No doubt about it, the world needs disciples who are willing to engage in courageous ministry, who want more from their walk with Jesus then simply sitting in a pew. The world is crying for a church that moves beyond its wall, beyond its borders, and meets people in relationship, which is the place where we share the love of Jesus.
SHIFT is a process that helps congregations become more effective in ministry. This exciting and relevant training will provide concrete steps and an immediately useful process that local churches can take, apply them to their context and Spirit-led creativity, then move to implementation. Past participating congregations are engaging in increasingly vital ministry that brings them into communion with Jesus, communion with one another, and communion to the world beyond their doors. 
As Alan Lamm, a lay participant, noted: “SHIFT helps you become more aware of those things that help you become a better disciple.” Or as Pastor Dan Baer stated, “SHIFT helps you become more engaged in ministry in worship, and then take worship beyond the confines of the church building.”
The Shift process empowers us to move:
- From Membership to Discipleship
- From Fellowship to Hospitality
- From Worship as Event to Worship as Lifestyle
- From Self to Others – Service & Generosity
Congregational leadership teams, consisting of the pastor and 5 key lay persons, will meet one Saturday each month in a community setting over nine months for training. Coaches will then work pastors and leadership teams to begin the implication of learned skills and disciple-making processes in ways that are relevant in the local church’s setting. Coaches will also gather periodically with pastors for further tools specific training.
The schedule for training events will be:
• October 14: Orientation/Action Planning
• November 4: Membership to Discipleship Part 1
• December 2: Membership to Discipleship Part 2
• January 6: Fellowship to Hospitality Part 1
• February 3: Fellowship to Hospitality Part 2
• March 3: Worship as Event to Worship as Life-style
• April 7: From Self to Others Part 1
• May 5: From Self to Others Part 2
• June 2: Shift and Beyond – Putting it all Together
The cost for the full training, including manuals, all materials, and coaching is $350 per congregational team. Scholarships are Available.
Discipleship, Hospitality, Worship as Life, Serving and Generosity – these actions flow from communion with Jesus and form us more deeply as the Body of Christ where we can indeed engage in vital ministry that transforms the world. Come and be part of this incredible journey.
To register, please contact Beverly Elingburg at belingburg@nccumc.org or 919-779-6115 ext. 260 before September 15. 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.