Hi!

So I'm looking for some feedback on several items.

First of all my church is looking to start adult mission work. Anyone have any experience with that? I'm looking for organizational tips and who you've been involved with, i.e. UMCOR or VIM or someone else. This is coming from some laity so I want to nurture them with as much information as possible.

Second, are you all addressing the current global economic crisis in your churches? If so, how? Is anybody doing anything special with your budget to reflect this? I feel as if my church is currently focused on other matters and we have not given this series of events its proper consideration. I'm extremely nervous to think that we're going to really feel the crunch this winter as heating costs go up and people's expendable income goes down. Also I'm interested to see how people are responding to the increasing needs of the community. I don't know about you but we have more people coming in asking for money than ever before...and the demand on our local soup kitchen has increased. I can imagine it will only get worse this winter.

And finally, how do you all deal with ineffective staff? I find myself stuck between knowing the work that needs to be done with some staff that doesn't get it done, and being told the as a church we can't hire and fire as regular businesses do. This is mostly for my information as I have little say in staffing being the young associate (sometimes playing this card pays off!).

Oh and by the way. I found The Divine Conspiracy difficult to begin with but the more I get into it the better I enjoy it. Just words of hope for anyone who might be struggling with the beginning.

Blessings,
Alexis

Still Sharing...

Ok, so I thought we had a covenant to blog our progress / struggles. I know it has been a little disconnected with summer and not really getting together, but lets keep sharing.

I'll get us going again by sharing a few things:

1. Since SCD I have been working toward a little restructuring of committees based upon the "Discipline" believe it or not. This is taking more work than I thought with ingrained beliefs about what is what and who is who. For example, the fact that the Lay Leadership Committee is primarily suppose to identify, support, and train lay leadership in the church rather than just nominate individuals. Or the fact that the AD Board acts like the charge conference every time we meet rather than the committee to oversee nurture, outreach, and witness ministries. However, we have a plan for 2009 to begin realigning a couple of those things.
   
2. I have been more involved outside the church: coaching soccer, leading an ecumenical Bible Quiz group of kids 3-6th grade at the school (After hours) Along with trying to keep up the prayer walking.
3. Geneseo has been actively bringing 9-10 members to the 5 practices workshops. (Thanks to the conference for these opportunities) That integrated with the Joel council has seen a lot of growth in the way we vision ministry. The last session was particularly encouraging as everyone laughed at most of the recommendations for radical hospitality and passionate worship noting that we have already implemented most of it.
4. In the last 6 weeks, we have had virtually one visiting or new family every week. (This is a big thing in our rural setting) The majority have comeback every week since. (At least two of the families are coming because they noticed our large play ground we installed last year and came over to use it during the summer, which was where I was able to first meet them)
5. Not only did we have another first time visitor this week, but after the service during Sunday school and fellowship, a man walked in, asked for me then went into the sanctuary and waited. After confirmation class, I went in and talked with him for 3.5 hours. He was someone who I met this summer prayer walking, someone I felt like shrugged me off. But he was facing a situation he could not handle on his own, and because he remembered we were praying for him, it was the only place he could think of to get help. (His name is Wes, he could use a few extra prayers)

This answered some of my prayers, that God would reveal to me and to the church that our obedience to pray for our community would show some very evident fruit. (He is not the only one who has been coming to church as a result)
Pray for me that I make time to get back out there and walk. The fall schedule has really put a damper on it.

I am praying for each of you that God would bless your ministries and fill you with abundant peace and hope by the power of Christ's resurrection. Let's keep sharing, CF