Congregational Transformation in the EC District

I have been so privileged to work with many folks from the East Central District in the past three years.  As I now move into a new role I am thrilled to be able to share with many more in the years to come!  I am now your District Congregational Transformation Coordinator!  Basically this means that I will be coordinating the work of our District Congregational Transformation Team (DCTT).  This Team works with local churches and pastors to offer several different processes that will help congregations hear God’s voice of calling within their communities.

As a lay person, pastor’s wife, and Christian Educator, I find that this opportunity is directly in line with my own calling which is to encourage local churches to hear God’s voice of direction for their ministries in their communities.  As a District, we provide these opportunities through Natural Church Development (NCD), ReFocusing, Checking Vital Signs (an 8-week process of discernment), and promoting Peacemaker Ministries. 

Our DCTT would be happy to facilitate a meeting with your church leaders to discover which of these methods might be best for your congregation.  The Team is an exceptional group of people who will be of great help to your congregation!

There are several things that I want to make public about my hopes and dreams for our work together.

• I love the local church – especially when congregations are the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities!  Like Bill Hybels says – the local church is the hope of the world!

• I will not tell you what your church has to do!  I want to help you with a process of discovery so that your people can embrace a ministry from their own hearts that will impact your community.

• A special training to develop “transformational coaches” has been a big part of my life in the past year.  I will be coordinating this project within our district as we connect pastors and lay people who want an opportunity to work with a coach to reach ministry goals.  Again, as coaches, we help you complete your goals, not our agendas.

• I hope to help the District see the processes we offer as a positive opportunity for church health.  I specifically want the NCD process to be used and understood as a way to connect a missional vision for each congregation to outcomes that will impact the congregation and its community – resulting in church growth and health.

• I truly believe in John Wesley’s Means of Grace and that sanctification really is a life-long pursuit.  Personally and corporately, we are always involved in transformation.  Status quo isn’t good enough for the Church of Jesus Christ!

If anything written here “rings your bells” give me a call or email.  There is room for a few more folks to be part of the District Congregational Transformation Team.  We are recruiting a new Network of pastors and churches for the ReFocusing process to begin in February 2009 – I would love to talk with you about ReFocusing!  You can contact me at kshockley@flumc.org or 407-896-2230 x 101. 

Blessings,

Kim Shockley

God’s Action throughout the East Central District

Praise God for God’s action throughout the East Central District congregations! Some of you know that each church is requested to submit statistics to the District Office each month. Your District Congregational Transformation Team (DCTT) uses these statistics to monitor, to a small degree, the health of each congregation. More important than the statistics are the stories of God’s activity within the congregation during the past month. Two questions are asked each month: Where have you noticed God at work in individual lives or in your congregation/community? How are you and your leadership growing in your awareness of God’s work among you? Usually about ten to fifteen stories are generated to these questions posed to pastors and office administrators each month.

I was overjoyed to read the stories that came from our request of July’s activity. Here are a few excerpts:

• 140 kids are attending Lakeside’s summer camp, many of whom have not previously been connected to the school or the church. This has been a great outreach. (Lakeside Fellowship)

• The week of July 28th, we found ourselves praising the Lord for the 200 children present for VBS and for the 85 volunteers who gave their time to teach our children about “Jesus’ Miraculous Power”. Each day we were blessed as the entire church campus overflowed with music, laughter, and children. (Community – Debary)

• We had the best youth Sunday service ever On July 28th, as the youth led in every capacity! (First – Sanford)

• During the month our Youth took part on putting on “Faith Night” in which they invited two other churches to participate with them, Lakeside Fellowship and Westview Baptist Church. They worshipped with music, testimonies and put on three different skits. There were approximately 60 youth in attendance. They had a wonderful time in sharing their faith with others. (Christ – Sanford)

• We did have 66 students in a special summer reading program at the school, First Smyrna Learning Center, which meets in our Education building. (First – New Smyrna Beach)

• Our Youth Group went on their 2nd annual summer retreat to Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons Island, Ga. this July along with the youth from Christ to the Nations. Of the 24 youths, 17 youth attend from ZUMC (just over a 40% increase from last summer). Besides the blessing of the youth increase and inquiry, they are also growing in expanding their understanding of God and cross cultural relationships. (Zellwood)

• Two weeks ago our church sent out 5 youth and 2 adults to serve others in Christ’s name to Shreveport, LA. Many of our youth were out talking with people in the neighborhood about their relationship with Christ and how everyone can have that same relationship and security in him. We saw many people accept Christ as their Lord and Savior for the first time and many people rededicated their lives to God after having a conversation with someone from our team. It was amazing to watch God work in and through each one of us who participated in this mission project. (Tomoka – Ormond Beach)

What a wonderful opportunity to see God’s presence, especially through our children and youth this summer! If you have a story to share – one that will be of God’s activity within your congregation – don’t hesitate to sent it my way!

The Healthy Church Initiative Team

Mrs. Kim Shockley, East Central District Office - Interim Chairperson [email Kim]
Ms. Ann Lee Earnshaw, St. Luke’s UMC, Windermere

Ms. Michelle Van Son, Winter Park

Rev. Wayne Williams, Aloma UMC, Winter Park
Mrs. Amelia Wines, Shingle Creek UMC, Kissimmee

What is a healthy, vital church?

It is a faith community dedicated to helping people meet, know and serve Jesus. It is a congregation that expresses care and compassion for both its members and its community. It has leaders that know, own and live out the clearly stated mission, vision and values of the church. It experiences numerical and spiritual growth. It has worship services that both inspire long-term members and are meaningful to first-time guests. It has a warm, welcoming environment and numerous opportunities for people to develop deep personal friendships. The ministry of the church leads to new people coming into a personal relationship with Jesus. It is both rooted in the historic theology of the Church and willing to try new ways to share the good news of Jesus with those not involved in a church.
 
What is a healthy, vital church? It is your church — or at least it can be! God calls every
church to be a healthy, vital church. Small, large or mid-size, every church can be filled
with spiritual energy and life. New or celebrating its 100th birthday, every church can reach new people with the life-changing message of Jesus. Rural, suburban or urban, every church can be filled with joy, hope and peace.

[Link to Church Transformation Survey Workbook]