Download Arkansas Annual Conference Central District Mission Plan

Arkansas Annual Conference
Central District Mission Plan
Reverend Richard Lancaster,
District Superintendent
January 13, 2015
Statement of Purpose
The district mission plan is a statement of intent and a commitment to action
as we seek to fulfill our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ
equipped to transform the world with excellence and passion.
The mission plan of the Central District is aligned with the Bishop’s Mission Plan
and articulates clear outcomes and measurable progress toward
creating vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ,
who make disciples equipped to transform lives, communities, and the world
in the unique context of the Central District Mission Field.
Work of the District Superintendent
The District Superintendent serves as the chief mission strategist for the district.
Primary responsibilities are the supervision and appointment of clergy to the mission field,
the alignment of conference, district and local church mission plans,
and resourcing local churches to meet measurable outcomes which point toward
vital congregations making disciples of Jesus Christ.
I.
Four Key Questions
A. What are the opportunities in the mission field?
1. Large churches in growing or stable mission fields with a strong partnership
of clergy and lay leadership positioned to grow.
2. Medium sized churches located in growing or stable mission fields which can
grow with a strong mix of clergy and lay leadership.
3. County seat churches with potential to represent and grow the mainline with
the right mix of clergy and lay leadership.
4. Population density and desire for strong African American churches in the
Little Rock/North Little Rock metro area.
5. Pockets of young adults centered near colleges and universities where
significant outreach and conversion is possible.
6. Strong youth leadership at district and conference levels which can be
leveraged to raise up a new generation of clergy and lay leaders.
7. Resources of the community to meet the needs of the mission fields of the
Central District.
B. Where is there readiness in the clergy and congregations?
1. Clergy of southwest Little Rock desire to reach Hispanic population in their
mission fields and address violence and poverty of the area.
2. Momentum of growing partnership of urban and suburban congregations in
Little Rock to significantly impact homelessness in downtown Little Rock.
Conversations are beginning around making Canvas Community a mission campus
of several larger covenant churches in LR/NLR area.
3. Desire of Saline County pastors and laity to address growing mission fields in
Bauxite and Haskell areas.
a.
Conversations are beginning with Rev. Steve Dickerson, circuit elder.
4. Growing momentum for a University Parish in Midtowne Little Rock.
a.
St. Luke, Oak Forest, Geyer Springs, UALR Wesley Foundation are exploring use of
Student Interns through the W4 program (Natasha Norman)
5. Desire to build ministry partnership in Conway to evangelize young adults,
particularly on the college campuses of UCA and Hendrix. Grace Church Conway
began new worship aimed at college age. 30 average attendance.
6. Desire to reorganize District Youth ministries to involve more students and
adults in leadership training.
7. Desire for exploration of mission field around Morrilton
8. Utilize the work of the Teaching Parish
C. What are your outcomes for the next 4 years for your district?
1. Congregations in the Central District will experience spiritual revival.
2. Pastors will be deployed to mission fields instead of “being promoted” to the
larger churches of the district or located in the district for convenience sake.
3. Local churches will meet the minimum goal of 4X 1: at least one profession
of faith, add at least one person in worship, create at least one new small
group opportunity, and initiate at least one new ministry that reaches into
the mission field each year. Promote in District training, with circuit elders, clergy
retreat. Follow up call from District (Circuit Elders) with interim report by Annual
Conference. Year End celebration involving all churches for celebration in early November.
4. Pastors will become more proficient in leadership that creates vital
congregations which are culturally competent to meet the diverse contexts
of their mission fields.
5. Laity will be informed and equipped for ministries which reflect the four core
measures.
6. At least one new African American church will be constituted.
7. We will engage in bold experiments to reach the “nones”, particularly young
adults ages 19-35.
8. We will intentionally develop and mentor young clergy for large church
leadership.
D. How will you tell the story and communicate its purpose?
1. We will align our work with the vision, mission, core measures, and trajectory of
the Arkansas Annual Conference.
