectively teach core biblical truths in exciting and meaningful ways
- Address childcare needs of younger adults participating in the life of the church
- Explore the possibility of hiring a Family Ministries Coordinator
This team will complete its work by September 1, 2015.
CONCLUSION
We, the Consultation Team, want to thank you for the opportunity to serve your congregation through this Fruitful Congregation Journey assessment process. Our prayers and hope for your congregation is that God will use this process to help your church become more effective and fruitful in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. May God give you courage and strength as you move forward.
Steve Clouse, Chris Danielson, Claudia Lavy, Jennifer Hudson
Town Hall Meeting Dates (at the church):
- Sunday, October 19 at 10:10-11:40 a.m. - led by Mike Wickersham
- Monday, October 27 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. - led by Donna Woods
- Sunday, November 2 at 10:10-11:40 a.m. - led by Tom Osborn
Church Conference Date (at the church):
- Monday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m.