June 2009

I. Begin with what we believe God is telling us to do. What does the Bible say to us? Have members of the Council state what they believe God is saying to Rose Hill United Methodist Church

A.Preach and teach the Gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19-20) B. Feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35) C. Teach the children (Matthew 28:19-20) D. Care for the children (Matthew 10:42, 19:13-15)

E. Reach out to strangers, especially those not like ourselves (Matthew 25:38, Romans 12:13) F. Care for the homeless (Matthew 25:36) G. Care for the sick, including those with addictions (Matthew 25:39) H. Bring our tithes to the storehouse of God (Malachi 3:10)

II. Look at the community. What are its needs? A. Ministry with growing Hispanic population B. Something for youth to do C. Something for young adults to do D. Supportive ministry for those struggling with addictions

III.Look at our congregation. What are our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis)?

IV. What is our denominational emphasis? A.Seven Pathways 1. Teaching the Wesleyan Model of reaching and forming disciples of Christ.

2. Strengthening the clergy/ lay leadership 3. Developing new congregations. 4. Transforming existing congregations.

5. Ending racism and authentically expanding racial and ethnic ministries 6. Reaching and transforming the lives of new generations of children 7. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor

5. Ending racism and authentically expanding racial and ethnic ministries 6. Reaching and transforming the lives of new generations of children 7. Eliminating poverty in community with the poor

B. Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations 1. Radical Hospitality 2. Passionate Worship 3. Intentional Spiritual Formation

4. Risk-Taking Mission 5. Extravagant Generosity

IV. What should be our resulting ministry goals (3-5)? A.Simple B.Achievable C.Measureable

VI.Develop Goals A.Make our Hospitality more effective (St. Matthew 10:40) 1. Visit first-time guests within 48 hours of their visit 2. Offer first-time visitors a visitor’s information card

3. Do all that we possibly can to make all persons feel welcome

B.Develop a plan for Reaching New Disciples for Jesus Christ (St. Matthew 28:19) 1. Lead persons to make a faith commitment to Jesus Christ 2. Have a Confirmation Class for youth

3. Teach persons to live like Jesus 4. Equip persons to serve like Jesus (St. Mark 10:43-45)

C. Equip all lay persons for ministry (Ephesians 4:11) 1. Have Bible Study on Spiritual Gifts 2. Train persons to be empowered for leadership

3. Assign laity to serve according to gifts and training

D. Equip members to be good stewards (St. Matthew 25:21) 1. Teach Christian Financial Management 2. Teach Biblical principles of tithing and giving 3. Train members to give through planned gifts and bequests

E. Develop effective communication with members (Romans 10: 14) 1. Update and enhance web- site and web management 2. Install automated call system 3. Utilize ability to have mass

VII. Assign Responsibility (Each Goal and Strategy is assigned to one or more members of the congregation)

VIII. Get congregational buy-in A. Shared Goals with congregation at Annual Charge Conference which was held as a Church Conference. In utilizing this strategy all of the members of the congregation actually voted on the Goals

B. Gave a printed copy of the Goals to each member of the congregation

IX. Work and Pray and Celebrate A. Church Council Chair utilizes Goals as the basis for developing the Agenda for the Church Council. Those responsible for Goals report on status of respective Goals. Goals are continually being evaluated and revised as the result of prayerful discernment, changing environment, and emerging needs.

B. Church Council prays for the completion of the Goals C. Church Council celebrates achieved Goals