2. We will launch a district page linked to the conference website, use Facebook
more effectively and explore other means of social media with assistance from
the Center for Technology.
3. We will encourage churches, clergy and laity to use the Network.
4. The District Superintendent will have a presence online through Facebook,
Network postings, and other social media venues.
5. Circuit Elders will be informed and deployed to communicate and promote the
District Ministry Plan.
6. The District Strategy Team will be trained and deployed to communicate the
District Ministry Plan and our effectiveness in reaching outcomes.
II.
Expected Outcomes Aligned with Bishop’s Mission Plan (BMP)
A. Churches, Laity and Pastors of the Central District will experience spiritual revival.
(BMP 1)
1. Action Steps:
a. Pray for revival.
b. Continue to define “revival” in our Southern context.
c. Hold pastors accountable for dashboard reports.
d. Look for narrative reports of revival in dashboard and conversation.
e. Communicate and celebrate revival.
2. Metrics:
a. Identify churches which meet the minimum expectation of 4 X 1 (BMP
6). Report these regularly.
b. Weekly submission of narrative stories to district web page and
Facebook.
c. Clear communication loop Network and ARUM newspaper.
B. Vital Congregations of all sizes will be laboratories and models of effective
ministry. (BMP 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
1. Steps:
a. Rewrite Mission Grant guidelines to prioritize and encourage
experimentation in the mission field and with the “nones”.
b. Communicate expectation of experimentation and reward effort with
praise and recognition.
c. Focus on peer learning and mentoring in district training events.
d. Encourage all churches to engage a congregational coach.
2. Metrics:
a. Identify churches and praise churches who meet the minimum
standards of 4 X 1.
b. Include questions of experimentation in charge conference and
assessment reports.
c. Create feedback loop for churches engaged with a coach.
d. Communicate examples of experiments and encourage collaboration
and contact.
C. Pastors will be deployed to mission fields to lead congregations in ministry
(BMP 3, 4).
1. Steps:
a. The Appointive Cabinet will continue to refine the appointment
process using instruments of pastoral assessment and profiling as well
as prayer and discernment.
b. The Appointive Cabinet will continue to refine the appointment
process using instruments of congregational profiling as well as
prayer and discernment.
c. The Appointive Cabinet and Center of Excellence will develop better
communication models for assessing and profiling pastors and
congregations.
d. The Appointive Cabinet will remember that the client is the mission
field and the purpose is making disciples.
e. The Appointive Cabinet will develop a definition and evaluative tool
for “Mission Field Appointments.”
2. Metrics:
a. The Appointive Cabinet will count the number of appointments that
are “mission field” appointments and work to increase this each year.
b. Charge Conference and Assessment reports will include mission field
data determined by 1.e. above.
c. The Appointive Cabinet will study the data to determine trends of
tenure, mission field engagement and dashboard data in a continual cycle
of evaluation.
D. Congregations in the Central District will become increasingly diverse in age,
ethnicity, educational level and socio-economic status (BMP 5,6, 9,10)
1. Action:
a. Every congregation will be asked to define their mission field (2014-2015)
b. Every congregation will be expected to have a local church mission plan
which aligns with the Bishop’s Mission Plan and the District Mission Plan.
(2014-2016)
c. Every congregation will report on progress on their ministry plan each
year at Charge Conference. The reports will be developed by the
Appointive Cabinet. (2014- 2018)
d. The Central District will teach/train clergy and laity in cultural awareness
and sensitivity.
e. The Central District will rewrite Mission Grant guidelines to encourage
experimentation and new ministries that reach the mission field.
f. The Central District will engage with appropriate general agencies for
training, support, funding and monitoring. (SBC21, Korean Church,
Hispanic Ministries, Young Adult Ministries, GBOGM- Engaging the Poor)
2. Metrics:
a. Dashboard data will be monitored for growth.
b. Statistical reports of ethnic diversity will be monitored.
c. The District Superintendent and District Strategy team will report on
resources deployed to increase diversity in local congregations.
d. Narrative reports will be encouraged and communicated across the
district for inspiration, mentoring and teaching purposes.
