We get it. Books, articles, webinars, and zooms are coming at you from every direction, all supporting your maneuver through these challenging times. We are grateful for – and need – each one of these resources.
But, that said, don’t miss this one – the one that offers a process for congregations to become more effective in hands-on ministry, more engaged in hospitality, and more intentional about developing followers of Jesus who understand the call to go and make disciples. The need is great: 50% of the people in your community do not experience the love of Jesus Christ through involvement in a faith-based community.
The world is crying out for a church that moves beyond its walls, sharing the love of Christ and meeting people in relationship. After St. Luke UMC (Goldsboro) participated in SHIFT, pastor Dan Baer reflected, “SHIFT helps you become more engaged in ministry in worship, and then take worship beyond the confines of the church building.” This is truly the hospitality of the Body of Christ. This exciting and relevant training will provide concrete steps and a useful process that local churches can adapt and implement to their unique context and Spirit-led creativity.
SHIFT empowers congregations to show Christ’s love through:
• Authentic Relationships
• Radical Hospitality
• Passionate Worship
• Intentional Discipleship
• Impactful Service
• Extravagant Generosity
Forming authentic relationships, creating passionate worship experiences, exercising intentional discipleship: these actions flow from communion with Jesus and bind us more deeply as the Body of Christ, empowering us to engage in vital ministry that transforms our church and the world around us.
Congregational leadership teams, consisting of the pastor and five-to-ten key lay persons, will meet for training one Saturday each month for nine months in a community setting. Coaches will work with pastors and leadership teams to implement learned skills and disciple-making processes in ways that are relevant to the local church’s setting. Coaches will also gather periodically with pastors for further specific training.
The cost for the full training, including manuals, materials, and coaching, is $350 per congregational team. Scholarships are available. SHIFT meetings will begin September 2020.
Come and join with us in the journey, enmeshed in God’s Spirit and immersed in God’s love, increasing our congregational effectiveness to live deeply as disciples of Jesus for the hope of the world just beyond our church doors.
To register, please contact Beverly Elingburg at belingburg@nccumc.org or 919-779-6115 ext. 260 before July 31. For more information, or if you would like someone to come and speak with your congregational team, contact Steve Taylor at staylor@nccumc.org or 919.349-1831.