Where is God pointing us?

A report from the Fruitful Congregations Journey Team

On February 8 several members of the FCJ team were present for a monthly "shared learning experience" in Seymour, IN. We had several very fruitful and thoughtful conversations about the life cycle of a church, where we are, and where God would like us to go. We would like to take this opportunity to share some group "Ah Ha" moments with you.

Church leaders have established that church congregations move through life cycle stages just as people do. Each stage differs by the congregation's emphasis on certain components. These components can be many different things, but some that we discussed this month were Relationships, Programs, and Structure. These are a part of a forth component - the Vision of a church.

After almost two hundred years here serving the community of Bloomington, there is no doubt that we have established deeply rooted relationships not only within our own members but with others in the community. We have fostered and driven many wonderful programs where God is using us to reach out. These include but are not limited to successful programs like the Open Door, Jubilee, children ministries, small groups and the Interfaith Winter shelter. And with the exciting opportunities placed before us with the columbarium project, the "wet" renovation, and the now useful south lot, there can be no doubt that our structure here in the heart of downtown will move with us into the bright future of the church.

But next question we want to answer is, where is God pointing us to go? What is His Vision for us for that bright future?

We see this coming year as a pivotal turning point, a significant moment in the life of our church - like a bright light burning before us glowing in all directions. And we are fed by an urgency to harness that light today and point it toward a Vision for tomorrow that God has called for us to follow. Without a clear Vision, all established Relationships, blossoming Programs and new Structures of a church stumble blindly in different directions. It is time for us to begin listening for where God wants us to go, and as a congregation we can walk toward that Vision together.

In order to do this, FUMCB will need to re-visit its core values. Strong congregational values guide and direct our Relationships, Programs, and Structure and really show the character of who we are. These core values will give us a starting point for a Christ-centered Vision.

The United Methodist mission is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." What will that look like for FUMCB?  

Where do our congregation's strengths, the needs and dreams of our community, and the call/commands of God intersect?  

Once we identify how we will make disciples and serve the community, what will the core values be that guide how we do what we do for God and others? What are the values you see in our congregation today, and what do you believe God wants our core values to be in the future?   How will we work with each other, how will we make decisions about mission and resources, etc.?

Please pray for the FCJ team as we continue to meet and discuss the bright and exciting future of FUMC and hold God's Vision for our congregation in our minds and hearts.

This month's meeting was based on a book entitled Taking your Church to The Next Level by Gary L. McIntosh. Next month we will be discussing topics associated with the book Simple Church by T.S. Rainer and E. Geiger. We invite you to grow, ponder and listen while reading along with us!

- With Bright Hope, The FCJ team

WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS

Jesus was a carpenter's son so it isn't surprising to hear him, in Matthew 7:24, using a construction metaphor to talk about the wisdom of living out the truth he has taught us.

The story has to do with flooding -which caught my attention as I thought about the conversations in our Trustee and Building Committee meetings this week. We were talking about -among other topics- water damage in our basement, the recent flood in the Great Hall, and the current leak from the sides and center of the Chapel ceiling. We joked about doing baptisms by immersion throughout the building, or handing out water wings to the members of our Chancel Choir.

You know the story Jesus tells. Jesus says a wise person builds their house on a rock. When the rains come the foundation doesn't give way, it holds, because it is built on rock. (The rock is faith that Jesus is the grace and truth of God in the flesh.) People who receive truth and don't live it out, Jesus says, are like someone building their house on sand. When the rain comes, the house built on sand falls.

The leaders of our church (Trustees and the Building Committee) have made some decisions this week that could have a major impact on the future of our church. As we wrap up the completion of the courtyard project (June 1st is our hoped for completion date), after a 15-year delay, and as we make plans to recover from the damage caused by frozen pipes, our leaders have voted to take two major steps:

First, they have decided it is time to do a major structural/electrical study of our existing building. What are we facing in terms of deferred maintenance? What do we need to do to make sure the building is in good shape for the next 25+ years? (Some of the cosmetic issues -worn front steps, doors difficult to open, worn and stained carpet, missing ceiling tiles, lack of insulation in the sanctuary, etc.- may or may not be matched by deeper structural issues.)

Second, they have decided it is time to partner with a highly competent architectural firm to look at our facility to address not only deferred maintenance issues but also look at improving the building so it functions better for worship, fellowship, study and service.

Both of these steps will cost money, and we'll be looking at existing funds in the church budget, a foundation, or going to the congregation for support. (Our Church Council will vote on these steps when a formal proposal, with numbers and funding, is ready.)

Not to address these issues and to fail to dream about building improvements that could make the structure a better instrument for ministry with future generations is to miss a great opportunity. And to leave coming generations with a building where these needs are not addressed in a comprehensive way is to leave them with a facility that is more a burden than a helpful resource.

We'll be doing this while continuing to finish some elements of the old post office lot, such as fencing and parking lot maintenance and signage, until a more permanent use for the property is determined. We are looking at how a new configuration of church offices might make them more welcoming and more accessible. We are exploring if there are ways to develop some new spaces for adult groups and Sunday school classes. Finally, our Building Committee is working with a local contractor to see that PDO (Parents Day Out daycare) is back in their facilities as soon as possible (with needed improvements having been made).

So, as you might imagine, I found myself thinking of that story Jesus tells in Matthew 7. What all of this is about, of course, isn't creating a more impressive facility to house a religious association than it is about taking care of its own needs. But it is about having a facility that allows us to serve God and faithfully reach out in service to the larger world. This isn't about limestone and mortar and glass, but it is about living out the truth God is giving us in Jesus. When the building consistently demands attention because of repeated emergency needs or design challenges, it is time to resolve those and move on to a focus on people and ministry.

