Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church

UMOI Homepage
Conference News
  United Methodist Online
 

Newsletter Archives

Strategic Direction
2008 Annual Conference
  Mission Project
2008 Jurisdictional and General Conferences
Connectional Ministries
  Nurture
 

Stewardship

  Outreach
 

Amigas del Senor

 

UMVIM

  Witness
 

Peace with Justice

  Campus Ministry
  Youth Ministries
Districts
  Central District
  Eastern District
  Metropolitan District
  Southern District
  Western District
 

WDCES

Finance & Administration
  2008 Apport. Reports
  2008 Bits & Bytes
  Finance & Administration Forms
  2007 Church Conf. Forms
  Financial Reports
Leadership
  Bishop Hoshibata
 

Bishop's Initiative to Eliminate Hunger

 

Bishop's Blog

 

Cabinet Connection

 

E-lumination

 

Videos

  Clergy
 

BOM

 

Order of Deacons

 

E-Vine

  CLT
 

CLT Minutes

  United Methodist Women

Eliminate Hunger
Eliminate Hunger
Got Faith Questions?
Camp & Retreat Ministries
Conference Directory
The Journal
Media Center
Reference Library
Strategic Directions






Hosted by Easystreet

Eastern District

Calendar | Contact

Districts : Eastern District

Vision Pathways: Developing New Faith Communities


By Robert L. Flaherty
Dec 15, 2007, 15:06

Email this article
 Printer friendly page

The Council of Bishops has identified seven potential pathways for transformation of the church (see side bar).  The pathways are intended to help all of us at every level of the church focus our attention at every level of the church from local congregations to general church on the important emphases on the way to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

            I believe every congregation can start a new faith community.  By “faith community” I am not necessarily talking about a church, although churches certainly are faith communities.  Faith communities have two parts to them:  a system for making disciples and opportunities for worship.  I believe churches can start groups within and outside that include people who are new to the church. 

 

These groups can have the focus of making disciples.  They may be Bible study groups, discussion groups, prayer groups, service groups.  Members can be invited to worship with the existing congregation. 

 

            There are many models to form new groups.  They have one thing in common; people who have the vision to see the formation of a new group and who have the energy to invite people to help them bring the vision into reality.  I’m looking for people around the district who have both the vision and energy to birth new faith communities.  I’m looking to the pastors of district churches, but not limiting my view to them.  Often the most effective leaders are Spirit-energized lay persons.  Further, I encourage each church in our district to raise the question in their planning for ministry of the next year:  Is Christ calling us to start a new a faith community?

 

Grace and Peace!


Top of Page


Links
Search for
phone 503.226.7931 | toll-free 800.593.7539 | fax 503.226.4158
1505 SW 18th Ave. | Portland, OR 97201-2599
© Copyright 2000-2005

Eastern District
Latest Headlines
Council of Bishops' Seven Vision Pathways
Vision Pathways: Strengthening Clergy and Lay Spiritual Leadership
Vision Pathways: Teaching the Wesleyan Model
The Cabinet Takes a Three Day Look at the Migrant Highway
Vision Pathways: Transforming Existing Congregations
Vision Pathways: Developing New Faith Communities
I Remember 9/11/01