A good cross-section of 20 congregation members and staff/pastors met to review the work done by the November retreat session and then forge ahead with developing prioritized new ministries for the next two to three (2-3) years. We agreed that:
  • Some of the new ministries that did not make the priorities list might “bubble up” as the Sprit energizes someone with that ministry
  • Some of the ministries on the prioritized list may not actually be put in motion as the Spirit breathes life among us
  • That each ministry proposal would be assigned to a staff person(s) with the understanding that the staff is not charged with “doing” the ministry but with resourcing those in the congregation who are called to that ministry
  • That the work of this group can “inform” the long range vision task force that will be started within Church Council
  • That most of these ministries, while they are “categorized” under one of the traditional ministry areas of Worship, Witness, Outreach and Nurture, will clearly involve aspects from all four areas. For example, the group prioritized Jackson Via under Outreach, but recognized that this new relationship will also include aspects of Nurture, Witness and Worship.
Outreach (Evelyn Jones)
  • Expand loaves and fishes
  • Haiti (a deeper, long-term relationship)
  • Backyard ministries (envisioned also as a Family Ministry)
  • Coordinator of Outreach Ministry position to be added to FUMC staff
  • Jackson Via initiative (with Hispanic Ministry)

Others receiving votes:

  • FUMC Building a Habitat for Humanity house
  • Partnership with Evergreen Ministries (to be included in the Jackson Via Initiative
Nurture (Don and Pat MacNicoll )
  • Social gatherings/retreats (includes Emmaus, couples, etc)
  • Leadership Development (emphasis from Bill Hall as Chair, Church Council)
  • College Ministry
  • Revitalize small groups
  • Enhanced visitation to shut ins

Others receiving votes:

  • Families in ministry together
  • Church “Craigslist”
  • Congregational health assessment
  • Mentoring
  • Trips
Worship (Andy Shelden and Pastors)
  • Children’s and Youth choirs
  • Ecumenical events
  • Pulpit exchanges
  • Regional choir festival
  • Musical presentations
  • The arts (includes specific new art projects as well as arts in worship)
  • Compound musical events/presentations
Witness (Pastors)
  • Establishing a new faith community
  • Bus ministry (note: this one appeared in many places)
  • Quarterly community witness events (such as Fireproof)
  • Ecumenical choir/pulpit exchanges