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February 2012 Vision. What is vision? Webster defines Vision as the act or power of seeing. It also says that vision is an unusual discernment or foresight. This month I would like to talk about the later definition. In my first six months at Davis Street UMC, I have met an incredible faith community. As you have shared your stories of life at DSUMC, the life-long friendships formed, and the hilarious fellowship times of the past, you have expressed a desire to return to those days. Well, we can't return. But we can move forward. And that is exactly what we are going to do. God has gifted this church in so many ways, depth of faith, hospitality, great facilities to name a few. We would be bad stewards of what God has given us if we did not plan on moving forward into the future, building on the foundation laid in the past. I'm very excited that Carol Goehring, Executive Director of Church Revitalization is coming to help us discern the steps we should take to make disciples of Jesus Christ in 2012. In 28 years of ministry, she has worked with congregations of all sizes, in many diverse locations, helping them to make disciples. She comes to us with an enthusiasm that is contagious. Carol will be meeting with a small team of leaders and members who have expressed an interest to guide us in a discernment process. Our target – Becoming a church that is attractive to those under 40 without losing those over 60 . Some have said that is impossible. I do not believe it. This is Mission Possible. For over 2000 years the church has been multigenerational, and I do not hear God saying that should change. Young people need the wisdom and mentoring that comes from experience. Us older folks rejoice in the joy that comes when a person makes Jesus their Lord and Savior. Since I have announced this in a sermon a couple of weeks ago, I've been flooded with a lot of questions. I thought I would repeat the answers I gave in a newsletter for those too shy to ask. Q. What will this cost us? A. Nothing. This is paid for from the annual conference, which is supported by our giving to apportionments. The cost would be significant if we were paying an outside consultant. Q. Does this mean worship is going to change? I hate loud bands. A. Our worship service, which is a blended worship service because it already utilizes multiple styles of music, will not change in design. You have already made the difficult decisions in rearranging your chancel area for a larger choir, video screens for easier visibility of lyrics, and the sound system. I hate loud bands too. All music must run through the sound system for sound control, recording, and for transmission to the hearing devices. I do not anticipate any worship wars starting, as we already do worship well. If a new style of worship is needed, a new service would be added. We do not take away from what already works. Q. Are you going to stop wearing your robe? A. No. It hides a multitude of fashion sins. Q. Does this mean a change in staff? A. Davis Street has an outstanding staff that is extremely versatile and committed to God. My philosophy is to not change what is working. We should be thanking God every day for our staff – paid and volunteer. Q. This is a lost cause. We are too old for young people to want to come join us. A. NOT!!! It is true that we are in a post-Christian era, where the majority of our neighbors were not raised in a church. However, they profess to be spiritual and to be seeking God. We are in a great position to help them find what they are looking for. Q. You keep saying nothing is going to change. Why bother with this exercise then? A. This “exercise” is not busy work. It is a group of dedicated believers seeking God's face about our future, discerning God's will, and then making plans to implement God's will. We are a great church for those who have grown up in the church. We will probably need to be more outward facing to reach those under 40. They are looking for relevancy. They want to see that we walk the talk. They want to see that we practice loving our neighbor. They often come in through mission opportunities that we open up to anyone to participate in. After they figure out we are real, then they consider a small group study/fellowship opportunity. Only after participation in these things, do they tend to come to church. When they do, that famous Davis Street Hospitality takes over, and y'all love them into the body of Christ. We expect this first phase of discernment to be finished by Easter and presented to the Church Council right after that. The Church Council will then determine what we as a church should take on, and help us in implementing those plans. This is more than dreaming sessions. This is dreaming with a measurable plan to be implemented. Nothing will be implemented without consensus of the Church Council, who you elected at Charge Conference. Please keep the visioning team in your prayers. They will be contacting many of you to hear your stories of love and concern for DSUMC. Please welcome them and share with them, so we may discern correctly where God wants us to lead Burlington NC. God loves you, and so do I! Ellen email ellen.mccubbin@gmail.com |
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Davis Street United Methodist Church |
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