E. Congregations of the Central District will show growth through 4 X 1. (BMP 6.)
1. Action:
a. Clergy will be held accountable for entering Dashboard reports.
b. The Bishop’s Ministry Plan, especially items 5 and 6 will be
communicated and reflected in the Local Church Mission Plan.
c. Dashboard reports will be discussed in Charge Conference, assessment
and consultation conversations with pastors and local church leaders.
d. Increases will be celebrated and communicated.
2. Metrics:
a. Dashboard will be monitored and contacts by DS made to churches as
improvements are noted.
b. Churches will be encouraged to share how and what led to increases.
F. Laity and Clergy will work in collaboration to reach the mission field and make
disciples (BMP 7, 8).
1. Action:
a. DS will work with Center of Excellence to design a “team building”
module.
b. District Training will encourage a team approach.
c. A District Strategy Team will be formed in 2014 to support and improve
the work of the DS as District Mission Strategist.
d. Laity and Clergy will be recognized for effective ministry.
e. Whenever possible, laity and clergy will be paired together in leadership
roles.
2. Metrics:
a. Follow data on Dashboard. Collect data on who and how of notable
increases and decreases.
b. Communicate narratives of collaborative ministry.
G. The Central District will record a 25% increase in attendance of African Americans
by the year 2018 (BMP 5, 9, 10).
1. Actions:
a. The DS, pastors and laity of African American Congregations will
engage in growth and revitalization efforts through Crossing Jordan,
SBC21, Small Church Academy, and P213.
b. African American churches will be prioritized for Equitable
Compensation resources when the congregation articulates a ministry
plan and is willing work with a congregational coach.
c. The DS will work with the Center for Excellence to recruit qualified lay
coaches for African American congregations.
d. The DS will work with new church start staff to identify places of
readiness and personnel to plant new ministries aimed at African
Americans.
e. The DS will work closely with African American clergy and laity to
facilitate reconciliation and mutual trust for the sake of the mission of
the church.
2. Metrics:
a. One new ministry will be initiated in 2014 to reach African Americans.
b. All African American Churches will report on the Dashboard.
c. Participation of and representation of African American leaders will
be monitored in 2014-16 for improved representation and leadership
opportunities.
d. Narratives of effectiveness will be communicated and celebrated.
H. Churches will engage in bold experiments to reach the “nones” (BMP 10).
1. Action:
a. District Mission Grants will be awarded to bold new initiatives first.
b. District Mission Grant proposals will be published and results
reported.
c. The “nones” will be addressed in every district training event offered
to clergy and laity.
d. The District Strategy Team will engage with campus ministries and
develop initiatives aimed at young adults.
e. Young Adults, new Christians, and reinstated members will be
considered for leadership positions within the district.
f. Initiative will be recognized and honored.
g. Every church will be asked to consider the “nones” in their ministry
plan.
2. Metrics:
a. Churches will be asked identify age groups reflected in count of
Professions of Faith.
b. Narratives of reaching the “nones” will be celebrated and
communicated.
I. We will recruit gifted young clergy and laity for leadership.
1. Actions:
a. The DS will work with DCYM and CCYM leadership to identify gifted
young leaders.
b. DCYM will be restructured under new leadership in 2014.
c. The District Strategy Team will work with Campus Ministries to identify
and mentor gifted young leaders and create initiatives aimed at young
adults.
d. Younger leaders will be recruited and equipped for district and
conference leadership.
e. The DS will work with the BOM to develop mentoring for high school
students who have identified a call to representative ministry but cannot
yet enter the candidacy process.
f. The DS will closely supervise young clergy in the district in a peer
leadership group.
