Episcopal Invitation Gathering Missional Church Consultation Initiative

Welcome and Introduction

Too often, transformation work has been a solo journey…

…or at best partnered with a colleague, or maybe a cluster

“Follow Me…” —Jesus

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan 1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 saying: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." 5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan 14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing…

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

“So others can follow after….”

YOU We are praying that you will become one of our Dakotas Conference’s trailblazing congregations!

Why were you chosen to become one of our trail-blazing congregations?

Missional Church Consultation Initiative Partnering to start new life cycles at all levels of our local churches…..

Where’s your church on the life cycle? Birth Growth Maintenance Maturity Decline Death

One potential role of the MCCI: help jumpstart a new lifecycle on the “up” side

Another potential role of the MCCI: help jumpstart a new lifecycle on the “down” side

The MCCI: Step By Step 1. Attend Episcopal Invitation Gathering 2. Receive information to take to church leadership for prayer and discernment. Church Council or board votes on invitation 3. Respond by Friday, December 12, 2014 with decision

If the answer is YES: 4. If yes—Pastor and chair of church council signs MCCI covenant on behalf of congregation. 5. Pastor’s “coachability” interview/ profile with MCCI team 6. Pastor and 5 unpaid leaders attend Breakthrough Prayer Initiative training in January 2015

YES 7. Church launches Breakthrough Prayer Initiative (after training) 8. Pastor starts monthly all-day consultation pastors coaching cluster (February 2015) 9. Church schedules “Resource Refocusing” evening event

YES 10. Church begins to prepare comprehensive “self-study” (completed by 2 weeks prior to MCCI weekend) 11. Churches schedule their MCCI weekend according to congregational readiness 12. “Undercover Worshipers” begin attending each church

YES 13. MCCI Weekend (Friday through Sunday noon), culminating in consultation report with up to five unique prescriptions presented to the congregation during worship 14. Congregation has 30 days for Town Hall meetings to discuss MCCI report/prescriptions

YES 15. District Superintendent convenes a Church Conference meeting, at which official church members present may vote.  If vote is 70% or better, MCCI report/ prescriptions are accepted.

YES 16. Senior pastor and unpaid leadership are surrounded by “prescription coaches” (ministry leaders who have successfully led the same thing in his/her own setting) who provide wisdom and guidance to implement prescriptions over the next 2 to 3 years

YES 17. Senior pastor is coached/ guided by MCCI leadership, and remains in the MCCI pastor coaching cluster for continuing training and accountability.

YES 18. MCCI churches track fruitfulness measures according to Dakotas Conference procedures. 19.  A new life cycle has begun!

First UMC, Milford, Ohio – Rev. Clark Hess Breakthrough Video Story from 2013 MCCI Church

Video of First UMC Milford, Ohio and the MCCI process (video story on the MCCI DVD)

MCCI - Conference’s Commitment Required books, training materials, meals that are part of the monthly MCCI pastors training. Mystery worshipers sent to your church –“thank you” check.

MCCI - Conference’s Commitment Weekend MCCI Consultation— all food/ lodging / mileage costs of your consultation team. Administrative costs associated with the support/ deployment of the pastor and church’s participation, such as any prescription coaching required as part of the church prescriptions.

MCCI - Your Church’s Commitment Costs for hospitality you may provide for your leaders or congregation during your MCCI weekend.

MCCI – Your Church’s Commitment Costs for accomplishing your church’s prescriptions – that may include: - Pastor (and/or leaders) mileage to/from MCCI trainings or events held off your own church property, as well as - any travel/ food/ supply costs associated with accomplishing your prescriptions; - anything associated with your unique prescriptions - from building improvements, staffing additions, signage, to materials for study groups, etc.

MCCI - Your Next Steps… 1. Return home & share this possibility with your church leadership 2. Begin a prayer & discernment process

MCCI - Your Next Steps… 3. Pastor leads a vote of your church council or board regarding participation 4. Reply by or before Friday, December 12, 2014 – and return signed covenant if participating. 5. Attend the January 2015 Breakthrough Prayer Training event (senior pastor with 5 unpaid leaders)

Episcopal Invitation Gathering Missional Church Consultation Initiative