By: Linda Louderback On 10/31/2011
Recently I read the Message Bible’s interpretation of the great commission found at the end of Matthew 28. The words there are clear and suggests that each of us is to, “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the three-fold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I will be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” That is the basis for the invitation to all United Methodist Churches to work on increasing vitality and fruitfulness in each congregation.
This past month more than 1,000 individuals from more than 300 churches gathered across Kansas for the Vital Congregations training events. I am sure that many came because the district superintendent asked them to come. But I want to believe that most came because there is a genuine desire to continue to grow into the church that God calls us to be--a church that baptizes, preaches, teaches, practices and shares the Word in our communities so much in need of hearing and experiencing it.
I have already heard renewed enthusiasm for the God’s mission for the church. Questions are being asked: Why does our church exist? What is God calling us to do in this time and in this place? Who would miss us if we weren’t here? Holy conferencing is happening where church folks are asking the deeper questions. It is not about just keeping our doors open or doing business as usual. God calls us to more!
The Vital Congregations planning guide was rewritten with Kansans in mind. Engaging in Bible study, intentionally finding out who is and is not in our neighborhoods and developing strategies and goals for ministry are all a part of the process that leads to vitality. We know that churches in Kansas are in various stages of vitality and we also know that there is always room for growth. I have heard more than once that this is just another program being handed down to local churches and it too will go away before long. Becoming the vital church that God wants, needs and calls us to be will never go away. This is not a program but a process for becoming fruitful in the body of Christ.
The other thing I have heard is that it is all about the numbers! Bishop Jones, your D.S., the conference staff and lay leadership of the conference are most interested in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We want to hear your stories of setting goals and reaching them for Christ. We want to hear your challenges and stand ready to help out where we can. Conference staff and committees will be working on ways to support local church leadership as they seek to make disciples. The vital signs (numbers) for each local congregation will be collected weekly in many cases and those numbers will serve as a tool to measurement of how goals are being met. There are churches already entering their numbers and also the stories behind those numbers. The stories report of wonderful ministry taking place across Kansas. There are holy conversations resulting in far reaching ministries emerging in congregations across Kansas.
God continues to work through each of us and collectively through our local congregations. Kansas United Methodists join with United Methodists around the world as together we join hands and hearts in making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Thank you for becoming a part of the movement!
Shalom, Linda