God is calling us to be wise builders. That means making wise, faithful and visionary decisions with our property and buildings so that future generations will be blessed. It also means living out the grace and truth of God...not just talking about it.

Let's get to work!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark

WHERE TO?

One of my favorite people was headed off on vacation. He and his wife were newly married. She would ask, in the weeks leading up to the vacation, "Where are we going?" He would smile and say, "Let's figure it out."

She thought that was cute. She assumed he had a plan and was being mysterious. She told herself that he wanted to surprise her.

When they left the house that first day of vacation, they came to the first intersection and he said, "Which way? Left or right?" She looked surprised and said, "Right." They came to the next intersection and he asked the question again: "Which way? Left or right?" She was really puzzled. "Where are we going on vacation?" she asked. He shrugged and said, "I thought we'd just see where we end up." It was at that point in their young marriage the couple had a conversation about the importance of planning ahead and having a destination in mind.

Congregations, believe it or not, often have no destination in mind. They drift from season to season, guided in one direction by one pastor and then in another direction by his or her successor. They respond to suggestions from members, they react to developments in the community, they become the "church of what's happening now," but they have no clear sense of identity, purpose, mission and priorities.

Last week I mentioned that one of the "BIG FOUR" this year for us is the ministry outreach of The Open Door. The leaders of the church invite you to pray for TOD, support TOD as you speak with friends, and perhaps consider supporting that mission outreach with your presence.

The second of the 'BIG FOUR" this year is our Fruitful Congregations Journey (FCJ). (You'll see a letter below from the laity on the FCJ team asking you to be in prayer for this adventure of discovery.) The purpose of the FCJ experience is to help us gain a clearer understanding of who we are, our mission, and our priorities in this chapter of the life of the church.

Who are we?

What are we about (what is our mission)?

Where are we headed?

What will be the priorities in this next chapter of our life?

From time-to-time this year we will have FCJ presentations in worship, and you will be invited to participate in a sharing/learning session. I hope you will keep your eyes and ears open, I hope you will be in prayer, because our congregation will be facing some significant decisions about our future and how we do ministry. I don't want you to be surprised!

Our FCJ team is reading books that have been helpful in seeing where the church is and where God may be calling the church. For example, in the book "The Externally Focused Church" the authors talk about "common grace." They say "common grace" is where healthy, alive, growing, serving churches should be: that is the place where the circle of the needs/dreams of the community intersect with the circle of the calling of the church and resources of the church, and the circle of God's desire for the world. Where is God calling us to serve the community? How and where can we give ourselves in the name of Christ? The externally focused church is all about giving itself away in service for God. Is that FUMCB? How do we do that? Where are you engaged in that outreach/service?

Luke 9:51 says "Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." He knew who he was and he knew where he was headed.

Where are we and where are we headed? With the help of God working through FCJ, we are about to find out!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark 

SERVING OUT: THE OPEN DOOR

They are a young couple. Just settling into a quiet neighborhood in the middle of a city of more than four million people. It would be easy for them to focus only on putting their own house in shape, but one of the things you notice when you're with them is they make a point of stopping and talking with their neighbors. They've only lived in their house for a few months, but they can tell you about the people who live around them. They can even tell you the names of people's dogs, and that the huge dog next door loves to play with his metal food dish. (This couple looks for ways to help their neighbors out.)

It's striking. Living in that neighborhood doesn't mean walking by people, but for them it means getting to know people...engaging people...having an external focus.

George Barna observes how the Christian churches have been marginalized because they are so isolated from their own neighbors and communities. He says that the church is seen as "an island of piety, surrounded by a sea of irrelevance."

Churches alive with the Spirit of God are communities that refuse to limit their energy and time to activities within the four walls of their buildings, but they are communities that are externally focused (see Rick Rusaw & Eric Swanson's book "The Externally Focused Church"). These churches are involved in their communities, they are looking for ways to serve others, and they are always building relationships with the people around them.

When I think about the ways our Jesus community is engaging the world, serving the community, I think of the Wednesday Food Pantry, Parents' Day Out (PDO) Daycare, the Interfaith Winter Shelter, the Jubilee College Ministry, and The Open Door.

One of the very best ways our church has of reaching, getting to know and serving the larger Bloomington community is The Open Door.

The Open Door is a key way that we, as a faith community, reach out to the larger world. It is one way we have of going beyond our walls and trying to connect with people where they are in a way that "fits" their experience. Through The Open Door we are seeking to build relationships with those who are spiritually hungry but may be hesitant about getting close to "the church." We're trying to go to them rather than passively waiting for them to come to us.

Right now The Open Door team is praying and working to:

• Strengthen the worship experience.
• Grow the ministry we offer to young families and children.
• Look for effective ways to get the word out about The Open Door to the larger community.
• Seek creative ways to serve the community and bless people (whether or not they ever darken the door for worship).
• Develop a core of committed, passionate, creative, serving leaders.
• Nurture genuine community so that people not only share a space for worship but actually know one another...care for one another...and love one another.

Whether you attend The Upper Room, Classic Worship in the Sanctuary, or The Open Door, I invite you to pray for The Open Door, love The Open Door, celebrate God's work through The Open Door, and even consider being a part of that worshiping congregation....or even a team leader. The Open Door is one of the key ways we reach out and serve...as a missional community.

There are all kinds of things you could say about Jesus, but one thing that is certainly true is that he was always going to people...where they were. And as his people, this is exactly what we should be doing...going out...to God's people...where they are!

In Christ and for Christ,

Mark