2. Metrics:
a. Participation will increase in DCYM and CCYM events.
b. Metrics will be monitored and analyzed for increases in participation by
youth and young adults.
III.
IV.
c. Narratives of youth and young adult disciples will be celebrated and
communicated.
Strategic Work for January-June 2015
A. Develop Consortium of large churches to develop Canvas Community as a joint
mission campus of these churches.
A. Recruit, equip and deploy a District Strategy Team
B. Improve relationships with African American churches and clergy.
C. Reorganize the DCYM under new leadership.
D. Initiate intensive supervisory work with three groups of critical needs/strategic
churches: 1. County Seat Churches (CE led)-- Carlisle FUMC, DesArc FUMC, Hazen
FUMC, Lonoke FUMC, Perryville FUMC, Greenbrier FUMC, Morrilton FUMC 2.
Suburban Mid-Sized Churches (200-500 DS led) – Highland Valley UMC, Bryant
FUMC, Conway Grace-UMC, Jacksonville FUMC, NLR FUMC 3. Turnaround
Churches (DS Led)—St. Paul-LR, Henderson UMC, Quapaw Quarter UMC, Hunter
UMC, Levy UMC, Winfield UMC, Salem-Conway, St. Paul Maumelle.
E. Form peer/mentor group of young clergy (under 40).
F. Deploy effective leadership to underperforming strategic churches: GraceConway, Hunter UMC, Jacksonville FUMC, North Little Rock FUMC, St Paul-LR,
Winfield UMC
G. Deploy effective leadership to unique and challenging mission fields/churches:
Oak Forest, Henderson St. Paul Maumelle
H. Rewrite District Mission Grant Guidelines
I. Hire consultant through UMFA for Homeless Ministry
J. Coach Hoover in preparation of a strategic ministry plan
K. Address White Memorial, Ebenezer-Conway, and Sweet Home through Crossing
Jordan Process.
L. Outline key work for July-December by May 1.
IV. Demographic Overview
A. 101 constituted churches; 3 new church starts
1. Two churches were closed in 2013- FaithSpring and Providence
2. Grace-East End chartered in November 2013
3. Christ Church-Cabot, canvascommunity, and Argenta remain as
new church starts.
B. Membership: 130,933 in all churches
1. Ethnic Distribution: 125,619 White, 3286 African American, 476 Hispanic, 206
Native American, 403 Asian, 374 Multi-racial, 26 Pacific Islander
2. 6971 Youth are involved in small group ministry
3. 3676 young adults are involved in small group ministry
C. Worship Attendance: 49,139 total average attendance (16% of membership)
D. Churches by Worship Attendance
500+
5
200-499
12
100-199
15
Under 100
69
E. Population will show moderate increase over the next 5 years from 723,835 to
768,690 (6.2%). By 2023 population is projected to be 818,580 (+6.495).
1. African Americans comprise 22% (158,546) of the mission field. This
percentage will remain relatively stable, even decreasing slightly by 2023.
2. Population growth will slow and decline in Saline County (Benton and Bryant
-5%), Little Rock/North Little Rock (-5%-- 1000), and Prairie County (-5%-1000)
3. Significant growth will occur in Lonoke County (9%- 7000 people)
4. The median age of the population will rise from 35 to 37; however this is
younger than the state of Arkansas.
F. While population will decrease overall, there will be an increase in the number of
families with children across the district.
G. The Education level and income level is higher than the rest of the state in most
areas of the district; however there are pockets of poverty in southwest Little
Rock, Perry, Saline and Conway counties which must be addressed.
H. Overall the earning potential of African Americans is lower than all other ethnic
groups.
I. Not noted on the demographic report is the ending of desegregation oversight for
public schools in Pulaski County. This could positively impact Little Rock, North
Little Rock, and Jacksonville and negatively impact Benton, Bryant, Cabot and
Lonoke over the next decade.