Leadership & Learning

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.
 
Exciting News regarding TFT and Urban Grants!
The Office of Congregational Development is excited to announce the recipients of this year's Together for Tomorrow and Urban Ministry Grants. We received nearly $250,000 of grant requests, but with just under $90,000 available to award, some difficult choices had to made. We pray God's blessing on these ministry projects and look forward to sharing stories of God's transforming power from each of these projects.
 
Together for Tomorrow Grant Recipients
  • First UMC, Amesbury, MA
  • First United Parish, Everett, MA
  • St. Andrews UMC, Jamaica Plain, MA
  • First UMC, Brewer, ME
  • Stafford Springs UMC, Stafford Springs, CT
  • The Vine, Haverhill, MA
  • Carter Memorial UMC, Needham, MA
  • Open Table of Christ, Providence, RI
  • Good Shepherd UMC, Malden, MA
  • The River, Woonsocket, RI
Urban Ministry Grant Recipients
  • Safe Harbor Drop-In Center, Bangor, ME
  • Brockton Afterschool Program, Brockton, MA
  • First United Parish, Everett, MA
  • Christ UMC, Lawrence, MA
  • Mathewson St. UMC, Providence, RI
  • First UMC, Pittsfield, MA
  • Nueva Vida UMC, Chelsea, MA
  • St. Andrews UMC, Jamaica Plain, MA
  • Christ Center (new start), Lynn, MA
  • Buck City Krump, Brockton, MA
 
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 accepted year-round. Click here for application instructions.
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 McKinley
Director of Congregational Development
978-682-7676 ext. 210 
rickm@neumc.org 
 
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.
 
Evelyn Johnson Moore
Parish Consultant Coordinator
207-467-3120
ejohnsonmoore@gmail.com
 
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  
 
 
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congregational development office      978-682-8055 ext 210      rickm@neumc.org