Congregational Development
Congregational Development is a holistic approach to the development and growth of a congregations ministries, participation, and impact on its community and world. Merging the studies of missions, evangelism, leadership, discipleship, and organizational development, Congregational Development seeks to extend the Gospel of Christ by supporting the work of congregations of Christians in their core tasks of making more and better disciples and having a greater and deeper impact on the world.
For information on the 2012 School of Congregational Development, visit the SOCD homepage at www.newenglandschool.org. Early registration begins in June.
A New Church Planter Training and Support Initiative for the Northeastern Jurisdiction
The Northeastern United States is about to experience a wave of new United Methodist churches – the most new faith communities that this region has seen planted in more than a century! It is a wondrous and amazing time! Conferences that planted only a few new faith communities in a decade are thinking about planting up to ten in a single year!
And yet, the NEJ is different territory from other parts of the United States. The Path 1 Team of The United Methodist Church has heard the people of the Northeast say clearly, “It is a different game up here! We cannot use planting models based in suburban communities in the South and Midwest and expect them to work here.”So... Path 1 and the congregational developers of the NEJ introduce LAUNCHPAD as a response to the unique challenge of planting new churches in the Northeast! This three day event will be held August 10-12, 2012, the first two days at First UMC in Stafford Springs, CT and the third day in the field. Registration details coming soon!
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2012 Congregational Development and Urban Ministry Grants
Please click to the Congregational Development News page to access information and nomination packets for the Together for Tomorrow and Urban Ministry Grants awarded by Congregational Development. APPLICATION DEADLINE is May 15, 2012 for these grants.
Hebrews 11 Grants
Hebrews 11 grant requests are being accepted by the Office of Congregational Development for significant development of new congregations and/or revitalization of existing United Methodist congregations. Priority will be given to new or existing congregations that serve a geographic region where a church has been closed or will reach other underserved population groups. Requests are accepted year-round. Click here for application instructions.
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Get started learning and connecting!
You will find much of the information, materials and resources you need right here on the site! Just click on one of the links to the left to learn more about how the Office of Congregational Development can help you and your church.
What we do
The work of Congregational Development is organized into three areas, depending on the lifecycle of the congregation. Local congregations were not created to last forever, and they move through regular cycles of growth, leveling off, decline, and revitalization. The work of Congregational Development is divided into three areas: starting new churches, supporting and revitalizing existing churches, and shepherding churches in decline and crisis.
Resources for congregational development
The work of developing congregations is supported in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church through five areas of resourcing:
1. District Superintendents
District Superintendents can be a fount of helpful advice and guidance, and their support and permission is necessary for most development activities. Keep them up to speed through regular and helpful communication, and involve them in praying for the work of your church.
Visit www.neumc.org/districts to find your District Superintendent.
2. Conference and District Congregational Development Teams
Our connectional structure has teams of people prepared to resource local churches in their work. These teams on the Conference level include:
New Church Starts Committee
Local Church Transformation Team
Town & Country Committee (Small and Rural Churches)
Urban Ministries Committee
District Congregational Development Ministry Area Teams
3. Office of Congregational Development
This office is basically the work of our Director of Congregational Development, Rick McKinley. He is committed to spending at least 1/2 of his time working directly with local churches, so feel free to call him out when you think he can be useful. Rick is also available for conversation about congregations, leadership or organizational questions:
Rick's blog: scituatedrev.blogspot.com
4. Parish Consultant Network
The Parish Consultant Network provides an independent pool of experienced consultants to local, district and regional church bodies. This group has been a primary resource for congregational development for many years, and they continue to play a critical role in developing our churches. Contact Evelyn Johnson Moore, the coordinator, to begin an assessment and work process with our consultants.
5. Denominational, Connectional and General Board Resources
Many denominational resources are available to support local churches. You can find many of the United Methodist resources online at:
Path 1 Center for New Churches - www.path1.org
The General Board of Global Ministries - www.gbgm-umc.org
The Genral Board of Discipleship - www.gbod.org
Rethink Church - Rethinkchurch.org
The General Board of Global Ministries - www.gbgm-umc.org
The Genral Board of Discipleship - www.gbod.org
Rethink Church - Rethinkchurch.org
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congregational development office 978-682-8055 ext 210 rickm@neumc.org
congregational development office 978-682-8055 ext 210 rickm@neumc.org